ADAM WALKER
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
Independent
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
Yes, whole life.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
Incumbent MLA, previously served on Council. Small tech business owner and farmer.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
While increased homelessness, unaffordable housing, and rapid growth straining natural resources affect us all, the most pressing issue is the lack of access to family doctors. Over 12,000 people in Oceanside and thousands more in Ladysmith are waiting—many for over three years. If 25% of our children couldn’t attend school due to lack of space, we’d act immediately; we must do the same for healthcare. With the government’s recent cancellation of a new health-centre in Coombs, it’s clear we must act locally. As the former independent MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, we’ve developed plans for a new 15-room health-centre in Oceanside.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
As the former MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, I prioritized direct engagement with constituents. Every email or phone call was followed by an invitation to speak with me, resulting in nearly 3,000 constituent meetings over the past four years. In the past year, I hosted five town halls on critical issues like healthcare, ferries and housing. I attended summer markets, visited classrooms and worksites, and collaborated with non-profits and small businesses to understand their challenges. During this election, I’m knocking on doors, holding meet-and-greets, attending all the all-candidates forums, and hosting one-on-one Zoom meetings with constituents.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
As MLA over the past four years, I’ve witnessed a reactive government addressing crises with short-term fixes, not long-term solutions. Implementing housing reforms without consulting communities disrupted long-term planning. Shifting doctors from hospitals to family practice solved one issue but created another. Simply throwing money at problems isn’t sustainable. I envision a future where hard-working people can afford to live in their communities, everyone has access to a family doctor, and British Columbia prioritizes its natural environment. We need a government that manages challenges with social and fiscal responsibility by electing representatives who prioritize communities over party politics.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
As the MLA for the past four years, I’ve built strong relationships with local non-profits, local government, and the broader community. When addressing contentious issues within our riding, I focus on our shared values and goals to find common ground. I’ve hosted numerous town halls over the past year, fostering open and transparent dialogue. While not everyone always agrees, these discussions allow us to collaboratively develop solutions to challenging problems. By maintaining open communication and engaging all members of our community, I believe we can overcome divisions and work together effectively.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
Absolutely. As an independent MLA, I am free to vote solely based on what is best for my constituents. When I was part of a political party, I was always required to vote along party lines, and even my statements to the media were written by the party. Since becoming independent, I have never felt more free or better able to do my job. I believe in representing my community without compromise, and I have no intention of returning to a party where I might have to put party politics above the needs of my constituents.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
Having served as MLA for our communities for four years—both within a party and as an independent—I have a proven track record. This dual experience has given me a thorough understanding of the role and the flexibility to serve my constituents effectively. I’ve built a strong network within our community and led a dedicated team of six staff members. As an independent MLA, my office budget is double that of party MLAs, allowing me to provide more comprehensive services. I’m excited to operate full-service offices in both Qualicum Beach and Ladysmith to better serve our constituents.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
I am running because I believe in solving local issues with local solutions. We have developed a plan for a health centre in Parksville, which I am eager to implement after the next election. People have waited too long for a family doctor, and with the support of a strong team and community, we can make meaningful change. By working collaboratively, we can address important local issues like expanding addiction treatment, providing affordable housing, and enhancing environmental protection. It has been an absolute honour to serve the people of Parksville-Qualicum, and I hope to continue the important work we’ve started together.​
ABOUT LADYSMITH-OCEANSIDE
Ladysmith-Oceanside is a new electoral district for 2024. It combines parts of the former Parksville-Qualicum and Nanaimo-North Cowichan ridings.
Both of those went NDP in the last election. Only one incumbent, Adam Walker, is running again — this time as an Independent. (He he was ousted from the NDP caucus because he tried to fire a unionized employee at his constituency office).
Running for the NDP this time is former school board trustee and small-business owner Stephanie Higginson.
The Green candidate is Laura Ferreira, while the Conservatives are represented by Brett Fee.
THE CANDIDATES IN LADYSMITH-OCEANSIDE
The candidates this election are:
- Conservative Brett Fee
- Green Party candidate Laura Ferreira
- New Democrat Stephanie Higginson
- Independent candidate Adam Walker
See the full list of Vancouver Island candidates here. We are posting the candidate questionnaires riding by riding.
ABOUT THE PROFILES
We asked readers what they wanted to ask candidates and used those answers to help shape our election coverage, including candidate questionnaires.
The answers are presented as submitted by the candidates, edited only for length if they exceeded the word limit they were given. We did not correct grammar, spelling or typos.
See an error or something that needs to be changed? You can report it to [email protected] or use the report a typo link below.
