Article content

The political spotlight is again shining on the Nanaimo area, with the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection set for May 6.

This byelection is needed because Sheila Malcolmson, former federal NDP member for the riding, left the post to challenge in the Jan. 30, 2019, provincial Nanaimo election which she won with 50 per cent of the vote.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Four things to know about the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection Back to video

Malcolmson’s win was crucial to continuing the B.C. NDP/Greens power sharing alliance.

Here are some things to know about the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection:

Why it matters

This byelection can be seen as a precursor to the split on the right that may occur in the general election this October. The split goes back to the formation of the modern Conservative Party of Canada from the merger of the Progressive Conservatives and the Alberta-based Canadian Alliance. Progressive Conservatives unhappy with the move formed the Progressive Canadian Party. Then in January of this year, the People’s Party of Canada was formed when the failed leadership candidate for the Conservatives — Maxime Bernier — left the Conservatives to form this upstart.