A ‘highly charged’ atmosphere in Nanaimo on byelection day
Posted January 30, 2019 12:51 pm.
Last Updated January 30, 2019 2:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NANAIMO (NEWS 1130) – It’s one of the biggest votes in Nanaimo’s history, a byelection which could have major implications for politics in this province. A BC Liberal win would have the party at 43 seats, tying the NDP-Green alliance.
There’s a lot of passion and interest in this vote, according to Kim Smythe, the chief executive of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.
“Highly charged really,” says Smythe. “This has been a pretty exciting run.”
RELATED: All eyes on Nanaimo today; by-election could affect all of B.C.
He says 500 people showed up for an all candidates meeting in the buildup to this day, something he’s never seen for a byelection previously.
“I think what’s really interesting is that Nanaimoites don’t feel that bigger issue putting pressure on them,” adds Smythe, who believes voters are focusing on the local, rather than provincial implications of this byelection. “I think Nanaimoites are concerned with the situation we find ourselves in, and are looking for what’s going to be best for Nanaimo.”
The community faces many issues, among them a growing homelessness population and a lack of affordable housing.
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Smythe says even to the buildup to this there was unprecedented interest.
“We’re all excited, we’re all ready to go and 20 per cent showed up in the advance polls which is an indication that we’ll get a pretty big turnout.”
Arlene Jackson who lives in Nanaimo says she’s voted in a lot of elections in her lifetime, but none as important as this.
“I voted because I need to, I want to,” she adds. “And with this election, basically, we need to.”
Another resident, Tanner McKinnon says everyone at work is buzzing about the byelection, noting everyone is paying attention.
The Nanaimo seat became vacant when Leonard Krog resigned in November, after being elected the city’s mayor the month before. Krog had been an NDP MLA for 18 years.
