PROVINCIAL ELECTION: OUR PLAN
As the B. C. election campaign begins today, so too does The Vancouver Sun’s coverage of the people and issues that will help you determine how to cast your vote on May 14.
THE RIDINGS Starting today, we will launch a 14- part series in print and online on the ridings to watch throughout the province. We begin with Oak Bay- Gordon Head ( see page A7) and then move on to the others. We invite you to share your thoughts on these choices and make suggestions of your own. 1. Oak Bay- Gordon Head: Andrew Weaver will be looking to commandeer the Green machinery that helped give Donald Galloway a strong showing in similar territory during the federal byelection. 2. Vancouver Point Grey: Home to Premier Christy Clark, this is a swing riding that could go Liberal or NDP. 3. Burnaby North: Another swing riding that could go NDP if the numbers hold. The Liberals have also made missteps on the issue of replacing Burnaby Hospital, which has not played well in the riding. 4. Burnaby Lougheed: See above. 5. Delta South: Independent Vicki Huntington beat former attorney general Wally Oppal in the last election, by just 32 votes, but has failed to make much of a splash since and could struggle to hold her seat. 6. Surrey Tynehead: While the Liberals are strong in SurreyCloverdale and Surrey- White Rock, this riding could go NDP. 7. Surrey- Panorama: See above. 8. Vancouver Fairview: Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid will face a tough challenge against social and environmental activist George Heyman, who knocked off Vancouver councillor Geoff Meggs in the NDP nomination process. 9. Chilliwack- Hope: Gwen O’Mahony won this Liberal stronghold in the byelection, when the vote- splitting Conservatives were riding high. She could be one of the few NDP incumbents who have trouble keeping their seat. 10. Saanich North and the Islands: Just 245 votes separated the winning Liberal and NDP candidate during the last election, and it’s expected to be just as close this time around. 11. Abbots ford South: With Liberal- turned- Conservative-turned-Independent John van Dongen taking on Liberal Darryl Plecas and the NDP’s Lakhvinder Jhaj, this is defi nitely a riding to watch:
12. Kamloops North and South Thompson: Nowhere is the jobs versus-environment debate raging louder than in these two ridings, and Kamloops votes in the election could be a sign of how the province will decide these debates. 13. Prince George Mackenzie and Valemont: These two swing ridings typically go with the government, which should make them hunting grounds for the NDP.
THE LEADERS On Saturday, we run the first of four in- depth, weekend profi les on the party leaders: the NDP’s Adrian Dix, Liberal Christy Clark, Conservative John Cummins and the Green party’s Jane Sterk.
THE ISSUES From education to health, resource extraction to the environment, federal- provincial relations to housing, our writers look at the key issues and where our leaders stand.
THE BLOGOSPHERE The public has never been closer to the campaigns thanks to the digital revolution. The Sun recruited neophyte candidates Steve Kim, Liberal; Matt Toner, NDP; Barinder Hans, Green party; and Duane Nickull, Conservative, to blog from inside the campaign in the Sun’s See How They Run feature.
THE VIDEOS Delivering the news in the format that works best for you is a cornerstone of The Sun’s campaign coverage. The Sun’s video vignettes — produced by Sun staff and a team of seven students from Kwantlen Polytechnic University — will keep you up to speed on the campaign as it unfolds.
PUBLIC DIALOGUE Connecting you, the voter, with the campaign is an imperative of The Vancouver Sun’s coverage. To that end, The Sun has partnered with SFU’s Sharon Manson Singer to bring the voices of the province to the fore during a public dialogue April 29. The crossprovince panel will explore the issues that matter most to British Columbians.
IN ADDITION ... The Sun will bring you all the news of the day, coverage from the buses and other special features, including the most comprehensive examination to date of political donors. This is your election, your decision, and we invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions with us. Connect with the issues at vancouversun. com/ election SETTING IT STRAIGHT The Varsity Ridge bowling alley is still open indefinitely. Incorrect information was published in The Vancouver Sun on Saturday.