Esquimalt-Metchosin

Esquimalt-Metchosin was reconstituted for the 2017 election through redistribution, replacing the former riding of Esquimalt-Royal Roads. The new boundaries added Metchosin while removing Victoria West. The NDP's Maurine Karagianis had held the predecessor riding for three terms, serving as MLA since 2005. When Karagianis announced her retirement, both the NDP and the BC Liberals fielded high-profile candidates to compete for the seat. The riding encompassed the municipality of Esquimalt, home to CFB Esquimalt and the Esquimalt naval dockyard, along with the more rural community of Metchosin, Colwood, and View Royal.

Candidates

Mitzi Jayne Dean (BC NDP) — Dean was the executive director of the Pacific Centre Family Services Association in Colwood, a non-profit providing counselling and family support services. Born in Sevenoaks, England, she had worked in fundraising, development, and community-based social services across Great Britain for over 20 years before moving to Victoria in 2005.

Barb Desjardins (BC Liberal Party) — Desjardins was in her third term as mayor of Esquimalt and was also serving as chair of the Capital Regional District board. Her municipal profile and name recognition made her a strong challenger in a riding that included the municipality she led.

Andy MacKinnon (BC Green Party) — MacKinnon was a Metchosin councillor, professional forester, and professional biologist. He was co-author of six best-selling books about plants of western North America and held an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University, where he also served as an adjunct professor.

Minor candidates included Josh Steffler (Libertarian), Delmar Martay (Independent), and Tyson Riel Strandlund (Communist Party of BC).

Local Issues

Housing affordability was a pressing concern in the riding, particularly in Esquimalt and Colwood, where proximity to downtown Victoria made the communities attractive but increasingly expensive. Young military families posted to CFB Esquimalt faced particular challenges finding affordable housing near the base, and rental vacancy rates in Greater Victoria were among the lowest in the country.

Health care access was another significant issue. Residents identified the need for more family physicians, better access to mental health services, and improved seniors' care. The opioid crisis was intensifying across Greater Victoria, and the riding's social service organizations, including the one Dean directed, were on the front lines of responding to overdose emergencies and providing support to affected families.

Transportation was also a concern, with commuters calling for improved transit connections between the West Shore communities and downtown Victoria. The idea of a commuter rail service or enhanced ferry connections between the West Shore and the capital had been discussed for years without concrete action. Environmental stewardship mattered to voters in Metchosin, a rural community that prided itself on its natural character, and reconciliation with local First Nations, including the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, was also part of the local conversation.