Welcome to your B.C. election 2020 voter guide for the Cowichan Valley riding. Here you’ll find all the information you need on the candidates, the parties, the issues and how to vote.
Be sure to sign up to the Discourse’s Cowichan Valley newsletters to stay up to date on local news and events.
Is this my riding?
The Cowichan Valley riding spans from the Malahat to just north of Duncan, and west to the Cowichan Lake region. The riding includes the Town of Lake Cowichan, the City of Duncan and parts of the Municipality of North Cowichan. Other communities include Shawningan Lake, Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay, Sahtlam, Honeymoon Bay and Youbou.
Who are the candidates?
- Rob Douglas, BC NDP (Website, Facebook)
- Sonia Furstenau, BC Green Party (Website, Facebook)
- Tanya Kaul, BC Liberal Party (Website, Facebook)
Your election questions, answered
The Discourse asked what questions you have for local candidates. We heard that the opioid crisis and issues of visible homelessness in the urban core are top of mind for many voters. So we reached out to candidates to hear their plans to address the overlapping housing and overdose crises. Here’s our conversation with BC Green Party candidate and incumbent Sonia Furstenau. Here’s our conversation with BC NDP candidate Rob Douglas. BC Liberal candidate Tanya Kaul declined the interview request.
As part of our ongoing investigation into food and farming, we also asked the candidates about their plans to support agriculture and food security.
We also sent candidates some of your questions for written response. Follow the links below to hear what they have to say:
- How will candidates address affordable housing in the Cowichan Valley?
- Will Cowichan Valley candidates support a minimum income?
- What are Cowichan Valley candidates’ top goals?
- What will Cowichan Valley candidates do for low-income seniors?
- How will Cowichan Valley candidates address anti-Indigenous racism?
- How will Cowichan Valley candidates address inequality and social supports?
- How will Cowichan Valley candidates ensure that B.C. meets its climate goals?
- How will Cowichan Valley candidates create a sustainable forest industry?
Where can I find the party platforms?
How do I vote?
- If you are at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and a resident of British Columbia for the last six months, you are eligible to vote.
- Voting day is Saturday, Oct. 24, with advance polls Oct. 15 through Oct. 21. Visit Elections BC for information on where to go and what to bring.
- You can also request a vote-by-mail package online or by calling 1-800-661-8683. Elections BC recommends requesting the package by Oct. 17. [end]
