DARLENE ROTCHFORD
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
BC NDP. About a decade
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
Yes, since 2011 – I have lived in Colwood, View Royal and now live in Esquimalt.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
• I have been a mental health and addictions worker with Island Health for 18 years
• I have also been a municipal councillor in Esquimalt since October 2022
• I served as President of the Victoria Labour Council for 3 years and was on the executive for several years prior to that.
• I served on the Board of the United Way Southern Vancouver Island for the past year and was on the Labour Committee prior to that
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
In my time as an Esquimalt councilor and talking to people throughout Esquimalt-Colwood, a top concern people share with me is housing affordability. Our community is a great place to live, but housing is expensive. I’ve heard too many stories of long-time residents losing their housing and being forced to leave our community because they couldn’t find a new rental in their budget. David Eby is taking action to ensure everyone can afford a good home with the $400 renters’ rebate, a crackdown on standalone short-term rentals, and capping rent increases to inflation — but we need to finish the job.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
I have lived here for 14 years, including Colwood, View Royal and now Esquimalt with my family – my constituents are my neighbours, friends and colleagues. I’ve been a councillor in Esquimalt for two years and know what matters in our communities, such as affordable housing and access to health care. Rain or shine you’ll find me at local events – especially the farmer’s market where I am the council liaison. Since my nomination I’ve been knocking on doors every day, introducing myself and hearing what’s top of mind for people.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
BC is a great place to live, but it’s not always easy. We’re still feeling fallout from the pandemic, global inflation and high interest rates. I want to continue the work of our BC NDP government to make BC a place where people can get ahead and feel secure. Where your paycheck helps you save each month. Where healthcare is always there when you need it, especially by continuing to expand access to treatment and recovery. Where everyone can afford a good home. And where, as our communities grow, we continue to expand infrastructure and public transit for people.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
In my personal, professional, and volunteer roles I am a collaborator. I live in and have deep connections in the riding, which means that I can draw on personal relationships to better understand all sides of an issue. My experience as a municipal councillor has taught me the importance of listening to people to get to the heart of the issue, and also to think creatively and collaborate across all levels of government to find solutions. I don’t shy away from tough conversations and am an experienced leader from my time as president of the Victoria Labour Council.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
I am running to represent the people in my community and that is why I have chosen to run with the BC NDP and David Eby. I know that the BC NDP will deliver results on the top priorities of my constituents like building homes, lowering costs, and hiring more doctors. I’m also proud to be running alongside a team of candidates that reflect the diversity of our province and I know that no matter my constituents’ lived experience they will have representation. Voters want to know what the parties stand for, and that they will stand by those commitments.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
I’ve lived in the riding for 14 years and coupled with my experience on Esquimalt council, I know the people, the challenges and the opportunities of our community. I’m an experienced leader having served as president of the Victoria Labour Council, on the Board of the United Way Southern Vancouver Island, and on council, and I’m a fierce advocate for people in my role as mental health and addictions worker. I’m ready to work hard to represent the people of Colwood, Esquimalt, View Royal and Vic West.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
As a frontline healthcare worker during the pandemic, I felt the support of my community during an incredibly challenging time. Hearing the pots and pans, and reading signs as I walked to the bus kept me going. Now, I want to use my skills to represent and give back to my community. I also experienced first-hand the drastic cuts to healthcare under Rustad’s government and saw friends fired and their jobs contracted out – so I know what’s at stake. I’m motivated as a mother to build a future where my daughter and all children in our community grow and thrive.
ABOUT ESQUIMALT-COLWOOD
Esquimalt-Colwood is another new riding for the 2024 election. It was created out of parts of Esquimalt-Metchosin and includes View Royal and Vic West.
Esquimalt-Metchosin was solidly NDP in 2020, with the party taking more than 59 per cent of the vote. (MLA Mitzi Dean is not running for re-election.)
THE CANDIDATES IN ESQUIMALT-COLWOOD
The candidates this election are:
- Green Camille Currie, who has advocated for family doctors
- The NDP’s Darlene Rotchford, an Esquimalt town councillor
- Conservative businessman John Wilson of Wilson's Transportation
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.
