The Driftwood posed three questions to the four candidates in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding federal election race. Their written answers are below; see next week’s Driftwood for a report from the April 15 all-candidates debate at Fulford Hall, and later this week on this website for a link to the video of that event, co-sponsored by the Driftwood and the Salt Spring Forum.
DAVID BECKHAM
Liberal Party of Canada
davidbeckhamliberal.ca
Q. How does your party propose to help Canadians weather the threat to Canada’s economy and sovereignty posed by the current U.S. administration?
A. A Mark Carney-led Liberal government will stand strong against Donald Trump and help Canadians by cutting taxes for the middle class, making EI supports easier to access and using all Canadian tariff proceeds to support Canadian workers.
We will do more than simply weather this storm. This is an opportunity to build the fastest-growing economy in the G7 by combining our now 13 separate economies into one single Canadian economic powerhouse. Among other actions, we will remove all federal internal trade barriers by Canada Day and invest $5 billion in a new Trade Diversification Corridor. Creating one Canadian economy will create higher paying jobs, improve affordability and strengthen our national security. This will more than offset the hit from Donald Trump’s unjustified tariffs. Expanding our economy by up to $200 billion a year is equivalent to a gain of $3,000 to $5,000 for every Canadian.
Q. Please describe another policy or focus of your party that you feel is particularly important.
A. I’m running to be part of the next Liberal government because I share Mark Carney’s belief that protecting the environment and growing the economy are not conflicting goals but are intertwined — a belief that underscores every plank in our platform.
I have first-hand experience in this. My two environmental innovations — one in recycling toxic wastewater in the concrete industry, the other in designing building envelopes that use solar energy to generate electricity for their buildings — prove that environmental innovation can be the key to future economic growth.
Q. Please describe two of your personal characteristics and/or experiences that you think will make you an exceptional MP for this riding.
A. While I’ve lived in B.C. since 1995 and have been a resident of Sidney since 2012, I grew up working the family farm in Manitoba. As a farmer, I’ve had the privilege of sowing and harvesting crops for more than 40 years. This has done more to inform my character and worldview than any other single aspect of my life. I have loved farming with an almost spiritual passion, and I hold the farming community deep in my heart with profound respect and reverence.
I am a passionately patriotic Canadian and I am determined to fight for our sovereignty, our culture and our traditions, and I believe that every citizen — regardless of wealth or status — deserves a fair chance to succeed. As a member of Mark Carney’s government — sitting in the Liberal caucus — it would be the honour of my life to represent the people of this magical place we call home.
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CATHIE OUNSTED
Conservative Party of Canada
votecathie.ca
Q. How does your party propose to help Canadians weather the threat to Canada’s economy and sovereignty posed by the current U.S. administration?
A. Our plan starts with an immediate response of reciprocal tariffs while supporting local businesses affected by these measures through our Keep Canadians Working Fund. These tariffs are unjustified, and I want to be clear — Canada will never be the 51st state.
After the election, we’ll propose accelerated CUSMA renegotiations with paused tariffs during talks. Throughout negotiations, we’ll fiercely protect our borders, resources, farmers, water and the local businesses impacted by tariffs. We’ll rebuild our military not because President Donald Trump demands it, but because it’s the right thing to do.
Long-term, we’ll strengthen our economy by cutting taxes, eliminating capital gains on Canadian investments and developing our resources. Building this economic fortress is how we truly protect Canadian sovereignty while ensuring prosperity for our communities here in Saanich-Gulf Islands and across Canada.
Q. Please describe another policy or focus of your party that you feel is particularly important.
A. If elected as your Conservative MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, I’ll tackle our housing crisis head-on. I’ll fight to eliminate the GST on new homes up to $1.3 million, potentially saving homebuyers up to $65,000 per home.
I’ll work to reimburse municipalities for cutting development fees by 50 per cent, resulting in up to $50,000 in savings for new homebuyers. Combined with the GST removal, this could save homebuyers up to $115,000.
I’ll push to free up land and expedite permits to increase housing construction by 15 per cent annually. I’ll also advocate to release underused federal land and buildings for housing development right here in our community.
I understand the frustration of endless bureaucratic delays. I’ll work tirelessly to streamline approval processes so we can build more homes, faster. Saanich-Gulf Islands deserves affordable housing solutions, and I’ll deliver them.
Q. Please describe two of your personal characteristics and/or experiences that you think will make you an exceptional MP for this riding.
A. First, my deep community roots and proven leadership. As a 35-year resident who has chaired the Victoria Airport Authority and served on the Central Saanich Police Board and Peninsula Co-op Board, I’ve dedicated decades to understanding and addressing our unique local challenges. This extensive community service demonstrates my commitment to putting local interests first.
Second, my financial expertise as a controller at a local accounting firm equips me with the practical skills to scrutinize government spending and ensure fiscal responsibility. I understand budgets, can identify waste and know how to make strategic investments that benefit our community rather than Ottawa bureaucrats. I work and live here alongside you, sharing your concerns about affordability, healthcare and environmental protection. I’ll bring both my leadership experience and financial acumen to Ottawa as your dedicated voice.
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ELIZABETH MAY
Green Party of Canada
votemay.ca
Q. How does your party propose to help Canadians weather the threat to Canada’s economy and sovereignty posed by the current U.S. administration?
A. The Greens recognize that Canada’s economic and political independence must not be at the mercy of unpredictable or unstable foreign governments, even longstanding allies. Under the current U.S. administration, we’ve seen an alarming shift toward protectionism, disinformation and climate denial, all of which pose real risks to Canada’s sovereignty and economy.
To protect Canadians, we will strengthen domestic manufacturing — particularly in renewable energy technologies and essential supply chains — so we’re less reliant on U.S. imports. We also advocate for a just transition toward a green economy that includes investing in sustainable agriculture, clean tech and interprovincial trade. The Greens believe in economic resilience through ecological responsibility. We will also champion a foreign policy that is values-based, asserting Canada’s independence while nurturing global cooperation rooted in climate leadership and human rights.
Q. Please describe another policy or focus of your party that you feel is particularly important.
A. One of the Green Party’s most important priorities is electoral reform. Our democracy is suffering under a first-past-the-post system that often fails to reflect the will of voters. We believe in implementing proportional representation to ensure that every vote counts, no matter where you live. This ensures creating a government that works collaboratively and can effectively tackle long-term issues like the climate crisis, housing and healthcare. Without a truly representative system, bold action is continuously hampered by partisan gridlock. Real democracy is the foundation of real progress.
Q. Please describe two of your personal characteristics and/or experiences that you think will make you an exceptional MP for this riding.
A. First and foremost, I bring experience and unwavering commitment. As a co-leader of the Green Party and the first Green MP elected in Canada, I have a proven record of standing up for this riding and amplifying the voices of our communities on the national stage. I work tirelessly, across party lines, to get results — whether that’s protecting the Southern Gulf Islands from tanker and freighter traffic or advancing environmental legislation.
Secondly, I bring deep-rooted integrity. I don’t make decisions based on political gain; I make them based on what’s right. I have lived on Vancouver Island for over a decade and consider the well-being of this region personal. I listen, I show up and I act with the values of our communities at heart. My only loyalty is to the people I serve and the future we want to build together.
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COLIN PLANT
New Democratic Party
colinplant.ndp.ca
Q. How does your party propose to help Canadians weather the threat to Canada’s economy and sovereignty posed by the current U.S. administration?
A. This is the issue that I have heard the most on the doorsteps. Trump’s tariffs will mean job losses for Canadians, higher prices for Americans and Canadians, and a weaker Canadian dollar. I am in it for working people and everyday families.
New Democrats have laid out a plan for: Dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs, cutting off the supply of critical minerals that the U.S. relies on. We would create a Jobs War Room that includes provinces, unions and business leaders so we can coordinate a sustained, well-organized, well-resourced outreach campaign to U.S. counterparts. We would implement a Build Canadian Buy Canadian strategy to build more of what we need here in Canada and prioritize products made by Canadian workers in public procurement. Instead of hoping trade with the United States will normalize, it’s time to build an economy that doesn’t rely on America. This includes investing in public infrastructure, building homes, hospitals, highways and bridges with Canadian materials, using Canadian workers. New Democrats would reform EI to ensure that all workers impacted by the trade war are taken care of.
Q. Please describe another policy or focus of your party that you feel is particularly important.
A. In a similar vein as the first question, the second issue I am hearing the most about in my conversations with neighbours is the rising cost of living. It is easy to blame Donald Trump’s trade war for rising costs, but this was a problem before he picked this fight. Corporate greed has been driving up the costs of everyday essentials for years. New Democrats will put a stop to that. We will take the GST off of essentials, including home heat, as well as placing a cap on grocery prices. We have committed to building 300,000 homes, we will work with provinces to implement rental caps and we will pay for this by eliminating the subsidies we pay to our already massively profitable oil and gas companies.
Q. Please describe two of your personal characteristics and/or experiences that you think will make you an exceptional MP for this riding.
A. It is hard for me to speak about myself. I think two things that have made me successful in local government are my optimism and my desire to listen. I don’t pretend to have all the solutions, or know all the issues. I am committed to hearing from the people who have put their faith in me, taking their issues to heart, and advocating for them. My experience as a Saanich councillor and with the Capital Regional District has also taught me a lot about how to get things done in a region governed by multiple bodies.