At the start of the federal election campaign, The Discourse asked Nanaimo voters what issues are top of mind for them and what they want local candidates to address before casting their vote on April 28, 2025.
We received 157 responses to our survey from Nanaimo voters between March 24 and April 7. Survey respondents indicated that health care, affordability, homelessness and social supports, the environment, U.S. / Canada relations and housing are the top election issues for readers in Nanaimo.
Sixty-nine per cent of respondents flagged health care as one of their top issues, followed by 55 per cent of respondents indicating affordability and homelessness / social supports are top of mind for them. The environment and U.S / Canada relations and tariffs are top issues for 54 per cent of survey respondents.
One Nanaimo voter wants to ask candidates, “How would you improve my access to health care in a more timely manner?”
Respondents were able to select more than one answer for this question. Here’s the breakdown of topics from most to least votes:
- Health care (109 /157)
- Affordability (86/157)
- Homelessness / social supports (86/157)
- Environment (84/157)
- U.S. Canada relations (84/157)
- Housing (81/157)
- Food security (59/157)
- Economy (51/157)
- Reconciliation (49/157)
- Crime / social disorder (41/157)
In 2021, the top election issues for readers in Nanaimo—Ladysmith were housing affordability, climate change and reconciliation.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s name also came up a number of times this year with readers curious about how candidates will “stop Trump from attacking Canada” and what steps they would take “to ensure we don’t become the 51st state.”
One reader wants to know, “Why isn’t the environment the only issue we are talking about?”
Another asks, “When will the federal government increase transfer payments to the provinces for increased health care spending, homeless support and social issues?”
A survey respondent wants to know how candidates would “address the housing crisis among Gen Z and Millennials that do not have access to savings to purchase homes in our lifetime and face unprecedented cost of living increases? “
We also had a few cheeky — and partisan — questions submitted, including:
- “What do you think the saying ‘eat the rich’ means in a Canadian context?”
- “Are you a Conservative candidate? If so, please do not waste my time — disappear.”
- “Will Canada bust those fucking grocers who rip us off every day of the week?” and;
- “Can you be honest?”
What’s next?
The federal election is on Monday, April 28, 2025 and advanced voting begins on April 18. Nanaimo is mostly encompassed by the Nanaimo—Ladysmith riding.
The Discourse is reaching out to candidates for responses to questions on your main concerns. Questions sent to candidates are formulated using questions directly from community members that were shared in the survey.
To get all of your election questions answered, including where and how to vote, what riding you live in and who’s running for office, head over to our Nanaimo voter guide.
