Ridings
300 Vancouver Island North
2006 Candidates:
RIDING PROFILE
Vancouver Island North has the Pacific Ocean as its western boundary and
the Strait of Georgia as its border in the southeast. The regional districts
of Comox-Strathcona and Mount Waddington are here, as is the southern
part of the Central Coast Regional District.
Communities include Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, Port McNeil, Port
Alice, Port Hardy and Alert Bay. Much of the riding is remote, with access
only by water or air.
More than 12 per cent of residents are immigrants and about four per
cent are aboriginal.
The economy of Vancouver Island North is based on forestry and fishing.
The average family income here was $57,983 in 2001, and unemployment was
11.9 per cent.
This riding was created in 1996 by combining sections of North Island-Powell River and Comox-Alberni. Virtually no changes were made in the 2004 redistribution.
Population: 109,380
Political History
In 2004, Conservative John Duncan beat New Democrat Catherine Bell in
this riding by just 483 votes. Duncan won this seat for Reform in 1993.
His margin of victory in 2000 was 12,752 votes over Liberal Daniel Smith.
Historically, Comox-Alberni was dominated by New Democrats, though a
Liberal won the riding in 1974 and a Tory took it in 1984. North Island-Powell
River also had New Democrat roots.
Vancouver Island North:
1997 - REF
2000 - CA
2004 - CON
CANDIDATE PROFILES
John Duncan
Party: Conservative Party of Canada
Birth Date: Dec. 19, 1948
Age: 57
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Man.
Education: Holds a B.Sc. in forestry from the University of British Columbia
Profession: Forester
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Mary
Children: Adrienne, Ian and Natalie
Career Background: From 1976 - 1993, he was a divisional forester and contract supervisor for MacMillan Bloedel on Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands. He was also president of the Queen Charlotte Islands Chamber of Commerce, and is founding president of the Port Clements Historical Society.
Electoral History
Municipal: From 1982-1983, served as alderman for Ucluelet Village council
Federal:Elected in North Island-Powell River in 1993; elected in Vancouver Island North in 1997, 2000 and 2004
Political History
Committee: Former vice-chair: Fisheries and Oceans. Former member: Fisheries and Oceans; Natural Resources and Government Operations; Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Member: Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Natural Resources
Caucus: Has served as chair of the B.C. Caucus. Former critic for: Aboriginal Affairs; Fisheries and Oceans Critic; Forestry and Mining; International Trade. Became the Conservative party Indian Affairs and Northern Development critic in January 2004
Campaign Address:
(250) 287-3829
Michael Mascall
Party: Green Party of Canada
Age: 55
Education: MA in Economics (University of London)
Profession: Economist
Career Background: Has worked for large engineering firms and the World Bank evaluating projects ranging from very large to very
small. These have included subsidies paid to the B.C. industrial forest sector
Community Activities: Chair of the Sierra Club of Canada, B.C. Chapter, and is currently a director of the Friends of Nemiah
Valley
Electoral History
Federal: Green candidate for the North Island in the 1993 federal election
Campaign Address:
(250) 285-2330
mmascall@greenparty.ca
Jim Mitchell
Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Birth Date: Jan. 19, 1961
Age: 44
Birthplace: Hamilton, Ont.
Career Background: Worked in the logging industry during the early 1980's. In 1986 returned to Ontario where he completed an
apprenticeship and received a trade qualification as a tool and die maker. Returned to Gold River in 1994 and was hired by Strathcona
Fuels as a driver, where he is employed today
Electoral History
Municipal: Elected to the Gold River City Council in 2001 and was re-elected in 2003 with over 80% of the vote.
Recently appointed by the mayor to assist in a Community Futures Forum
Political History
Party: Has participated in many campaigns as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada
Campaign Address:
(250) 286-9828
Catherine Bell
Party: New Democratic Party
Profession: Cook
Marital Status: Partner
Name of Spouse: Roger
Children: Aoungus and Rod
Career Background: Former vice-president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union.
Community Activities: Member of the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C.; served on the social justice committee of the B.C. Federation of Labour. She is a member and volunteer with the World Community Development Education Society, Co-Development Canada, the Comox Valley Coalition to Save Social Programs and the Comox Valley Women to Women Global Strategies.
Electoral History
Federal: Defeated in Vancouver Island North in 2004
Campaign Addresses:
#105- 501- 4th Street, Courtenay, B.C.
(250) 338-9381
830- 13th St., Campbell River, B.C.
(250) 287-3485
7125 Market St., Port Hardy, B.C.
(250) 949-6838
catherinebell@ndp.ca
www.catherinebellndp.ca
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