TIM THIELMANN
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
One year
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
Yes, I’ve lived in Victoria-Beacon Hill for nearly 20 years.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have practiced as a lawyer for 15 years, and have helped First Nations clients win landmark victories inside and outside of the courtroom on everything from recovering endangered caribou to advancing economic prosperity.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
Safety. Most people no longer feel safe walking downtown. Untreated drug addiction and mental illness fuel crime and leave hundreds suffering on our streets. The NDP and the Greens both believe that the solution to the drug crisis is to make it even easier to use hard drugs. We believe in recovery. BC Conservatives will transform drug consumption sites into recovery centres. We will care for those who can’t care for themselves, including by providing involuntary drug treatment and care, using the Notwithstanding Clause in the Charter if needed. We will fairly enforce the laws that protect us all.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
I began door-knocking in January and have now knocked on virtually every accessible door in the riding at least once, and many of them twice. We have had thousands of conversations about safety, healthcare, the cost of living, and many other issues. I’ve hosted a town hall on community safety, several meet and greets open to the public, and special events with a range of groups including young professionals, seniors, local business owners, and doctors. We respond promptly to emails and keep our replies open on social media to allow every constituent an opportunity to be heard.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
Today, Victoria is one of the easiest places in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ to use drugs. I want Victoria to become the recovery capital of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½. Over the last seven years, annual fatalities from illicit drugs have doubled. With a recovery-oriented approach, I believe we can reverse this trend and reduce annual fatalities by at least 50% within 4 years.
We need more detox beds (now only 21 on the south Island), more treatment programs like New Roads (65% success rate, costing only $70,000 per person), and more dry housing for those exiting recovery (, BC Housing has none).
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
I “left the left” because it has become increasingly uninterested in viewpoint diversity. Current MLA Grace Lore bans replies to her own social media posts on contentious issues like gender ideology. She has even supported activists that call for violence against people opposed to child transitions. As a lawyer, I value our tradition of civil debate. I actively seek out the views of people I disagree with. The freedom to disagree is fundamental to scientific inquiry and to our democracy. It’s how we make informed decisions. It’s how we correct for errors and unintended consequences. It’s how we progress.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
Yes. When I first met with John Rustad in August of 2023, he said that I would be encouraged to speak first to local issues, that I could express party positions in my own terms, and that the party be provided advanced notice if I needed to take a contrary position. Why elect an MLA if all they can do is follow party talking points? Your MLA should be more than a barking seal. If you want an MLA who will champion Victoria’s interests inside the party and out, I am your candidate.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
As a lawyer for First Nations, I spent 15 years fighting to protect the environment and advance prosperity. We won landmark agreements in court. Signed historic governmental and economic agreements. I learned how to navigate the bureaucracy, listen to people on the ground, weigh expert opinions, and to speak important truths even when it wasn’t always popular. We got things done. It’s what we need now in Victoria. If elected, I’ll be an effective advocate for every constituent. I will fight for historic change to improve the safety, health, and prosperity of this city.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
We’ve tried seven years of NDP policies and they just haven’t worked. I’m a married father of two young girls, and nothing is more important to me than their future. I put my law practice on hold for the better part of the last year because I believe we need good people from across the political spectrum to join together to bring change to Victoria. Instead of more drugs, investments in recovery and treatment. An overhaul of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½’s collapsing healthcare system. A more productive economy that rewards hard work and gives young people a hope of home ownership.
ABOUT VICTORIA-BEACON HILL
Two incumbent MLAs will be facing off in Victoria-Beacon Hill after Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau relocated from Cowichan Valley to the capital.
She faces New Democrat Grace Lore, who captured 54 per cent of the vote in 2020. (The Green candidate was about 7,400 votes back with 30 per cent.)
They’re joined by lawyer Tim Thielmann, the Conservative Party candidate.
With the exception of one Liberal MLA in 2001-2005, this riding has gone NDP since it was created in 1991.
THE CANDIDATES IN VICTORIA-BEACON HILL
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.
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