Compare candidates

Ladysmith-Oceanside · British Columbia

3 candidates for 1 seat

Results not available

Everyone is compared on the same 12 issues, in the same order. Candidates are listed alphabetically, and the order of issues is not a ranking. Each candidate's bio appears at the top, above the issues. How this works.

Candidate positions for Ladysmith-Oceanside, by issue
Issue	Charlene SmylieBC Green Party No website or social media listed	Kris McNicholConservative Party No website or social media listed	Stephanie HigginsonBC NDP No website or social media listed
Bio	Charlene 'Char' Smylie is a former mayor and municipal councillor in Wabamun, Alberta, and a small-business owner who co-founded Redstone Electrical Services. The Green candidate in Ladysmith-Oceanside, she has advocated for just transition policies for communities navigating major economic shifts.	No bio on record. Know something?	Stephanie Higginson is the incumbent NDP MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside. Twice elected to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Board of Education and a past president of the BC School Trustees' Association, she lives with her family on a small farm in Cedar.
HealthcareWill there be a doctor, a hospital, and care when we need it?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Committed to repealing and replacing the HPOA to keep professional oversight free of political interference. PRE-WINDOW: response dated 2026-10-11 on the tracker; verified absent from all BC baseline files, all prior run JSONs, and all prior imports — never extracted before. Asked by the HPOA candidate questionnaire (Psychologists of BC for Ethical Care and Governance): "Will you commit to repealing the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and replacing it with legislation, built with the professions and the public, that keeps politics out of health care?" Committed to repealing and replacing the Health Professions and Occupations Act Says professional oversight should stay independent and free from political interference Show their words & sourceHide (one sentence) “Yes. We support repealing the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and working with the professions to keep their oversight independent and free from political interference.” Source: HPOA and the 2026 BC Election \| Psychologists of BC for Ethical Care and Governance · October 11, 2026 Confidence:High	Supports a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre for Parksville to connect people with care sooner and ease pressure on emergency rooms. Said in a BC NDP release that a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area would give residents another place to turn for same-day care Says over 2,000 people in Oceanside have been attached to a family doctor or nurse practitioner in two years Says the centre would support the work of attaching everyone in the community to a primary care practitioner Show their words & sourceHide (reported remarks) ““A new Urgent and Primary Care Centre would give people another place to turn when they need medical attention, helping connect them with care sooner and easing pressure on emergency departments,” Ladysmith-Oceanside NDP candidate Stephanie Higginson said in a release. “We have made great progress in Oceanside, attaching over 2,000 people in two years to a family doctor or nurse practitioner,” Higginson added. “This UPCC will ensure our residents have access to care while we continue the critical work to attach everyone to a primary care practitioner.”” Source: BC NDP promises Parksville Urgent & Primary Care Clinic · October 19, 2026 Confidence:High
HousingWill I be able to afford to live here?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
Cost of livingCan I afford groceries, hydro and insurance?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
Economy & jobsWill BC's economy create good jobs where I live?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
EducationWill my kids' schools be properly funded?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
Environment & climateIs the province protecting forests, water and climate?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Says reliable water storage is essential; would advocate for provincial cost-sharing on Parksville's dam planning. Says reliable water storage is essential for growing communities Would advocate for provincial involvement and cost-sharing on Parksville's dam planning Says funding decisions must be based on need, sound engineering and responsible use of tax dollars Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs) “Reliable water storage is essential for our growing communities, and I recognize the need to plan responsibly for future demand. If elected, I would advocate for appropriate provincial involvement, including consideration of potential cost-sharing opportunities. Any funding or infrastructure decisions must be based on demonstrated need, sound engineering, environmental considerations, and responsible use of taxpayers' dollars.” Source: Parksville Water Pledge: Ask the Province to Pay Its Share \| Joel Grenz for Mayor · October 13, 2026 Confidence:High	Says she has a proven track record advocating for water issues and working with local governments and First Nations. Says she has a proven track record advocating for water issues in the riding Has worked collaboratively with local governments and First Nations Wants to find the best solution for Parksville's dam with all levels of government Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs) “I have a proven track record advocating for water related issues for the riding, most recently supporting the RDN in a meeting with Minister Neill with a request for support creating coordination among the many water boards that exist in the RDN. I have always worked collaboratively with local governments and First Nations.” Source: Parksville Water Pledge: Ask the Province to Pay Its Share \| Joel Grenz for Mayor · October 13, 2026 Confidence:High
Public safetyWill repeat offenders stay off my street?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
TransportationWill the highways, ferries and transit keep up?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
Mental health & addictionsHow will the province handle the toxic-drug crisis?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
Seniors & long-term careCan seniors age with dignity in BC?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
Indigenous relationsHow will the province work with Indigenous peoples?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?
Government & taxesIs the province spending my money wisely?	Says a better future is possible if we put people before politics. Says a better future is possible if people are put before politics Believes good government should put people before politics and make evidence-based decisions Show their words & sourceHide (one sentence) “I know a better future is possible if we put people before politics and build communities where everyone can live authentically and with dignity.” Source: Charlene Smylie - Ladysmith-Oceanside - BC Green Party Confidence:High	Not reviewed yet. Know something?	Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bio

Charlene Smylie

Charlene 'Char' Smylie is a former mayor and municipal councillor in Wabamun, Alberta, and a small-business owner who co-founded Redstone Electrical Services. The Green candidate in Ladysmith-Oceanside, she has advocated for just transition policies for communities navigating major economic shifts.

Kris McNichol

No bio on record. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson

Stephanie Higginson is the incumbent NDP MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside. Twice elected to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Board of Education and a past president of the BC School Trustees' Association, she lives with her family on a small farm in Cedar.

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor, a hospital, and care when we need it?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Committed to repealing and replacing the HPOA to keep professional oversight free of political interference.

PRE-WINDOW: response dated 2026-10-11 on the tracker; verified absent from all BC baseline files, all prior run JSONs, and all prior imports — never extracted before.
Asked by the HPOA candidate questionnaire (Psychologists of BC for Ethical Care and Governance): "Will you commit to repealing the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and replacing it with legislation, built with the professions and the public, that keeps politics out of health care?"
Committed to repealing and replacing the Health Professions and Occupations Act
Says professional oversight should stay independent and free from political interference

Show their words & source (one sentence)

“Yes. We support repealing the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and working with the professions to keep their oversight independent and free from political interference.”

Source: HPOA and the 2026 BC Election | Psychologists of BC for Ethical Care and Governance · October 11, 2026

Confidence:High

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Supports a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre for Parksville to connect people with care sooner and ease pressure on emergency rooms.

Said in a BC NDP release that a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area would give residents another place to turn for same-day care
Says over 2,000 people in Oceanside have been attached to a family doctor or nurse practitioner in two years
Says the centre would support the work of attaching everyone in the community to a primary care practitioner

Show their words & source (reported remarks)

““A new Urgent and Primary Care Centre would give people another place to turn when they need medical attention, helping connect them with care sooner and easing pressure on emergency departments,” Ladysmith-Oceanside NDP candidate Stephanie Higginson said in a release. “We have made great progress in Oceanside, attaching over 2,000 people in two years to a family doctor or nurse practitioner,” Higginson added. “This UPCC will ensure our residents have access to care while we continue the critical work to attach everyone to a primary care practitioner.””

Source: BC NDP promises Parksville Urgent & Primary Care Clinic · October 19, 2026

Confidence:High

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Cost of living

Can I afford groceries, hydro and insurance?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Economy & jobs

Will BC's economy create good jobs where I live?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Education

Will my kids' schools be properly funded?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Environment & climate

Is the province protecting forests, water and climate?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Says reliable water storage is essential; would advocate for provincial cost-sharing on Parksville's dam planning.

Says reliable water storage is essential for growing communities
Would advocate for provincial involvement and cost-sharing on Parksville's dam planning
Says funding decisions must be based on need, sound engineering and responsible use of tax dollars

Show their words & source (several paragraphs)

“Reliable water storage is essential for our growing communities, and I recognize the need to plan responsibly for future demand. If elected, I would advocate for appropriate provincial involvement, including consideration of potential cost-sharing opportunities. Any funding or infrastructure decisions must be based on demonstrated need, sound engineering, environmental considerations, and responsible use of taxpayers' dollars.”

Source: Parksville Water Pledge: Ask the Province to Pay Its Share | Joel Grenz for Mayor · October 13, 2026

Confidence:High

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Says she has a proven track record advocating for water issues and working with local governments and First Nations.

Says she has a proven track record advocating for water issues in the riding
Has worked collaboratively with local governments and First Nations
Wants to find the best solution for Parksville's dam with all levels of government

Show their words & source (several paragraphs)

“I have a proven track record advocating for water related issues for the riding, most recently supporting the RDN in a meeting with Minister Neill with a request for support creating coordination among the many water boards that exist in the RDN. I have always worked collaboratively with local governments and First Nations.”

Source: Parksville Water Pledge: Ask the Province to Pay Its Share | Joel Grenz for Mayor · October 13, 2026

Confidence:High

Public safety

Will repeat offenders stay off my street?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Transportation

Will the highways, ferries and transit keep up?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Mental health & addictions

How will the province handle the toxic-drug crisis?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Seniors & long-term care

Can seniors age with dignity in BC?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Indigenous relations

How will the province work with Indigenous peoples?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Government & taxes

Is the province spending my money wisely?

Charlene Smylie BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Says a better future is possible if we put people before politics.

Says a better future is possible if people are put before politics
Believes good government should put people before politics and make evidence-based decisions

Show their words & source (one sentence)

“I know a better future is possible if we put people before politics and build communities where everyone can live authentically and with dignity.”

Source: Charlene Smylie - Ladysmith-Oceanside - BC Green Party

Confidence:High

Kris McNichol Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Stephanie Higginson BC NDP

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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