LANA POPHAM
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
BC New Democratic Party. Member since 2009
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
Twenty-eight years ago, I made Saanich South my home. It’s where I co-founded and operated Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I was elected MLA for Saanich South in 2009 and re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2020. I served as the Minister of Agriculture from 2017-2022, and as Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport since 2022.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
Two of the biggest are access to health care and affordable housing.
We’ve opened a new urgent primary care centre in Saanich South, and across the province in the last year alone we’ve hired 800 new family doctors and thousands of nurses. When it comes to housing in Saanich South, one example of progress is the new transit-oriented development for Uptown that will provide hundreds of new homes. Across BC the speculation tax alone has made 20 000 new homes available. Our housing plan will deliver 300,000 middle-class homes. We are seeing good results, and we won’t stop until the job is done.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
I love interacting with people. Every day I talk to people who live in this community —listening to their questions and concerns. And I’ve been doing that for 16 years! I also regularly talk with parent groups, non-profits and local business owners. In addition, I host events and drop-ins to hear from constituents on specific projects, programs, and initiatives. I work with the community to find solutions for our neighbourhoods, and I work closely with municipal and federal representatives.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
I want BC to be an affordable place to live. I want people to have access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner, or a team of health care professionals if they need it. I also want to see more housing and more places for seniors to retire in comfort. I want to see more progress on food security and on key environmental issues to make sure the air we breathe and the water we drink is clean, and that we are protecting our environment.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
I bring people to the table, regardless of their views. This creates space to find common ground and thoughtful solutions. In Saanich South, we came together to address the issue of water quality at Elk and Beaver Lake. With a full understanding of the issue, I was able to advocate and secure funding for an oxygenator that will clean up the water for swimmers, rowers, and paddlers for years to come.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
I’m running with the BC NDP because it best represents my values and priorities. I’ve been elected and re-elected four times since 2019 so I am confident in my ability to represent the diverse communities in Saanich South. My votes in the legislature will always be informed by these values and the input I get from the community.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
I’ve been the MLA since 2009 and a Cabinet Minister since 2017. I know the job and how to get results. I care about our community and issues that matter to the people who live here. The results speak for themselves: I helped secure a new Urgent Primary Care Centre in Saanich, protected 2.4 ha of old growth forest on Bear Hill, and got safety improvements on the Pat Bay Highway. I have a track record of speaking up for my constituents and delivering for the community, and I’m not done yet!
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
I went to the University of British Columbia where I studied urban geography with a focus on urban food systems. I started and operated the first certified organic vineyard on the Island and had a certified organic vegetable business. The issues of food security and farmer security inspired me to enter politics in 2009. I’ve served four terms, two in opposition, two in government. I’ve held two cabinet positions, and I’ve continued to use the lens of sustainability in each.
ABOUT SAANICH SOUTH
New Democrat Lana Popham is looking for a fifth term in office.
The races in 2005 and 2009 were close Liberal-NDP races separated by only a few hundred votes, but Popham took almost 56 per cent of the vote in the 2020 election.
THE CANDIDATES IN SAANICH SOUTH
The candidates this election are:
- Conservative Adam Kubel, a project manager
- New Democrat Lana Popham, the riding's longtime MLA
- Green candidate Ned Taylor, formerly a Saanich municipal councillor
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.
