Saanich - Gulf Islands

This suburban-rural riding is north of Victoria on the southeast corner of Vancouver Island.

North, Central and East Saanich are here, as are the Gulf Islands and part of the Capital Regional District.

The 2006 census found that more than 22 per cent of the riding's residents are immigrants and three per cent are aboriginals. Twenty-two per cent are older than age 65.

Tourism is big business in this riding, thanks to Victoria International Airport, the Gulf Islands and Butchart Gardens. The average family income is $88,665 and the unemployment rate is 4.1 per cent.

Saanich-Gulf Islands was created in 1986, deriving the bulk of its residents from the old Esquimalt-Saanich riding. In 1996, 18 per cent of the riding's residents were carved away.

Population: 115,724 (2006 census; an increase of 4.9% since 2001)

Political History

Gary Vincent Lunn has held this seat since 1997 under Reform, Alliance and Conservative banners. In 2006, he fought off New Democrat Jennifer Burgis and Liberal Sheila Orr, who were separated by just 301 votes. In 2004, Lunn defeated Liberal David Mulroney by 4,968 votes.

From 1953 to 1988, the Tories won all but one election in this riding. Then New Democrat Lynn Hunter served a single term. She was subsequently replaced by Reform's Jack Frazer.

• 1988 - NDP
• 1993, 1997 - REF
• 2000 - CA
• 2004, 2006 - CON