In the upcoming federal election, four parties already have candidates named to contest the North Island-Powell River riding.
Incumbent Rachel Blaney (NDP) and Port McNeill councillor Shelley Downey (Conservative Party), who finished first and second respectively in 2019, will vie for the seat again. Comox human rights lawyer Jessica Wegg will run for the Green Party, and Stacey Gastis, a veterinarian from the Comox area, has joined the race as a Maverick Party candidate. The Liberal Party has yet to announce its candidate.
The September 20 election comes less than two years after the October 21 vote in 2019. Blaney won the riding with 37.8 per cent (23,481) of the votes, five percentage points ahead of Downey (20,131).
The Green Party’s Mark de Bruijn came third, earning 8,899 votes (14 per cent), and Liberal Peter Schwarzhoff came fourth, with 8,151 votes.
Prime minister Justin Trudeau asked governor general Mary Simon to dissolve parliament on August 15, triggering a 36-day campaign period.
When parliament dissolved, the Liberals held 155 seats, followed by the Conservatives (119). Bloc Quebecois held 32 seats, followed by the NDP (24) and Greens (two).
Five MPs were sitting as independents, with one vacancy.
