Nanaimo—Ladysmith

Nanaimo—Ladysmith is a federal riding on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The by-election was called following the resignation of NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson, who stepped down on January 2, 2019, to run in a provincial by-election for the seat of Nanaimo MLA on January 30, 2019, which she won. Malcolmson left her federal seat to enter provincial politics after Leonard Krog, the previous provincial MLA, resigned to become Mayor of Nanaimo following the October 2018 municipal election.

Candidates

Paul Manly (Green Party) — A researcher, filmmaker, and communications specialist from Nanaimo whose father, James Manly, had served as a New Democratic MP. Manly had initially sought the NDP nomination for Nanaimo—Ladysmith in 2015 but was denied by the party's federal executive, after which he ran for the Green Party, finishing fourth. His election made him the second Green MP ever elected federally in Canada, after party leader Elizabeth May.

John Hirst (Conservative) — A Nanaimo native working as an associate manager with Sun Life Financial and serving as president of the Nanaimo Gyro Club. He won the local Conservative nomination over challenger Jennifer Clarke.

Bob Chamberlin (NDP) — An Indigenous leader who served as chief councillor of Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation, based on Gilford Island in the Broughton Archipelago off northeastern Vancouver Island. He was serving his third term as vice-president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs at the time of the by-election.

Michelle Corfield (Liberal) — A member of the Ucluelet First Nation on her mother's side, Corfield held a bachelor's degree in First Nations studies, a master's in conflict analysis and management, and a PhD in management. She had worked for 25 years as an educator, facilitator, and negotiator around treaty negotiations, including eight years as chair of the legislative council implementing the Ucluelet First Nation's treaty, and most recently served as chair of the Nanaimo Port Authority.

Jennifer Clarke ran for the People's Party of Canada, and Brian Marlatt represented the Progressive Canadian Party.

About the Riding

Nanaimo—Ladysmith covers a substantial portion of southeastern Vancouver Island, stretching from the town of Ladysmith in the south through the city of Nanaimo and north to include Lantzville and Nanoose Bay, as well as Gabriola Island. The riding was created in the 2012 redistribution and had become the most populous on Vancouver Island by 2019.

Nanaimo, the riding's largest city, serves as a major trading and service centre for central Vancouver Island. The economy has transitioned from its historical reliance on resource extraction—particularly coal mining and forestry—toward a diversified service economy. Healthcare and social services represent the largest employment sector, followed by retail. Vancouver Island University and School District 68 are among the largest employers. The Nanaimo Port Authority handles approximately three million tonnes of cargo annually, and Harmac Pacific operates a pulp mill in the area.

The population is predominantly English-speaking, with a significant retiree demographic drawn by the mild coastal climate. The riding includes several First Nations communities. The median income in 2020 was approximately $39,600, somewhat below the provincial average.