Nanaimo—Ladysmith

Nanaimo—Ladysmith sits on the east coast of Vancouver Island, encompassing the southern portion of the city of Nanaimo, the town of Ladysmith, and surrounding communities including Cedar and the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Under the 2022 redistribution, the riding's northern boundary shifted southward, moving the Woodgrove area into the adjacent Courtenay—Alberni riding, while its core remained centred on Nanaimo's downtown, harbour, and southern neighbourhoods. With a population that grew significantly over the preceding decade, Nanaimo—Ladysmith became one of the most populous ridings on Vancouver Island, and the 2025 race drew national attention as one of the most competitive in British Columbia.

Candidates

Tamara Kronis (Conservative) is a lawyer and goldsmith who moved to Vancouver Island from Ontario. She previously worked as a trial assistant at the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia and served as advocacy director of Egale Canada, a national LGBTQ+ rights organization. She first ran in Nanaimo—Ladysmith in 2021, finishing a close second to the NDP incumbent.

Michelle Corfield (Liberal) is a member of the Ts'uubaa-asatx First Nation who was born in Port Alberni and raised in the Nanaimo area. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix and a master's in conflict analysis and management from Royal Roads University. A negotiation and facilitation consultant, she co-developed the Indigenous Business and Leadership Executive MBA at Simon Fraser University and has served as chair of the Nanaimo Port Authority and as a director of FortisBC.

Lisa Marie Barron (NDP) is the incumbent, first elected in 2021. A longtime Nanaimo resident, she previously worked as an elected school board trustee, community school coordinator, and youth mental health navigator. She holds a bachelor's degree from Vancouver Island University.

Paul Manly (Green Party) served as the MP for Nanaimo—Ladysmith from 2019 to 2021, winning a by-election to become only the second Green MP elected federally in Canadian history. After losing his seat in 2021, he was elected to Nanaimo City Council in 2022 with the most votes of any council candidate. A filmmaker and media professional, he is the son of former NDP MP Jim Manly.

Stephen Welton (People's Party) also stood as a candidate.

About the Riding

Nanaimo—Ladysmith's economy reflects its dual identity as a mid-island service hub and a coastal community with deep resource-sector roots. The Harmac Pacific pulp mill, situated on the harbour south of downtown, remains one of the riding's largest industrial employers. Vancouver Island University, the regional hospital, and the provincial and federal government offices in Nanaimo provide significant public-sector employment. Ladysmith, a heritage town on the 49th parallel, has a growing arts community and tourism economy.

The riding experienced rapid population growth in the years preceding the 2025 election, fueled by an influx of residents from Metro Vancouver seeking more affordable housing. This migration drove up local housing prices and rents, straining health-care services and infrastructure. Walk-in clinic closures and emergency-room overcrowding at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital were persistent concerns.

The Snuneymuxw First Nation, one of the largest First Nations in British Columbia, settled a significant land claim in the years before the election and began investing in the area. The riding's four-way competitive dynamic—with Conservative, Liberal, NDP, and Green candidates all drawing substantial support—made it one of the most closely watched races in the country, reflecting the diverse political outlook of a community in transition.