Courtenay--Alberni

Courtenay--Alberni is a sprawling federal electoral district that stretches across the central spine of Vancouver Island, covering approximately 8,571 square kilometres. The riding extends from the coastal communities of Parksville and Lantzville on the east side to the surf towns of Tofino and Ucluelet on the Pacific west coast, and northward through the Comox Valley to Cumberland. Created by the 2012 redistribution and first contested in 2015, the riding encompasses more than 100,000 residents spread across 31 villages, towns, and cities, along with eleven First Nations communities in the traditional territories of the Nuu-chah-nulth, Coast Salish, and K'omoks peoples.

Candidates

Gord Johns (NDP) has represented Courtenay--Alberni since 2015 and has lived in the riding for over 25 years. A graduate of Mount Douglas Secondary School and Camosun College, Johns operated a sustainable products store in Tofino for 13 years before entering politics. He previously served as a municipal councillor in Tofino and has held NDP critic roles in small business, tourism, veterans affairs, and mental health.

Mary Lee (Conservative) is a retired Canadian Armed Forces Major and communications professional. A 1991 graduate of Royal Military College in Kingston with a degree in business and commerce, Lee served as an air traffic controller before transitioning to the public affairs branch. At the time of the election, she was working as manager of communications for School District 71 in the Comox Valley.

Susan Farlinger (Liberal) is a long-time resident of central Vancouver Island, a retired biologist, and former senior public servant. She dedicated her career at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to working with fishermen, environmental organizations, and First Nations stewardship groups on issues of ocean sustainability and aquatic ecosystem health.

Susanne Lawson (Green Party) is an accomplished artist and environmental advocate who studied arts and languages at McGill University and graphic design in Montreal. She owned and operated galleries in both Gastown and Tofino and has been involved in environmental campaigns including efforts to protect Clayoquot Sound from logging and to prevent mining in Strathcona Park.

Robert Eppich (PPC) is a former communications manager turned software developer who holds a degree in Political Science from UBC. He relocated from the Lower Mainland to Denman Island more than a decade before the election.

About the Riding

The riding's geography is defined by Vancouver Island's mountainous interior, which separates its east-coast and west-coast communities. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, one of Canada's most visited national parks, anchors the western portion of the riding near Tofino and Ucluelet, drawing surfers, storm-watchers, and nature tourists from around the world. The Comox Valley -- centred on the city of Courtenay -- serves as the riding's largest population hub and is home to Canadian Forces Base Comox, one of the major employers in the region.

Port Alberni, located at the head of the Alberni Inlet -- the longest inlet on Vancouver Island -- historically depended on forestry and fishing. The town has worked to diversify its economy through tourism and outdoor recreation, serving as a gateway to the West Coast Trail and Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. The accommodation, food services, and construction industries employ large numbers of residents, alongside the dominant health care and social assistance sector.

The riding's demographics skew older and more anglophone than the provincial average, with roughly 91% of residents reporting English as their primary language and over half reporting no religious affiliation. The median income has historically trailed provincial figures, reflecting the riding's reliance on seasonal industries such as tourism, fishing, and forestry. Housing affordability -- particularly in resort communities like Tofino and Ucluelet, where vacation rental demand has driven up prices -- is a persistent local concern.