Haida Gwaii voters look set for a two-way race in the upcoming B.C. election: orange or blue.
As of press time Sept. 9, only two candidates have started campaigning to represent North Coast-Haida Gwaii in the B.C. legislature: Tamara Davidson of the BC NDP and Chris Sankey of the BC Conservative Party.
Candidates have until Sept. 28 to officially register.
The BC Green Party is still seeking a local candidate. But BC United, the only other party that won seats last election, is unlikely to field a candidate after leader Kevin Falcon suspended the party’s province-wide campaign Aug. 28 and urged supporters to back the BC Conservative Party instead.
An Angus Reid poll taken Aug. 30 suggested the BC Conservatives and BC NDP are essentially tied, with 44 and 43 per cent popular support among decided voters and voters leaning toward one party. The BC Greens stood at 10 per cent.Â
Another 11 per cent remained undecided.
Formerly known as North Coast, the local riding was renamed North Coast-Haida Gwaii for this election. The largest population centre in the riding by far is Prince Rupert, followed by Haida Gwaii, the Bella Coola valley, Bella Bella, and Lax Kw’alaams.
Once the election is called on Sept. 21, Haida Gwaii voters will have several ways to cast a ballot in advance of the final voting day on Saturday, Oct. 19.
On island, voters can cast advance ballots at the Daajing Giids Community Hall or Howard Phillips Community Hall between Oct. 10 and Oct. 13.
People can also vote by mail. The last day to request a vote-by-mail package is Oct. 13.
On the final voting day, Oct. 19, additional voting places will open at the community halls in Sandspit, Skidegate, Port Clements, Old Massett and at the Tlell firehall.
Voters who register get a Where to Vote card from Elections BC, and bringing the card to the polls will make voting quicker. Visit elections.bc.ca or phone 1-800-661-8683 to register by Oct. 7.