NanaimoNewsNOW surveyed candidates in the riding, to ask them their priorities if elected, as well as how they would continue to be a community champion in the event they're not sent to Ottawa by voters. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

local issues

Nanaimo-Ladysmith: What issues candidates would advocate for, regardless of election result

Apr 14, 2025 | 11:58 AM

NANAIMO — What are the issues most important to the candidates running in the 2025 Federal Election?

NanaimoNewsNOW surveyed all five candidates running in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, asking them to highlight their personal opinions, beliefs and priorities, rather than just the platform of their party, on a number of key issues.

Candidates were asked the same question and provided up to 250 words to respond by a Monday, April 14 deadline. NanaimoNewsNOW has not edited the responses, aside from trimming any which exceed the word limit. Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order, by last name.

The first in a three-part series asks: If elected, you would have the opportunity to advocate for key issues affecting the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding. What would be your immediate local priorities, and how would you continue to advocate for this community’s needs and champion its concerns, regardless of the outcome of the election?

Lisa Marie Barron (i) (NDP): The immediate priority is to make life more affordable for everyday people. The biggest issue for so many here is the struggle to find affordable, secure, long-term housing. We can’t rely on the private market to do this because it will always put profit over people. Raising kids as a single working mom, I’ve experienced this struggle first-hand and the sense of helplessness it creates. Housing is a human right – not a luxury – and we must do better for people in our region.

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I support a plan for Nanaimo-Ladysmith that ends preferential tax treatment for corporate landlords and bans them from buying existing affordable housing. I want to see a buy and build Canadian approach particularly to all new publicly-funded housing, and to see federal land protected from private sale and used for affordable homes instead. I support expanding and expediting the federal Rental Protection Fund and federal rent controls to stop renovictions and unfair rent hikes that artificially inflate costs for everyone.

For prospective homeowners in our region, I want to see the CMHC unlocked to offer low-interest, public-backed mortgages, the elimination of the GST for first-time homebuyers on homes under $1.5M, and more incentives for local Canadian businesses who produce modular housing that can be quickly added to the housing stock.

If we can immediately get down to the work of addressing housing affordability, we will have the foundation to give more people in Nanaimo-Ladysmith the financial breathing room they need.

Michelle Corfield (Liberals): If elected, my immediate priorities will reflect what I hear on doorsteps every day: affordable housing, timely access to health care, and real action on the opioid and mental health crises. I will advocate for federal investment in a new hospital tower in Nanaimo, more co-op and modular housing, and mental health and addiction supports that reflect our region’s needs — not just urban models.

Tamara Kronis (Conservatives): My top priorities include running a responsive constituency office, lowering the cost of living, addressing the opioid and drug crisis, supporting our seniors, combating crime, and honouring our veterans.

Paul Manly (Green Party): The rising cost of living, especially housing, is the most urgent issue facing our community. My top priority will be securing federal investment in permanently affordable housing: co-ops, supportive homes, and non-market rentals that stay affordable for good. These are models I’ve pushed for as a city councillor and as your MP.

Health care is also in crisis. Too many people can’t find a doctor or get the care they need. I’ll advocate for more community health centres and wraparound mental health supports, including complex care housing for those struggling with addiction and homelessness.

In Parliament, I delivered results on trade, housing, pensions, and disability rights by working across party lines. I’ve fought corporate overreach, worked to protect old-growth forests, and stood up for our community interests in international agreements.

As Executive Director of The Unitarian Shelter, I’ve worked directly with the most vulnerable. I met countless individuals who never imagined they’d need a homeless shelter: working people, students, people with disabilities, and far too many seniors. I raised $300,000 to renovate the shelter so it could stay open. I don’t just talk about solutions, I’ve delivered them.

I have assisted numerous local non-profit organizations with fundraising and community outreach.

Whether I’m elected or not, I’ll keep showing up, doing the work, and fighting for Nanaimo–Ladysmith, because this is my home, and that won’t change after this campaign is over.

Stephen Welton (PPC): My immediate priorities, directly in line with the PPC platform, would be to influence changes to the immigration practices through speech on the House floor and by introducing Bills, to reduce the pressure on our housing prices and quickly and effectively improve the affordability of housing for Canadians.

Everyone knows that house prices and rental rates go up relative to demand. We’ve seen a huge demand for housing as, obviously, immigrants need somewhere to live. Ergo, house prices and rental rates have gone up at unsustainable rates. The PPC would advocate for reduced immigration to take the foot off the inflationary gas pedal.

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