The riding
New Democrat Mitzi Dean is seeking a second term after garnering 46.25 per cent of the vote in 2017. (The riding underwent substantial boundary changes in 2017, making comparisons to prior elections difficult, but Esquimalt-Royal Roads went NDP in 2005, 2009 and 2013.) Dean faces Metchosin councillor Andy MacKinnon, who also ran here in 2017 for the Greens; Liberal R.J. Senko, a public affairs consultant; and Independent candidate Desta McPherson.
2017 results
鈥� NDP 鈥� Mitzi Dean 11,816 (46.25 per cent)
鈥� Liberal 鈥� Barb Desjardins 7,055 (27.62 per cent)
鈥� Green 鈥� Andy MacKinnon 6,339 (24.81 per cent)
鈥� Libertarian 鈥� Josh Steffler 171 (0.67 per cent)
鈥� Independent 鈥� Delmar Martay 102 (0.4 per cent)
鈥� Communist 鈥� Tyson Strandlund 65 (0.25 per cent)
鈥� Voter turnout: 66 per cent
Mitzi Dean, NDP (incumbent)
Born in England, no age given. Married with a daughter. Lives in Metchosin, MLA in the riding since 2017.
Making a difference: 鈥淔or more than 10 years, I managed a social service agency that delivered trauma-informed, high quality support and counselling services to thousands of people across the region.鈥� As MLA, worked to bring urgent primary care centres, affordable child care, affordable housing to riding.
Main issue: The COVID-19 pandemic, health and the future, and affordability. 鈥淭his means housing, accessible child care, and good jobs are a top priority.鈥�
Andy MacKinnon, Green
Age 64, born in Vancouver. Married with two sons, riding resident for 32 years. Metchosin municipal councillor, retired professional forester and professional biologist.
Making a difference: Helped organize biological inventories to document Metchosin鈥檚 species, served on Metchosin鈥檚 environmental advisory committee, organized the Metchosin Day 5K road race for the past decade.
Main issue: 鈥淭ransportation is a key issue, especially transportation to and from the Western Communities. And many in this riding are concerned about issues at a provincial level: climate change, old-growth forests, threatened and endangered species.鈥� Some residents say one of the issues motivates them is 鈥渁nger at having to participate in an unscheduled and wholly unnecessary election.鈥�
Desta McPherson, Independent
We did not receive a response from Desta McPherson, who is running as an Independent candidate.
RJ Senko, Liberal
Age 56, born in Red Deer. Resident of Esquimalt for 10 years, divorced with a daughter. Works as a ommunications and government relations consultant.
Making a difference: Helped create the Township Community Arts Council, a not-for-profit society that promotes Esquimalt through arts and culture. Served as vice-president of the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce.
Main issue: 鈥淩ebuilding our economy so we can create an inclusive and equal society that addresses local needs.鈥� That includes access to primary health care; commuter rail and ferry between the West Shore and Victoria; affordable housing; seniors鈥� care; homelessness; opioid crisis; reconciliation and economic opportunity for Indigenous peoples; and the environment.
