What is this election all about?

Tamara Davidson, BC NDP

This election is about people. Too many people are struggling right now and they need a government and MLA in their corner.

In difficult times, you deserve a government that’s on your side—that has your back. Not one that will leave you to fend for yourself while helping those who already have the most.

I’m ready to get to work for you and the issues you care about like housing, reconciliation, health care, and local infrastructure. It’s about making sure you not only get by, but get ahead.

Chris Sankey, BC Conservative Party

This election is about bringing the voices of North Coast-Haida Gwaii communities to Victoria, and not the NDP agenda to the riding. 

I’ve spoken with hundreds of people at the door, on the phones, by email and on social media and the one clear message I’m hearing is that after seven years of NDP rule, everything is worse and yet people are being ignored by Victoria.

The voices of our people, and the votes, are taken for granted here. People are hungry for change and are fed up with being ignored by a party of urban elites who don’t understand us.

What will you do to avoid more ER closures on Haida Gwaii?

Tamara Davidson, BC NDP

Health care should always be there when you need it, and I know how stressful interruptions to services can be, especially for anyone in an emergency situation.

We need our emergency rooms open. That’s why we’re taking action to train and hire more doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers than ever before—with a special focus on recruitment and retention for places like Haida Gwaii which are experiencing shortages. 

If elected, I will work closely with Northern Health, local governments, and communities to help attract more doctors and nurses to this wonderful place we call home. 

Chris Sankey, BC Conservative Party

Plain and simple: I commit to ensuring the ER will not close by getting the nurse to patient ratio to a level that supports patients’ needs, nurse safety, and quality care.

In Smithers when they implemented a 1:4 nurse-to-patient ratio pilot project, nurse vacancies went from 60 per cent to 20 per cent in six months.

We can do this on Haida Gwaii. We’ll cut bureaucracy and red tape to ensure frontline health-care workers get the support they need to serve patients.

What can you do to make housing more affordable here?

Tamara Davidson, BC NDP

Haida Gwaii is a fantastic place to live, but housing is too expensive. Homebuyers are up against high interest rates and need more support.

We believe everyone should be able to afford a home and build a good life here on Haida Gwaii. Experts say our plan will create 300,000 middle-income homes across the province. We’re seeing the impacts already here in Haida Gwaii, with more supportive/affordable homes in Daajing Giids and Skidegate and in progress for Masset and Old Massett.

We’re also helping first-time homebuyers by enabling them to pay just 60 per cent of their home’s price initially, with the remaining 40 per cent due only when they sell—or after 25 years—and their equity in the home has grown. 

We’ve got lots more to do and we can’t stop now.

Chris Sankey, BC Conservative Party

A Conservative government will fix B.C.’s housing crisis by cutting red tape, speeding up housing approvals, and delivering real affordability. The Get BC Building plan will streamline approvals, pre-zone areas, and let professionals work without unnecessary delays. 

The Rustad Rebate will remove B.C. income taxes from $3,000 per month of housing costs, providing immediate relief to renters and homeowners. We’ll also repeal hidden taxes that drive up construction costs.

By unlocking land for new towns and encouraging rental development, our plan ensures more affordable housing and a chance for every British Columbian to own a home.

What have you learned about the current approach to the opioid crisis?

Tamara Davidson, BC NDP

The toxic-drug crises and addictions have impacted so many of our communities. The losses are devastating—these are our family, our friends, and our neighbours. 

This is a complex problem with complex solutions and we’re taking action on all fronts to fight the toxic drug crisis, save lives, and get people treatment so they can recover. I am ready to work with health-care providers and experts on the ground on the best way forward.

We need to keep doing everything we can to fight the toxic-drug crisis and get more people treatment and the help they need.

Chris Sankey, BC Conservative Party

As a former addict, honestly, there wasn’t anything I needed to learn about the NDP and David Eby’s “free drugs for all” policy. It unleashed death and destruction on families all across our riding and it hit Indigenous communities particularly hard. Our people are being decimated and it’s because Eby and Trudeau don’t care. 

They’ve given up on us and our communities and let free drugs flow, killing our children and our grandchildren.

This needs to stop and under a Conservative government we would focus on treatment, prevention, detox, and mental health with $1 billion in investments towards care and treatment.

What are some key Haida Gwaii infrastructure projects that need work?  

Tamara Davidson, BC NDP

We’re taking action to invest in Haida Gwaii. We’ve provided Daajing Giids with $20 million for their wastewater project and approved the $250-million Resource Benefits Alliance which has allowed communities like Masset to repave their whole town.

Of course, there are still big problems we need to tackle, not least the problem of highway erosion (especially in Tlell), strengthening internet access, investing in green energy and the need to support public schools and create more childcare spaces.

These will all be priorities for me if I’m elected as your MLA. 

Chris Sankey, BC Conservative Party

The NDP has utterly failed to invest in our communities. After seven years of NDP governance, all we have is bottlenecks, delays, and inefficiencies. British Columbians deserve better.

We have committed to investing $1 billion to improve local infrastructure and as your MLA I will fight to get as much of that to Haida Gwaii as possible. 

Infrastructure is a critical part of community growth. We will continue to invest in our highways and waterways, which will help bring investment in much needed housing, roads, social services, education, and frontline workers.

What is one issue not getting enough attention this election?

Tamara Davidson, BC NDP

For Haida Gwaii in particular I think it is ferries. They’re not just a means of transportation—they’re the lifeline that connects our communities, supports our economy, and provides access to essential services.

Last time John Rustad was in power, he cut services and increased fares, making life harder for people on Haida Gwaii and especially for those in Sandspit. The BC NDP restored those sailings and extended the peak-season schedule.

Given that John Rustad wants to cut services to give tax breaks to the richest, I’m worried that support for BC Ferries would be on his chopping block.

Chris Sankey, BC Conservative Party

Youth have been completely ignored by this government. It’s why those 18 to 35 are one of the largest voting segments supporting the Conservative Party of B.C. 

Youth and those entering the workforce feel like their opportunities for success are dwindling. As your MLA I’ll work to lower the cost of housing, bring in more treatment and prevention for mental health and addictions, and provide more employment training and support for youth.

I will advocate for more services direct to youth to ensure they are connected to our communities and they can see hope for their futures and realize their dreams.