MICHELE BABCHUK
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
BCNDP. Member of the party for over 20 years, elected as the North Island MLA 2020-2024.
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
I have lived in Campbell River since 2000 and raised my family here.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have been serving the people of Campbell River since 2005 as a Member of SD 72 Board of Education, then as Municipal Councillor, Chair of the Strathcona Regional District and for the last four years as the MLA for North Island. I also spent some time from 2006-2008 working at the Federal level as Constituency staff for the Member of Parliament. During those times I also worked in the private sector doing legal conveyancing, working in one of the major banking institutions and business administration.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
Housing, Healthcare, including supporting people facing mental health and substance use challenges. Sustainable economic development/Jobs.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
As someone who has served this community it’s been my honor to be able to have made a lot of relationships both professional and personal. These relationships have given me the opportunity to be fully immersed in all of the issues that are affecting our communities and constituents. When I became the MLA for the North Island, I understood the value of relationships and spent a lot of time connecting with people and issues in the Northern part of the riding that I wasn’t as familiar with.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
A BC where everyone can secure a home in their community, have access to a family doctor, and receive quality public healthcare, where our most vulnerable are receiving the level of care they need; fostering economic diversity and positioning BC as a global leader in sustainable economic development and jobs. A province where economic reconciliation is being achieved by First Nations communities. And that our children and grandchildren not only have what they need for a good life, but can get ahead.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
I try to tackle contentious issues head on, with respectful dialogue and a lot of listening. I truly believe that we need to work together to find solutions on some of these large issues. Continuing to polarize opinions, weaponize bad behaviour or circulate incorrect information will never allow us to find solutions.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
My community’s needs come first, and David Eby along with the BC NDP share our priorities. We’re focused on building more homes, reducing costs, and hiring more medical professionals. I am dedicated to serving everyone in our community, not just those at the top.
I am running for the BC NDP because I share its core values, especially regarding human rights. I worry that John Rustad allows his candidates to vote freely on contentious issues like abortion, vaccines, and climate change.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
My years of service to the north island and the fact that I have either been elected or staff at every level of government makes me confident that I am qualified for this job.
For the past four years as the MLA for North Island I have immersed myself in issues from Forestry to Fisheries, Healthcare to Homelessness, the Environment to Economic Reconciliation, to find solutions that benefit the North Island communities and its constituents.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
Throughout my life I have always wanted to make a difference. A difference to ensure my children and grandchildren have a good world to live in. A difference to ensure I leave the planet in better shape then what I inherited. And to make a difference in the way people view their participation in our society. Leading by example, taking part, not taking advantage. Caring about the people that need help and being proud of our accomplishments.
ABOUT NORTH ISLAND
There was a relatively tight NDP-Liberal race in the North Island riding in 2005, but the NDP wins have been more comfortable since then, and New Democrat Michele Babchuk had more than double the votes of her nearest competitor (a Liberal) in 2020.
Babchuk, a former Campbell River city councillor, is running again. Marine biologist Nic Dedeluk is campaigning for the Greens, while Anna Kindy, a physician, is running for the Conservatives.
THE CANDIDATES IN NORTH ISLAND
The candidates this election are:
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.
