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The federal election is a four-way race in Nanaimo–Ladysmith, with the Conservatives, NDP, Green Party and Liberals all vying for people’s vote in the currently New Democrat riding.

Early projections suggest the Conservative candidate is in the lead to take the electoral district, followed closely by the NDP, Liberal and Green parties. 

Both Conservative and Green leaders have visited Nanaimo. And former Green Party MP — currently a Nanaimo city councillor — Paul Manly has stepped into the electoral ring to challenge the NDP’s incumbent Lisa Marie Barron, Conservative candidate Tamara Kronis, Liberal hopeful Michelle Corfield, and People’s Party of Canada nominee Stephen Welton. 

The tight race in Nanaimo—Ladysmith is a hot topic with a reader suggesting that we ask progressive candidates how they plan to avoid “the almost inevitable vote splitting that increases the likelihood of electing a Conservative MP in Nanaimo and Pierre Poilievre as our next prime minister.”

Both Manly and Barron are saying that they are the best bet for voters to defeat the Conservatives. But Michael MacKenzie, the Jarislowksy chair in trust and political leadership at Vancouver Island University, isn’t convinced that the progressive vote will coalesce around any one candidate. 

You can read my full story about the thorny issue of vote-splitting and strategic voting, but keep in mind that the election campaign is far from over.

As part of our election coverage, we’ve also created a voters’ guide for Nanaimo—Ladysmith to help you learn more about the candidates running, and how and when you can vote. 

I will be focusing my election coverage on the Nanaimo—Ladysmith riding, but I wanted to note that part of north Nanaimo is now in the Courtenay—Alberni riding.

If you haven’t done so already, make sure to fill out our election survey and let us know what issues are important to you, and what the questions you want to ask candidates are.  

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

Progressive vote split in Nanaimo—Ladysmith

Green Party and NDP candidates make the case that they can defeat the Conservatives, but political scientist says it’s too close to call.

Nanaimo’s guide to the 2025 federal election

What electoral district am I in? Who are the candidates? When is voting day again? All the election basics, covered.

I support The Discourse because...

“Thanks for fact checking Propp's statement, Mick. There are far too many people who equate LGBTQ2S with the 'grooming' of children. It's reporting like this that puts you a step above.”

— Tami, supporter of The Discourse Nanaimo.

On the Island

🌊 Find out who’s running in the federal election, and all the voting basics in our Cowichan—Malahat—Langford Voter Guide.

In other news

👉 Vancouver Island University will receive $600,000 to deliver basic adult education and English-language learning programs. Launched in 2022, the programs help domestic students brush up on English, math and science so they can qualify for post-secondary admission. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.

 👉 Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre stopped in Nanaimo to visit workers at Western Forest Products. He promised to take a tough-on-crime approach, including life sentences for anyone convicted of five counts of dealing fentanyl, human trafficking, or importing 10 or more firearms. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.

 👉 Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, co-leaders of the Green Party of Canada, also dropped by the Harbour City to pitch the Greens’ plan to stop what they call “rip and ship” exports of Canada’s natural resources. The pair pledged to create a Crown corporation to hold a strategic reserve of materials including raw aluminum, steel, lumber, rare earth minerals, potash and bitumen. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.

👉 Hundreds of Americans are planning to visit Nanaimo later this month, part of a plan to show support for Canada as more tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump kicked in today on Canada’s automotive sector. Tod Maffin estimates that between 600 to 900 U.S. residents will visit the city on the April 25-27 weekend as part of a “Nanaimo Infusion” that stemmed from a video on Tik Tok that Maffin made in late February inviting people to visit the city. Nanaimo News Now has the story.

👉  Demolition is underway at the former Howard Johnson hotel near the Millstone River in downtown Nanaimo. After being abandoned for years, the building is being torn down to make way for a mixed-use development by Snuneymuxw First Nation, who the land was returned to last year. Nanaimo News Now has the story.  

Have your say

Survey: What federal election issues are important to you?

📣 The federal election takes place on April 28, and advance polls open on April 18.

At The Discourse, we believe that you, the community, should guide the federal election conversation. We want to know what’s important to you and offer coverage that responds to your questions and concerns.

Tell us what you think and we’ll do our best to dig into the issues that matter to you, and pose your questions to local candidates. Your participation in this survey will help inform our work and contribute to local dialogue about this election. Thanks for being part of it!

Have something to say about the news? Email nanaimo@thediscourse.ca. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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