Vancouver Island North

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 Washington 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.

Twelve per cent of residents are immigrants and nine per cent are aboriginal. Ninety per cent speak English as their mother tongue. French and German come next – about two per cent each.

The economy of Vancouver Island North is based on forestry and fishing, with retail trade and the service sector also providing many of the riding's jobs. The 2006 census found an average family income of $68,472 and an unemployment rate of 7.8 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: 113,356 (2006 census; an increase of 3.6% since 2001)

Political History

New Democrat Catherine Bell came out on top in 2006, beating Conservative incumbent John Duncan by just 630 votes in another close race between the two.

In 2004, Duncan beat Bell by 364 votes. Duncan won this seat for Reform in 1993. His margin of victory in 2000 was 12,752 votes over Liberal Daniel Smith.

Historically, the New Democrats have dominated Comox-Alberni, although 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
• 2006 - NDP