The federal NDP are already lining up their candidates with more than a year-and-a-half to go until the next election.
Today, March 4, the New Democrats announced Laura Dupont has launched her campaign after being nominated in Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam — a riding currently held by Liberal backbencher Ron McKinnon.
It’s not the first federal go-round for the former Port Coquitlam city councillor.
In the 2021 election, Dupont took third place with 14,982 votes (26.89 per cent) while McKinnon retained his seat with 21,454 votes (38.51 per cent) followed by Katerina Anastasiadis for the Conservatives at 16,907 votes (30.34 per cent).
Dupont, whose campaign at $41,253 cost less than half of McKinnon’s and Anastasiadis’, boosted the party by nearly four per cent in the riding.
For the 45th federal election that’s expected to take place on or before Oct. 20, 2025, Dupont said she wants to help constituents who are struggling to get by.
“They’re doing everything right but still must cut back on essentials to pay the bills,” she said in a news release.
“All the while, CEOs are making more money than ever before. It needs to change and New Democrats are delivering. The NDP got dental care for our kids, seniors and people living with disabilities, saving families thousands of dollars. And they just got a Pharmacare plan that will cover diabetes medication costs and contraceptives.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he’s pleased to have Dupont on his team.
"Laura is going to be a dedicated advocate for the people in her community," he said in the news release, adding, "While Justin Trudeau is out-of-touch and refuses to stand up to the corporate greed driving up costs, Pierre Poilievre is working for rich developers and corporate bosses."
"New Democrats, like Laura, are fighting for you."
The Conservatives and Green Party have yet to officially nominate their candidates.
Provincial election
Meanwhile, the roll-out of Tri-City candidates running in this October’s provincial election is slow.
To date, the following names have been made public for the region’s five new electoral districts:
- Stephen Frolek, Coquitlam–Burke Mountain
- Kerry van Aswagen, Port Moody–Burquitlam
- Keenan Adams, Port Coquitlam
The other two new districts are New Westminster–Coquitlam and Coquitlam–Maillardville. The vote is scheduled to happen on Oct. 19, 2024.
To find out what your provincial district you live in, you can visit Elections BC.
