Poll-by-poll results from last year's federal election reveal unique voting patterns in the four largest communities of the Courtenay-Alberni riding.
Gord Johns of the NDP won the riding that includes Parksville Qualicum Beach handily. He earned a total of 26,582 votes, 38.1 per cent of all votes cast. His closest competition came from Conservative John Duncan, who garnered 19,714 votes (28.2 per cent). Liberal Carrie Powell-Davidson was third with 15,212 votes (21.8 per cent).
If the riding would have consisted of Parksville and Qualicum Beach voters only, the result would have been much different.
Duncan earned 2,398 votes in the 25 polls within Qualicum Beach. Johns had only 1,467 votes in those polls.
In Parksville, Duncan received 2,927 votes in that city's 33 polls, while Johns had 2,468.
The combined Parksville/Qualicum Beach vote totals — Duncan 5,325, Johns 3,935.
In contrast were the results from the 36 polls within the City of Port Alberni, where Johns garnered 4,319 votes, Duncan 2,238.
In Courtenay's 53 polls, Johns had 5,471 votes, Duncan 4,055.
The combined Port Alberni/Courtenay vote totals — Johns 9,790, Duncan 6,293.
These numbers reflect results from polls that Elections Canada designated with the community name.
There is no way to tell how many people from outside those communities voted in those polls.
Johns was asked to respond to the poll-by-poll results.
“I promised to represent all of my constituents no matter where they live or how they voted and I’m proud of our strong presence across the riding with offices in Parksville, Port Alberni and Courtenay,” Johns told The NEWS via e-mail. “I will not take anyone for granted or write off any demographic or community.”
“I’m extremely proud of the level of support I received from the people of Courtenay-Alberni. It is the first time a New Democrat MP has been elected here in more than 25 years. It’s fantastic to see voter turnout increase to 77 per cent. That’s good news for democracy.”
Johns also took this opportunity to address electoral reform. “As we explore reforming our electoral system and hear directly from Canadians, my top priority will be making sure every vote counts so that all Canadians feel truly represented in Ottawa,” the MP wrote. “In September I will be holding multiple town hall meetings in various locations on electoral reform and I invite everyone to attend.”
• Johns also announced he will be hosting “Coffee with Gord” events in the next couple of weeks throughout the riding. On Monday, July 4 from 10-11:30 a.m., Johns will be at Mudsharks Coffee Bar on 4th Street in Courtenay; on Tuesday, July 5 from 10-11:30 a.m. he will be at Solda’s Restaurant on Beaver Creek Road in Port Alberni; and on Wednesday, July 6 he will host people at his constituency office from 10-11:30 a.m. at 1209 East Island Highway in Parksville.