Image Credit: 338canada.com

KELOWNA - A quick look at the 338Canada interactive map, that was updated  Oct. 2, shows that the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding’s MP will likely be re-elected on Oct. 21.

The map shows Conservative incumbent Dan Albas leading handily with 43.3 per cent of the vote versus only 27.1 per cent for Liberal challenger Mary Ann Murphy.

In 2015, Albas barely won the riding with 39.6 per cent of the vote versus 37.2 per cent for the Liberals.

The current map shows the Greens surging ahead of the NDP with 13.2 per cent of the vote versus 12.6 per cent. The People’s Party and Libertarian candidates are not listed. That’s a gain of about 10 per cent for the Greens since 2015 while the NDP have dropped by seven per cent.

The 338Canada project is a statistical model of electoral projections based on opinion polls, electoral history of Canadian provinces and demographic data.

Throughout the 338 federal electoral districts, city centres are mostly leaning Liberal red (and NDP orange), while rural districts generally tend to lean Conservative blue.

Given that there’s still time to decide who to vote for, we want to offer you a bit more insight into what these candidates have to offer.

So much of what we learn about candidates is from the highlight reel of accomplishments.

We took it from a different perspective and asked them to: Give one example of a hardship you faced in your life and how you overcame it.

Dan Albas, Conservative

One of the challenges I experienced early in my life was a serious accident where I was extensively burned.

Being a burn victim survivor has made me appreciate the gift of life and the challenges that many with disabilities face.

While I was fortunate to make a full recovery, many will face struggles throughout their lifetime. I am eternally thankful to my family, the Shriners, and all of the doctors and nurses involved. This is why I recently created a private member Bill (C-410) to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act to protect Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP) from seizure by creditors in the case of bankruptcy or insolvency. People who are vulnerable can contribute if they receive support and this is one case where protections were lacking.


Robert Mellalieu, Green

Hardship? None. I am a white male living in Canada. I have health care, clean drinking water, supportive family, prosperous business, democracy, freedoms. I have nothing to complain about.  Statistically, my life is in the top 0.0001% of all humans on this earth.

This realization is the reason I want to be a politician. I realize the gift I have received by virtue of being born on this dirt. I feel a responsibility to ensure that all Canadians can have the same benefits and supports I was lucky to have.

Mary Ann Murphy, Liberal

As a child, I was diagnosed with a medical condition which caused me to live away from my family at a children’s hospital, for almost two years. What I learned was to prize my health, appreciate the incredible caregiving provided by loving parents and hospital volunteers, recognize and have compassion for vulnerability in others, and realize that I am a born optimist, never giving up hope that I would walk again.

Joan Phillip, NDP

Well, Stewart (Phillip) and I haven't always been sober. When we met, we were both drinking, Stewart hit bottom one day after crashing our family vehicle. With three young mouths to feed, it was a struggle getting around without the car. He made a decision to get help, he went into a treatment program and has now been sober for 32 years. Myself, it is 30 years this month and I can tell you, life is so much better looking at it from this angle.

The thing is, people need to have access to these services when they're ready to make the change.  That is one thing that I hope to be able to do if I'm elected. The people who have been hurt the most are the ones who need the most help. All levels of government need to work together to address addiction, mental health and homelessness.

Allan Duncan of the People’s Party and Jesse Regier of the Libertarian Party did not respond. Brynn Jones of the Marijuana Party withdrew.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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