North Van NDP MLAs return as candidates in provincial election

In probably the least-surprising nominations for the next provincial election, the two sitting North Vancouver MLAs were officially nominated this past weekend as candidates for the NDP.

North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA and cabinet minister Bowinn Ma and North Vancouver Seymour MLA and parliamentary secretary for accessibility Susie Chant both received official nods from their party constituency associations to carry the NDP banner into the election, which will be held on or before Oct. 19.

For Ma, the election will be her third after winning provincially in both 2017 and 2020.

Ma, a professional engineer, currently serves as Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, a post she held during the busy summer wildfire season in 2023.

Ma also welcomed daughter Azalea in November of 2023, becoming the third B.C. cabinet minister to give birth while holding public office.

Ma pointed to accomplishments on the North Shore under the NDP including the rebuilding of Argyle, Handsworth and Mountainside secondaries, approval of a new Cloverley school and other school expansion projects, as well as expansions of Lions Gate Hospital, the opening of North Vancouver’s urgent and primary care centre and the building of new affordable housing units.

“There’s so much momentum,” she said. “We’ve got to keep that going.”

Ma said getting a rapid transit route for the North Shore on the planning map was also a big deal, although that’s yet to become reality on the ground.

She added there’s still work to be done, on both transportation and housing.

Ma said when she meets people on the doorstep, “housing and cost of living are top of mind. It’s a challenge we’re seeing across the province.”

She added since becoming a mother herself, “I think I have a much deeper appreciation for the depth of challenges that families face.”

During the last election, Ma won her seat with 60 per cent of the vote.

So far, BC United, the BC Conservatives and BC Green Party have not nominated candidates in the riding.

For Chant, this fall’s election will be her second provincial contest.

Chant, a registered nurse who notably kept working during the pandemic to help provide vaccinations, was first elected in 2020, defeating Liberal MLA Jane Thornthwaite with 46 per cent of the vote to Thornthwaite’s 35.

Chant, a longtime Lynn Valley resident, is also a retired member of the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves.

Challenging Chant in the election will be James Mitchell, who has been nominated to run for BC United in the riding.