In the leadup to the April 28 federal election, Black Press Media asked the candidates in the Victoria riding a series of three questions. These are their responses.
What would your party do to safeguard south Island workers and businesses from the fallout from tariffs?
Laurel Collins – NDP
Canada faces serious threats to our economy, sovereignty, and to working people. Trump’s trade war is already driving up prices, and the tariffs are already costing Canadian jobs. 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 go 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.
Here on Vancouver Island, we look out for one another, and we need our government to do the same. While other parties protect those at the top, New Democrats defend what matters most to you.
Michael Doherty – Green
The Green Party will push the Government of Canada to buffer the economic transitions caused by tariffs and other measures being imposed by the current U.S. government since individuals and businesses do indeed face job losses and income reductions. This will require recognizing that the mutually beneficial economic relationship with the U.S.A. that Canada previously enjoyed is over, and that the Government of Canada must facilitate new trade relations both within Canada and with other countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Some of the specific measures proposed by the Green Party – such as the creation of strategic reserves – will help businesses to build a more resilient Canadian economy, while others – such as a guaranteed income, and the creation of a national civil defence corps – will be important tools in maintaining income for workers through a difficult time. The Green Party will ensure that Canada’s new, post-Trump economy is better, cleaner, and more prosperous than the old one in which Canada was too often merely the supplier of raw materials for the benefit of other countries’ industries.
Will Greaves – Liberal
Under Mark Carney's leadership, the Liberal Party is laser-focused on defending Canada's economy against Donald Trump's unjustified trade war. If re-elected, we will remove interprovincial trade barriers; invest in critical infrastructure like ports, railways, and clean energy; diversify our trade partners; and prioritize new economic projects that serve Canada’s national interest.
These measures will make it easier for Canadians to move and work across provinces, improve recognition of interprovincial and foreign credentials, and boost domestic trade and long-term economic growth.
Coastal communities on the South Island will benefit directly from these investments – especially through targeted support for the tech sector, and new national defence and military infrastructure. Improved infrastructure will strengthen our local ports and clean energy systems, making our region more resilient and competitive.
We’ll also deliver targeted support for workers in hard-hit sectors like forestry, fisheries, and manufacturing, ensuring people and businesses across Vancouver Island aren’t left behind.
This is about standing up for Canadians in the face of global economic threats – with a plan that grows our economy, protects jobs, and secures our future.
Angus Ross – Conservative
Angus Ross did not respond to requests for an interview or to emailed questions.
What do you see as the best way to address the cost-of-living crisis?
Michael Doherty – Green
In a market economy, the price of many types of goods is dictated by the market, so there is little opportunity for meaningful government intervention. In Canada, however, two of the big drivers of cost-of-living increases are ones where useful action by the federal government is possible, namely housing and transportation costs.
In Greater Victoria, one way that the federal government could lower housing costs is by building much more housing for military personnel so that thousands of housing units come back on the market. Only 17% of CFB Esquimalt military staff live in military housing, while the rest must compete for housing in the private market. This contrasts with the situation in the U.S.A., for example, where 70% of military personnel live in military housing.
Transportation costs should be lowered (while also reducing pollution and road congestion) by making new investments in public transit. As well, government should do more to help consumers to transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, since electricity is cheaper than gas and has regulated prices. The federal government should reconsider the 100% tariffs recently imposed on Chinese electric vehicles, since without those tariffs, Canadians would be able to buy new electric cars for $15,000.
Will Greaves – Liberal
The cost-of-living crisis demands bold, practical solutions. A Carney government will tackle it head-on by doubling the rate of new home construction over the next decade and eliminating the GST on first-time home purchases up to $1 million. This will make it easier for families to afford a home and relieve pressure on the rental market.
We’ve already cancelled the consumer carbon tax to lower energy costs for Canadians, and we’ll go further by delivering a middle-class tax cut that reduces the lowest income tax bracket by 1 percentage point. This will save two-income families up to $825 a year and benefit over 22 million Canadians – with the greatest help going to middle- and low-income earners.
We will also expand dental care and reform Employment Insurance so workers can access support faster when they need it most.
These targeted measures will help Canadians keep more of what they earn and spend it where it matters most: on homes, groceries, and their families. And by investing in critical infrastructure and diversifying our economy, we’ll build a more resilient Canada – one that can stand strong in the face of global pressures like President Trump’s tariffs, while ensuring everyone has a fair shot at getting ahead.
Laurel Collins – NDP
People are struggling to afford housing, groceries, and bills, while corporations are raking in record profits.
The NDP would push the government to cap prices on essential grocery items so people can afford to put food on the table, and permanently remove GST from essential goods like milk, bread and diapers.
We’ll end handouts to big oil and gas, and use those billions to retrofit Canadians’ homes – reducing energy costs and emissions.
To bring down rents, we need to ban big corporate landlords, like Brookfield, from buying affordable rentals. These companies renovict tenants then raise prices to make shareholders richer. We also need to build more co-op housing and truly affordable homes.
The Liberals allowed large grocery chains to keep gouging Canadians, and Conservatives believe that the government should give people less and corporations more.
Canada is better with strong, progressive New Democrats in Ottawa. Our NDP team forced the Liberal government to make the biggest expansion to our public health-care system through Dental Care and Pharamacare programs that are already bringing costs down for families, but there’s more to do.
The NDP will defend Canadians, build our economy, take on corporate greed to make life more affordable.
With the south Island’s aging demographic, what would you do to ensure Canada’s seniors continue to have access to the services they need?
Will Greaves – Liberal
With an aging population on the South Island, a Mark Carney-led Liberal government will ensure seniors have the support they need – especially in the face of economic uncertainty caused by President Trump’s tariffs. Canadians are concerned about what this instability means for their savings, their jobs, and their businesses. As in past economic crises, we must act quickly and decisively to protect those most at risk.
To help seniors weather this storm, Liberals will implement two targeted measures:
First, we will reduce the minimum amount that must be withdrawn from a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) by 25% for one year. This gives seniors more flexibility in choosing when to draw from their retirement savings, helping them avoid unnecessary losses in a volatile market.
Second, we will increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement by 5% for one year – providing up to $652 in additional, tax-free support for low-income seniors.
Seniors will also benefit from more affordable housing options, making it easier to find homes that meet their needs without leaving their communities.
These measures reflect our commitment to protect incomes and savings, and ensure seniors can age with dignity, stability, and access to the services they deserve.
Laurel Collins – NDP
Seniors spent their working lives building up Canada. They deserve to age with dignity. New Democrats will make sure seniors don’t fall through the gaps – increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and building more affordable housing, including townhomes and mixed-use homes so seniors can downsize in their community and live closer to family and friends.
We need to defend our public health-care system and support people as they age. The NDP would invest in better home care and long-term care so our elders aren’t spending months in hospital beds waiting for a spot.
Every Canadian deserves access to primary care. We’ll increase health-care funding to support the provinces to recruit and retain more doctors. We’ll 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 practice where they’re needed with a pan-Canadian licence.
If it wasn’t for Tommy Douglas and a small group of NDP MPs, Canada would not have a public health-care system. The NDP will always stand up against American-style privatization. New Democrats get results, and we’ll always defend you.
Michael Doherty – Green
The fact is that Canada’s seniors – and younger Canadians too – already do not have access to the services they need.
Consider family doctors, for example: many of us on the south Island do not have a family doctor or any prospect of getting one. The delay in getting medical procedures has increased dramatically, from a waiting time of 9.3 weeks in 1993 to 30 weeks in 2024.
This deterioration of our health-care system didn’t just happen, it was caused by poor planning and mismanagement by senior governments. The Government of Canada should be working with provincial governments and the colleges of physicians and surgeons to streamline admission procedures for new doctors, particularly those from the U.S.A. who may wish to leave behind the current political situation in that country.
For seniors specifically, the Green Party will help more people train as care workers, will support home-care services for seniors, will create intergenerational co-housing for elders and youth, and will make sure that family members who care for loved ones get both financial support and workplace protection. As well, the introduction of a Guaranteed Livable Income will ensure that no one lives in poverty.
