Victoria candidates answer key questions ahead of federal election

We’re five days from what many political and historical minds are calling this country’s most important federal election.

It comes at a time of unprecedented unrest between Canada and the United States.

US President Donald Trump has imposed himself squarely in the centre of Canadian politics, leading leaders of all stripes to try to tell you they and only they can best defend Canada in trade talks with him.

So, what’s Canada’s strategy in a world where our big brother is no longer to be trusted?

The Liberals say they would grow Canada’s economy through investment in clean energy, infrastructure, and trade reform, which they say would strengthen tourism, enhance environmental protection, and expand cross-border commerce.

The Conservatives say they’ll strive to secure strong trade deals that protect Canadian industries, including BC’s forestry and fishing sectors, while standing firm against Trump’s tariffs.

The NDP pledges that if elected, it would ensure every dollar collected from Canada’s counter tariffs goes directly to support workers and communities hit hardest.

The Greens say they’ll eliminate domestic trade barriers and form new international trading relationships. Furthermore, they promise to create a 120,000-strong national civil defence corps to protect our nation.

Donald Trump’s New World Order is certainly a big part of this election, but there are plenty of other issues in need of address, including housing, the environment, and the skyrocketing cost of living.

To better understand the politicians vying for your votes, Capital Daily asked candidates in all South Island ridings eight key questions about their agenda if elected.

Here are the responses we heard from those running in the riding of Victoria.

CRD residents are feeling the squeeze. What is your plan to increase housing affordability and supply, especially for renters and young families?

Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada):

‍ Canada, including Capital Regional District (CRD) residents, faces a housing crisis not seen since

the Second World War. High rents, down payments, and mortgage costs are making homeownership and stable rental housing unaffordable for many, especially young Canadians. The Liberal housing plan is focused on bold action: doubling home construction over the next decade and making historic investments in new builds, such as at CFB Esquimalt.

Under Mark Carney’s leadership, we will take a regionally focused approach to address the crisis in the CRD. This includes eliminating development barriers, growing the housing workforce, and investing in modular, prefabricated, and sustainable building methods.

We will partner with local governments to reduce permitting delays, support co-op and affordable housing, and build more rental supply for young families, seniors, and Indigenous communities. A $25B investment in Build Canada Homes will accelerate construction, reduce municipal charges, and simplify approvals using Canadian innovation and materials.

This is a pivotal moment to build more homes, faster, and ensure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home.

‍ Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada):

Talking to hundreds of people at the doors, I’m hearing over and over again what we already know, how impossible it’s become for young families and renters to find affordable housing here. This is something that motivated me personally, as the father of two teenagers.

Conservatives will cut red tape so that builders can actually build family homes—fast. We will tie federal infrastructure dollars to municipalities’ housing targets, ensuring cities like Victoria speed up approvals for building homes where people want to live. We’ll also incentivize building affordable rental units and ensure federal land is repurposed for housing, like converting unused government buildings into affordable housing.

It’s about putting roofs over people’s heads—not excuses.

‍ Laurel Collins* (New Democratic Party of Canada):

It shouldn’t be this hard to find a home that fits your family and your budget. There was a time when finding a home wasn’t so hard, but since then, corporate landlords and speculators have bought up housing, raised rents, and are raking in record profits. And every day, people are paying the price.

Here in Victoria, over 60% of our residents rent. To bring down rents, the NDP would ban big corporate landlords, like Brookfield, from buying affordable rentals. We would invest in the Renters Protection Fund, to help non-profit housing providers and co-ops buy affordable rental homes and keep rents low, and use federal land and prefabricated homes to speed up building timelines.

New Democrats also want to see tenant-protection policies, like national rent control, as a condition of federal housing money.

Our NDP team would invest in building historic amounts of non-market housing—three million new units—including more two- and three-bedroom family-suitable homes. We also want to have communities be able to sustain this growth, and we have a fund to help expand the water, sewage, and infrastructure foundations needed.

Home ownership is a dream for so many here in Victoria, but the way the current system is set up makes it difficult to get into the market. That’s why we will make it easier to buy a place to call home with a plan to help first-time homebuyers realize their dream of home ownership and ban investment firms from buying up properties.

I have heard from people in Victoria who are worried about Mark Carney's plans to open up our housing to foreign buyers and his time as the head of Brookfield Asset Management—one of Canada’s biggest corporate landlords—exploiting the housing crisis for corporate profit. And Pierre Poilievre’s plan to sell off public land to private developers will only build housing for people at the very top. As Donald Trump threatens our economy, these ideas will only hurt people and drive up housing costs.

Finding a home you can afford in the community you love shouldn’t be too much to ask. New Democrats are the only party standing up for renters, pushing for solutions to help people get the homes that fit their needs.

‍ Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada):

The Green Party platform calls for home-building by the Government of Canada and limiting the ability of corporations to inflate rental costs by:

• Using covenants to make sure housing built with public money stays affordable forever
• Closing loopholes to stop criminals from using real estate to hide dirty money
• Eliminating the unfair tax advantages for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
• Stopping corporations from buying up single-family homes

As well, in Victoria, the federal government can and should free up thousands of units in the rental market by greatly increasing the housing for military personnel at the Esquimalt base, where only 17% of military personnel currently have military housing. Similarly, the federal government can and should incentivize the construction of much more student housing at UVic and Camosun.

‍ Steve Filipovic (Independent):

Our governments have investment budgets, by arranging partnerships with workers with good credit histories and helping them with down payments. As an investment, we can assist people over the hurdles that bar their entry to home ownership. Owned housing is the cheapest form of housing. This program would provide stimulus to the housing industry with the Government owning 25% of the homes, with the potential for the partners in ownership to buy the government out over time.

‍ David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada):

Housing would be better served by a decrease in taxes and fees. To encourage increasing the supply, the PPC would work towards making it easier for builders to get permits and for a decrease in the costs involved in those permits. Municipalities would be better served by getting houses up faster and into the municipal taxation system than delaying construction through one-time fees.

With lower costs to start construction, housing can also be lower in price, making it possible for lower-income persons to get into the housing market. We would also work on getting municipalities to recognize purpose-built low-income housing as a better fit for the community than high-income [housing].

‍ Mary Moreau (Christian Heritage Party of Canada):

The CHP would reduce or eliminate the foreign purchases of homes, businesses, and farmland, as well as address vast increases in immigration which is outpacing our ability to accommodate.

‍ What will you do to improve public safety in the CRD, including crime and public/road safety? ‍

‍ Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada):

Our public safety strategy is built on prevention, enforcement, and compassion. We will recruit more RCMP and Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers to tackle organized crime and repeat offenders, while introducing stricter bail and sentencing reforms for violent crimes.

We also recognize that many public safety challenges stem from untreated mental health and addictions. That’s why we will invest in more accessible mental-health services and addiction treatment to address the root causes of street disorder.

Improving safety in Victoria and the CRD will require collaboration across all levels of government. Mark Carney and the Liberal government will work with municipalities and the province to deliver real results.

‍ Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada):

Victoria’s streets should feel safe for everyone—whether you’re walking downtown, biking to work, or taking your kids to Beacon Hill Park. Unfortunately, crime and street disorder have been rising.

A Conservative government will restore funding to police forces to give them the resources they need to keep our streets safe. But we’ll also tackle the root causes of crime by addressing addiction and mental health. We’ll invest in local treatment and recovery programs to help people get off drugs and into stable lives, and fund treatment for 50,000 Canadians in treatment centres with a proven record of success at getting people off drugs.

As a former police officer, I firmly believe that we need solutions that respect both public safety and compassion for those struggling.

‍ Laurel Collins (New Democratic Party of Canada):

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities and in our downtown. There isn’t a silver bullet that will fix these issues. If it were as easy as just getting “tough on crime,” there would be no crime in Conservative urban centres in Alberta or Saskatchewan, and that is clearly not the case. We need to find real solutions for the most marginalized, for local businesses and downtown workers, and for all our community members.

My New Democrat colleagues and I supported the recent calls from all premiers and several police associations for bail reform in the wake of high-profile violent crimes. We need bail reform that includes community bail programs for less severe crimes, to help make sure those let out on bail are not going to reoffend. These programs have an incredible success rate because individuals are connected with the services and help they need, whether mental-health services, substance abuse programs, or education.

I will also continue to push for preventative, up-stream solutions like investing in the Mobile Youth Services Team, a multi-disciplinary unit in the Capital Regional District that provides mobile support to youth, particularly those at risk of exploitation, gang recruitment, homelessness, or who are in crisis. And we need to invest in mental-health support and treatment, and recovery for people suffering from addictions.

We need real solutions in our community to help keep our neighbourhoods and our downtown core safe for everyone.

Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada): While crime rates are lower in Victoria than in the rest of BC and Canada, and violent crime is low, non-violent crime is a particular concern.

I would hope to lobby for more resources for Greater Victoria Integrated Police Units and the creation of more such units to deal with additional priority areas.

As well, I would wish to consult with emergency services and local and provincial authorities to determine whether support for new forms of first response services could free police up for priority law enforcement duties.

Steve Filipovic (Independent):

In 2008, the street community demonstrated that the services in Canada were not as reasonable as our Constitution affords all Canadians. The use of our parks is what they won, but this wasn’t intended to be a forever thing. This was to provide the time for Canada to improve the conditions of our services for those most affected by poverty. Sixteen years later, we have seen no intent to address these issues, which is failing everybody. Demanding improvements to those services is the way to get our streets and parks back.

David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada): Personally, I would like to do a complete revamp of the Criminal Code of Canada. The Criminal Code keeps growing, making it harder and harder to understand. As it grows, we keep adding exceptions to the basic law. I would like to get back to basics. We are so far from the basics now that police no longer prevent crime but react to crime.

Mary Moreau (Christian Heritage Party of Canada):

Public Safety in the CRD should be the result of collaboration between all players at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, with a view to the municipality having the highest level of determination as to how to address the problem.

‍ What will you do to address our pressing health concerns, including the toxic drug crisis and the need for more access to care, including mental-health care?

‍ Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada): ‍

A Mark Carney government will defend the Canada Health Act and protect public

health care, ensuring it remains universal, fair, and accessible. We’ll safeguard vital programs like dental care and pharmacare while supporting provinces in health-care delivery.

Across Canada, including the CRD, we’ll respond to the toxic drug crisis with major investments in emergency treatment, mental-health services, and supportive housing. This includes a $500M boost to the Emergency Treatment Fund and the creation of a Youth Mental Health Fund to help 100,000 young people each year.

To improve overall access, we will expand medical school spaces, streamline recognition of internationally trained professionals, and invest in health-care infrastructure. Personal Support Workers, nurses, and caregivers will be supported through increased funding and expanded training opportunities.

We’re committed to ensuring timely, quality care for all Canadians, including communities like Victoria.

Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada):

The toxic drug crisis has hit Victoria hard—I hear from families affected by this crisis every day. The current government’s approach of decriminalization without accountability has failed.

Conservatives will end taxpayer-funded drug programs that supply dangerous substances and instead focus on treatment, recovery, and mental-health support.

Here in Victoria, I’ll push for funding for local detox beds and recovery centres so people have somewhere to turn. We’ll also work with provinces to cut the bureaucracy in health care and ensure federal dollars go directly to improving access to family doctors and mental-health care. Victorians deserve better.

Laurel Collins (New Democratic Party of Canada):

Canadians are proud that we have a public health-care system. it’s what makes us different from our American neighbours. If it wasn’t for Tommy Douglas and a small group of NDP MPs, Canada would not have a public health-care system. And, in the last Parliament, our NDP team delivered the biggest expansion of health-care in a generation through the dental care and pharmacare program.

And still, our health-care system needs more investments so everyone can have access to the care they deserve. The Liberals have said cuts are on the way, and it’s the last thing Victoria needs right now. On the other hand, Pierre Poilievre has vowed to cut-and-gut our health-care system and will allow American-style privatization to creep in across the country.

The NDP wants to protect and expand our health-care system. The NDP’s plan includes increased health-care funding for provinces to recruit and retain more doctors, and streamline the process for American health-care workers to work in Canada. We’ll fund 1,000 additional residency positions each year for internationally trained doctors already living in Canada, and let doctors practise where they’re needed with a pan-Canadian license.

New Democrats believe free, universal mental-health care is the best future. And we’re going to move in that direction, starting with guaranteeing mental-health care is covered under the Canada Health Act. And, providing free prescribed medication by expanding the national pharmacare program.

Too many Canadians have lost loved ones because of the toxic drug crisis, and I know this has touched the lives of so many here in the CRD. We must respond to the toxic drug crisis like the public health emergency it is.

Our plan includes investment in prevention, education, and addressing the root causes of substance use. We must also invest in harm reduction measures that keep people alive while working to eliminate wait times for treatment and recovery support.

The Liberals have really let people down on funding treatment and recovery, and the Conservatives want to criminalize those suffering from addictions. We need a strong plan to ensure people get help when they need it, and the NDP will always be there to defend people and the care they need.

‍ Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada):

The Green Party platform calls for:

• Providing stable, long-term funding to provinces and territories
• Training and hiring more health care workers to improve access and cut wait times
• Expanding home care and community care
• Ensuring access to reproductive care across Canada
• Investing in public health care instead of allowing for-profit corporations to deliver more services
• Expanding Medicare to include prescriptions, dental care, and mental health care

As well, I would hope to work at the national level to ensure that provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons and related bodies take a coordinated approach to eliminating barriers to qualified, foreign-trained doctors and health-care workers becoming licensed in Canada.

Regarding the drug crisis, the government must take a comprehensive and expanded approach, must adjust to the evolving polydrug situation, and should seriously ask why only the USA and Scotland have worse overdose rates than Canada.

‍ Steve Filipovic (Independent):

We need to stop serving hard drugs on our streets. We need to improve the services to make them safe and reasonable as our Constitution affords us.

Poverty on our streets is embraced by governments at all levels instead of being addressed. It’s another plank in their efforts to burden society. We need a staff rotation in many of these aspects of poverty services, as the issue is milked instead of served. Decades of failing mean those in charge like it this way. We need new people in charge. People suffering mental-health issues require much improved conditions and services; the shutting down of River View was a purposeful mistake.

‍ David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada):

I would like to see a cross-Canada exam for all health professionals. Once a health professional has passed this exam, they would be able to practise anywhere in Canada. I would also apply this exam to all foreign health professionals. There are many of them from other countries who reside now in Canada but are unable to get into a program to practise in Canada due to limited spaces, which fill up quickly with Canadians. A foreign health professional should be able to prove their knowledge and proceed to practise.

I feel the worst thing we did was close the mental-health hospitals and put those people on the street. There is no treatment on the street. Anyone living on the street has limited access to programs due to many factors, and therefore, we should expect them to get worse and likely die on the street. We need to see that putting them in a facility to get help is not depriving them of their rights, but working to make them better so they can properly exercise their rights.

‍ Mary Moreau (Christian Heritage Party of Canada):

The health-care system should first be focused on matters of real health care over expensive procedures/surgeries that are for elective surgeries and especially those that are harmful to the human condition.

Regarding mental illness, we need to provide proper care for the mentally [ill] and stop relying on harmful drugs as a solution.

‍ How will you advocate for better transit and infrastructure to support the CRD’s rapidly growing population?

‍ Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada): ‍

Supporting the CRD’s growth starts with a strong federal commitment to modern, resilient infrastructure and transit. A new Liberal government will work closely with provincial and municipal partners to ensure that federal infrastructure dollars are spent where needed most, towards public transit, housing-enabling infrastructure, and climate-resilient projects in places like Victoria and surrounding communities.

We will expand the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to include a full range of infrastructure that growing communities need—from transit systems to active transportation corridors. We will focus on building smart, dense communities near transit, improving affordability and mobility.

We’ll also streamline federal processes so municipalities can access funding faster, cut red tape, and accelerate progress. If elected, I will champion making funds available through the Canada Community Building Fund to support the capital costs to upgrade or replace local infrastructure.

‍ Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada): ‍

Victoria's population is growing, and our infrastructure isn’t keeping up.

Every day, people sit in traffic on the Number One or wait for buses that are overcrowded or late.

A Conservative government will prioritize funding for critical infrastructure projects that meet the needs of growing communities like ours. I’ll fight for better transit options, including expanding BC Transit services in the CRD, increasing bike lane safety, and upgrading key roads and bridges.

We’ll also work to ensure federal infrastructure funds aren’t tied up in bureaucratic delays, so we can get shovels in the ground faster.

Laurel Collins (New Democratic Party of Canada): ‍

The CRD is one of the fastest-growing places in BC.

Under the Liberals, almost $15B of climate funding has been unspent or delayed since 2016. The biggest shortfall is for public transit and green infrastructure projects.

I have long advocated for a passenger train from Victoria up-Island. We need more solutions to move people up the island car-free. Of course, First Nations need to be a part of the conversation, and I have advocated to the minister responsible to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Nations on the Island.

New Democrats believe in fare-free transit, and we’ll start moving in that direction to lower commuting costs. It's better for people and families, and the planet. The NDP will push for modernizing and expanding public transit, with the goal of electrifying transit by 2030 to cut emissions. We will make federal funding for public transit permanent and take the cost burden off transit riders and taxpayers, and help ensure service is convenient, frequent, and reliable.

Forward-thinking investments in our public infrastructure and transit systems like this are necessary so that people in our community have more options to get to work, to school, and enjoy everything our community has to offer in a more sustainable and economical way. We need progressive NDP voices to make sure these priorities are heard in Ottawa.

‍ Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada):

Anyone who has tried to get in or out of Victoria at rush hour knows that we don’t need more cars competing for space on the roads.

In the short term, more buses and dedicated bus lanes are needed plus continued expansion of cycling infrastructure, but going forward we need to revisit the proposal for light rail that was made a decade ago, consider whether there is a role for high-speed electric passenger ferries like the “Candela”, and revive some form of passenger service on the Island Rail Corridor.

‍ Steve Filipovic (Independent):

Our streets have been burdened by our climate alarm-serving governments.

By unchoking the roads, which have recently been “calmed" will greatly increase our ability to transport goods and people, lowering the costs of goods and services.

‍ David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada):

This problem is a problem for the local municipality and province to solve.

There are limits to what is [within] federal jurisdiction.

‍ Mary Moreau (Christian Heritage Party of Canada):

Transit and urban growth should primarily be the responsibility of the municipalities for setting up a suitable infrastructure, while the federal government could act in a supportive role in both funding and decision-making around addressing the needs.

‍ What will you and your party do to make life more affordable for everyday South Island residents?

Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada):

Life in the Capital Regional District has become increasingly expensive, and a Mark Carney-led government is committed to easing the burden.

Our plan begins with a middle-class income tax cut, saving dual-income families up to $825 annually, and expands support for working households.

We’ll reduce energy bills through home retrofit programs, covering upgrades like insulation and heat pumps, and expand dental care for Canadians aged 18 to 64, saving individuals up to $800 annually. We’ll also protect $10/day childcare, already delivering major savings to South Island families as well as continuing the Canada Child Benefit, which provides up to $7,787 per child under six and $6,570 per child aged six to 17.

To help seniors weather this storm, we’ll implement two targeted measures: reduce mandatory RRIF withdrawals by 25% for one year, giving seniors flexibility during market volatility; and increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement by 5% for one year, providing up to $652 in tax-free support for low-income seniors.

‍ Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada):

Conservatives have a plan to address the cost-of-living crisis. Some priorities that I will champion for immediate implementation:

• Cut income tax so that people can bring home more of their paycheque
• Encourage reinvestment in Canada with a capital gains tax cut
• Diversify trade partners to build our economic fortress
• Remove inter-provincial trade barriers that should have been cleared long ago, and
• Eliminate the carbon tax altogether, not just turning it down during campaign time

Laurel Collins (New Democratic Party of Canada):

People are struggling to afford housing, groceries, and bills, while corporations are raking in record profits, and Trump's threats to our economy and sovereignty will only make it worse.

The NDP would push the government to cap prices on essential grocery items so people can afford to put food on the table.

We’ll end handouts to big oil and gas, and use those billions to retrofit Canadians’ homes—reducing energy costs and emissions.

The Liberals allowed large grocery chains to keep gouging Canadians, and Conservatives believe that the government should give people less and corporations more.

To bring down rents, we need to ban big corporate landlords, like Brookfield, from buying up affordable rentals. These companies renovict tenants then raise prices to make their shareholders richer. We also need to build more co-op housing and truly affordable homes. There was a time when housing was affordable, when the government was building housing.

And, we have announced our plan to bring in Victory Bonds. Every dollar raised will be dedicated entirely to public infrastructure, supporting shovel-ready projects that we will own for generations while boosting our economy.

The NDP will always defend Canadians, build our economy, and take on corporate greed to make life more affordable.

‍ Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada):

In a market-based economy, the federal government must target priority areas within federal jurisdiction to help Canadians cope with the high cost of living, including the affordable housing measures discussed under Question 1.

Fuel costs are expensive, and should be addressed by a nationwide retrofit program for homes and other buildings, and by speeding up the transition away from fossil fuels. Implementing fair taxation so that big corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share will help working Canadians to deal with the high cost of living by letting them keep more of what they earn.

To help students—including adult learners returning to school to cope with an evolving job market—Canada should follow the example of countries such as Scotland, Germany, Norway, and Denmark and offer tuition-free post-secondary education.

To lessen financial strain due to family needs, paid leave should be expanded to cover elder care, miscarriage, and other situations.

‍ Steve Filipovic (Independent):

By ending the climate alarm and the fear of CO2 near its record low, we can lower the cost of energy and therefore the costs of goods sold.

Our government recently pivoted, placing the carbon tax into tariffs, increasing the costs of goods to support a myth used to govern us.  I will work to expose that myth.

‍ David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada):

All Canadians want things to be more affordable.

The PPC is committed to decreasing the amount of money the government sends out of the country.

When we have communities unable to have clean water, or food banks that are growing, it is unfathomable why we would send money to another country to solve the same problem. Until we have these problems under control in Canada, the only money that should be going out should be for disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.

Better foreign trade would also help, as when our companies are able to get their products marketed to the world, everyone benefits. With foreign trade spread to Asia and Europe, we would not have to fear the games being played by the United States.

‍ Mary Moreau (Christian Heritage Party of Canada):

Do away with income tax and replace that needed revenue with a national sales tax or FAIR TAX on purchases so that Canadians will be able to purchase their own homes, start their own business, and create jobs in a growth economy.

‍ What are your top environmental priorities that you will commit to focusing on for the South Island?

‍ Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada): ‍

Victorians care deeply about protecting the environment and advancing climate action. Mark Carney’s new climate plan builds on that momentum. He has already eliminated the divisive consumer carbon tax and is replacing it with direct incentives to reward people for making greener choices, like buying electric vehicles, improving home insulation, and switching to heat pumps. Our approach focuses on reducing emissions through investments in clean infrastructure, strengthening industrial carbon pricing, and ensuring big polluters pay while Canadians, including Victoria's families benefit.

The Carney plan also includes major measures to create jobs, grow the economy, and position Canada as a global leader in clean technology and sustainable finance. The South Island has world-leading entrepreneurs working in this space, and I will champion supporting and increasing their capacity. I also support restoring Island rail service for passengers and freight, in partnership with First Nations, as part of reconciliation and a strategy to cut commuter emissions and boost regional development.

‍ Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada):

Victoria’s natural beauty is one of our greatest treasures, and it’s our responsibility to protect it for future generations.

A Conservative government will focus on practical environmental solutions—like supporting clean energy projects, investing in zero-emission technologies, and protecting critical ecosystems, including our coasts and forests.

I’ll advocate for local funding to clean up waterways like the Gorge and advance ocean conservation efforts. We’ll also partner with First Nations communities to ensure sustainable stewardship of our natural resources. Protecting the environment isn’t about virtue-signaling—it’s about real results.

‍ Laurel Collins (New Democratic Party of Canada):

Canadians are doing their part to fight the climate crisis.

They deserve a government that does its part, too, to protect our air and water.

Despite promising to end fossil fuel subsidies, the Liberals are handing out an additional $12B of public money to Big Oil, even though these companies are already making record profits. They are keeping in place tax breaks for oil and gas exploration and development expenses that cost $1.8 billion a year alone. They have flip-flopped on their position on a strong emission cap. They have let Canadians down.

While big oil hides behind Trump’s threats and rising costs to dodge their responsibility, my New Democrat colleagues and I are putting forward a plan that makes polluters pay, meets our climate targets, and puts people first.

The NDP will cancel subsidies for oil and gas CEOs, and protect families that are paying the ultimate price for this climate crisis. We’ll make industrial polluters pay more, with strong industrial carbon pricing and a hard cap on oil and gas emissions.

We will eliminate $18B in oil and gas subsidies and put that money towards retrofits that work for people, lowering energy bills. We will create thousands of good jobs in construction, clean tech, and manufacturing.

While other parties protect those at the top and big companies, New Democrats defend our environment and will stop letting big polluters off the hook.

‍ Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada):

I started working on climate change more than 40 years ago and I will continue to work to turn around Canada’s position as the worst G7 nation on this issue.

I will work to combat plastic pollution, the significance of which was recently illustrated by a US study that found that the human brains studied contained on average, seven grams of plastic, the equivalent of seven bottle caps.

In addition, I would expect to work on those areas where the federal government has specific constitutional responsibility, such as parks, marine habitat for orcas and other sea creatures, migratory bird and endangered species protection, fisheries management, and the increased risk of an oil spill because of the completion of the TMX Pipeline.

Steve Filipovic (Independent):

I will raise the issue of overhead spraying of chemicals in Canada and strive to return our blue unadulterated skies.

Geoengineering experiments to influence the weather mean we are all in the Petri dish and at risk from the chemical pollutants used.

David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada):

My first concern is the questions that arise from the carbon tax. If there was a crisis that meant we needed the carbon tax, then why have we dropped the carbon tax? Does it mean that the climate crisis is over? Or maybe it means we were lied to in the first place, and the carbon tax was implemented under false pretenses. If the crisis still exists, then what is the government going to do about it?

Where is the old Carbon Tax going to appear? I hear rumours [it is] going to be assessed on industry instead of the people. But industry will just pass those costs onto the people, so we will still be paying the carbon tax, but just better hidden.

My second concern is the amount of arable land we have on the Island. We need to keep that land producing food to feed Islanders. This problem has to be addressed across Canada. The more arable land we release to housing and industry, the less food production we have. This would mean having to import more food, and therefore higher costs.

The US has taken an increasingly aggressive stance on trade, security, and global policy. How will you and your party protect Island interests, including tourism, commerce, and the environment, while maintaining a stable relationship with our neighbours in Washington state?

‍ Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada): ‍

Under Mark Carney’s leadership, Canada will grow its economy through investment in clean energy, infrastructure, and trade reform. These priorities will help Vancouver Island strengthen tourism, enhance environmental protection, and expand cross-border commerce.

We’ll work with Washington state to support green ports, sustainable transportation links, and shared prosperity in coastal communities. This strategy protects local jobs, promotes climate resilience, and keeps our relationship with our US neighbours strong and stable.

‍ Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada):

The US is a critical partner for Victoria’s economy, from tourism to trade. Conservatives will work to secure strong trade deals that protect Canadian industries, including BC’s forestry and fishing sectors, while standing firm against unfair US tariffs.

We’ll also invest in cross-border infrastructure to make travel and commerce easier for South Islanders. And when it comes to shared environmental concerns, like protecting the Salish Sea, I’ll push for joint conservation efforts that benefit both sides of the border. A strong relationship with Washington state benefits everyone, and I’ll ensure Victoria’s voice is heard in Ottawa and beyond.

‍ Laurel Collins (New Democratic Party of Canada):

Canada faces serious threats to our economy and sovereignty.

Here on Vancouver Island, we look out for one another, and we need our government to do the same. We need to build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient Canadian economy, not just to weather the storm of Trump’s trade war, but for the long term.

The NDP would ensure every dollar collected from Canada’s counter tariffs goes directly to support workers and communities hit hardest. We would immediately push for expanded Employment Insurance so workers and families don’t fall through the cracks, and we would provide financial support to workers and small businesses in the event of a prolonged trade war.

We also need to build more and support our economy with good-paying local jobs. That's why the NDP announced our plan to bring in Victory Bonds. Every dollar raised will be dedicated entirely to public infrastructure, supporting shovel-ready projects that we will own for generations while boosting our economy.

Our economy here, especially our tourism economy, is tied to our neighbours in the south. We need to continue to work with elected officials along the coast, who have been allies with us and continue to welcome Americans to our beautiful island to contribute to the local economy here. We can also attract more visitors from BC and the rest of Canada, as we support Canadians in choosing to avoid vacationing in the US.

We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful and unique place that people around the world want to visit. That is why we need to invest in our community and invest in our infrastructure so that we can not only support families and workers in our region, but also support the tens of thousands of people who want to come and experience the beauty of Vancouver Island.

As the MP, I have successfully pushed for federal investments in the Belleville Terminal, as well as federal investment in shore power at Ogden Point, and I continue to support the Maritime Museum Inner Harbour project that would include a Lekwungen welcome centre and exhibit space.

Canada is better with strong, progressive New Democrats in Ottawa. We will defend Canadians, build our local economy, and take on corporate greed to make life more affordable.

‍ Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada):

It is already not possible to maintain the same relationship with our neighbours in Washington state or elsewhere in the USA that we had before the current US administration took power.  To protect our economy, we have to now do the things that have been talked about for decades but not acted upon:  eliminate domestic trade barriers; form new international trading relationships; and add value to our raw materials before exporting them.  To protect our sovereignty, the Green Party proposes:

• Creating a 120,000-strong National Civil Defence Corps
• The provision of universal civil defence training
• Expanding Canada’s reserve forces by 20,000 members
• Transforming the Canadian Service Corps into a full-fledged national youth service program
• Strengthening Arctic sovereignty through Indigenous leadership, with increased funding for Canadian Rangers and local defence initiatives

Steve Filipovic (Independent):

Evidence-based improvements to the border are the low-hanging fruit to securing good relations with the USA.

[Approximately] 19% of our GDP is from trade with our neighbours south of the border. Trump campaigned on border security and the people of the US supported that vision, so standing in the way is counterproductive.

The parties have shown they are willing to risk a large portion of our economy to pose as tough on Trump with no real upside.

‍ David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada):

As this is also a direct to CRD problem, there is little that I can do at the federal level.

But I would be willing to travel to Washington state with any delegates, for discussions with our counterparts to see what might be done at the federal level.

‍ In one sentence: Why should Victoria voters choose you?

Will Greaves (Liberal Party of Canada): ‍

As a national security expert, global politics scholar, and community leader, I offer Victoria a long-overdue chance to have a seat at the table and a strong voice in government.

‍ Angus Ross (Conservative Party of Canada):

‍ I offer Victoria a strong voice with real-world experience, and the integrity to fight for common-sense solutions that make life more affordable and our streets safer for future generations .

‍ Laurel Collins (New Democratic Party of Canada):

For decades, Victoria has elected New Democrats because we have a track record of delivering for people and stopping Conservatives—and when times get tough, people can count on me to protect what matters most — their health care, pensions, jobs, and the environment.

‍ Michael Doherty (Green Party of Canada):

Because: (a) I’m the best-qualified candidate; (b) unlike the other national parties, the Green Party allows MPs to vote in the interests of their constituents by forbidding “whipped” votes, so I won’t make pledges to voters at election time that I can't fulfill when I’m in office; and (c) voters realize that climate change isn’t a hoax and that the other national parties that have gotten us into our current situation on that and so many other problems are not going to be the ones to get us out of those problems.

‍ Steve Filipovic (Independent):

The People of Victoria should choose me as MP, as it's much better to have an independent trying to serve Victoria than a party of whipped MPs pretending to serve Victoria.

‍ David Mohr (People’s Party of Canada):

I am a fighter who believes that the job of an MP means that I represent your interests first—not mine or my party's—and therefore, when my constituents make it clear what way I am to vote, that is exactly how I vote in Parliament.

‍ *Incumbent