Courtenay—Alberni

Courtenay—Alberni spans a vast stretch of central Vancouver Island, covering more than 8,500 square kilometres from Lantzville and north Nanaimo on the east coast up through Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and Courtenay, then westward across the island's mountainous spine through Port Alberni and the Alberni Valley to Tofino, Ucluelet, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the open Pacific. The riding also takes in Denman and Hornby islands in the Strait of Georgia. Eleven First Nations communities fall within its boundaries, including the K’ómoks, Hupacasath, and Tseshaht peoples. With more than 100,000 residents spread across 31 villages, towns, and cities, the riding encompasses some of the island’s most spectacular and ecologically sensitive landscapes.

Candidates

Gord Johns (NDP) is the incumbent, first elected in 2015 and seeking a fourth term. Raised in Victoria, Johns moved to Tofino where he ran an eco-friendly retail business for 13 years before the 2008–2009 recession forced its closure. He also operated a small art gallery and served as a municipal councillor for the District of Tofino from 2008 to 2011. He later became executive director of the Tofino–Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. In Ottawa, Johns has served as the NDP critic for mental health and harm reduction.

Kris McNichol (Conservative) is a Parksville businessman who has lived in the Parksville and Nanoose Bay area for over 30 years. He is part owner of Sproat Lake Marina and runs a company supplying pumps and pumping systems to aquaculture operations on the west coast. A first-time political candidate, McNichol has been active in community sports, coaching softball and serving as president of the Oceanside Minor Softball Association.

Brian Cameron (Liberal) is a certified aircraft engineer living in the Comox Valley. Born and raised in Ottawa, Cameron has worked in aviation and film across every province and territory. In 2013, he completed a solo bicycle journey across Canada to raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Public service runs in his family—his great-great-grandfather served as a Liberal MP in the 1880s.

Chris Markevich (Green Party) has spent over a decade in political organizing, working with movements across Canada. He previously worked on Parliament Hill and volunteered on multiple election campaigns at the provincial, federal, and municipal levels. Markevich serves as the Green Party critic for mental health and addictions.

Thomas Gamble (People’s Party) ran on a platform emphasizing individual freedoms and reduced government intervention.

Teresa Knight (Animal Protection Party) is a first-time candidate who entered the 2025 race to advocate for animal welfare issues in the political arena.

About the Riding

Courtenay—Alberni’s economy reflects the diversity of its geography. The Comox Valley, anchored by the city of Courtenay, is one of Vancouver Island’s fastest-growing areas, attracting retirees and young families drawn by its relatively affordable housing and outdoor lifestyle. CFB Comox, located just outside the riding’s boundaries, has a significant economic influence on the region. Parksville and Qualicum Beach serve as retirement and tourism destinations along the sheltered east coast.

Port Alberni, situated at the head of the Alberni Inlet, was historically a forestry and fishing centre. Mill closures over the past two decades have forced economic diversification, though the forest sector remains important. The town is also the gateway to the west coast, where Tofino and Ucluelet anchor a tourism economy built around surfing, storm watching, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The region’s wild salmon fishery and aquaculture operations are significant employers, though fish farming practices have been a contentious local issue, particularly regarding their impact on wild salmon stocks.

In 2025, housing affordability was a pressing concern across the riding, with prices in communities like Courtenay and Parksville climbing steadily. Health-care access in rural and remote communities, particularly on the west coast, remained a persistent challenge. The opioid crisis continued to weigh heavily on smaller communities including Port Alberni, which has experienced some of the highest overdose rates on the island. Environmental stewardship—particularly old-growth forest management and marine conservation—remained a defining issue for many voters in a riding where the natural landscape is central to both the economy and the local identity.