Voters in Greater Victoria now officially know who will be on their ballots May 2. The deadline for registering as a candidate was Monday and the final list was released by Elections Canada Thursday.
The Conservatives, Liberals, NDP and Greens are represented in all three South Island ridings for the coming federal election. But only voters in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca will have additional choices as two two other candidates are vying for the seat left vacant by outgoing MP Keith Martin.
Christopher Porter represents the Canadian Action Party, while journeyman independent Louis James Lesosky will make his tenth attempt at elected office.
"The issues in this riding are exactly what our party's about – balancing business with environment and protecting our sovereignty for the best interest of all Canadians, not just a few," Porter said on his decision to run in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. Porter is the leader of the Canadian Action Party, which is fielding candidates in 12 of Canada’s 308 ridings.
Lesosky is no stranger to politics, having run intermittently in provincial and federal elections since 1980. He could not be reached for comment.
Also running for Martin's vacated seat are Troy DeSouza (Conservative), Lillian Szpak (Liberals), Randall Garrison (NDP) and Shaunna Salsman (Green).
kslavin@saanichnews.com
Riding breakdowns
ESQUIMALT-JUAN DE FUCA
Troy de Souza (Conservative)
Lillian Szpak (Liberal)
Randall Garrison (NDP)
Shaunna Salzman (Green)
Christopher Porter (Canadian Action Party)
Louis James Lesosky (Independent)
SAANICH-GULF ISLANDS
Gary Lunn (Conservative, incumbent)
Renee Hetherington (Liberal)
Edith Loring-Kuhanga (NDP)
Elizabeth May (Green, party leader)
VICTORIA
Patrick Hunt (Conservative)
Christopher Causton (Liberal)
Denise Savoie (NDP, incumbent)
Jared Giesbrecht (Green)