Doug Routley will represent Nanaimo-North Cowichan for a fifth term after holding off a challenge from the BC Greens on election night. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)
nanaimo-north cowichan

Routley locked in for fifth term in Nanaimo-North Cowichan

Oct 25, 2020 | 12:23 AM

NANAIMO — One of the BC NDP’s elder statesmen has won another four years in Victoria.

Doug Routley held off a strong challenge from Chris Istace of the BC Greens to retain his seat of Nanaimo-North Cowichan.

He’s held the riding since 2005 when it was called Cowichan-Ladysmith. Routley told NanaimoNewsNOW the challenging nature of his job is representing a wide area and a variety of special interests.

“You need to be aware there are a number of different perspectives and be willing to represent all of those,” Routley said.

Routley will return to Victoria as part of a strong NDP majority government and a near-clean sweep of Vancouver Island.

Sheila Malcolmson will return with Routley from the neighbouring Nanaimo riding while the party looks poised to pick up longtime Liberal stronghold Parksville-Qualicum.

“I’m very very grateful to voters that they’ve recognized we faced a serious foundational challenge to all of our institutions, our entire society and we’re going to rebuild from that together,” Routley said.

Liberal candidate and Ladysmith councillor Duck Paterson placed third.

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