The results are in and the West Coast’s leaders for the next four years have been announced.
On Oct. 20’s election day, talk around Tofino’s voting station at the municipal hall was dominated by the lack of affordable housing in the community.
READ MORE: Tofino voters cite housing as key election issue
In Ucluelet, voters leaving the Community Centre’s voting station expressed an appreciation for the number and calibre of candidates they had to choose from.
READ MORE: Ucluelet voters happy with choices on election day
Below is a full rundown of the results, winning candidates in bold. For all of the Westerly News’ stories on the municipal election, click here.
Tofino’s mayoral race
– Josie Osborne - 792 votes, 85.3%
– Omar Soliman - 52 votes, 5.6%
– Jarmo Venalainen - 69 votes, 7.4%
Tofino cast 929 votes in the 2018 municipal election, from 1,411 registered voters, which represents a significant leap in participation from 2014’s election where 519 votes were cast, from an estimated 1,493 eligible voters. Incumbent Josie Osborne faced challengers for the first time after running unopposed in a 2013 byelection and a 2014 general election.
READ MORE: Tofino mayor Josie Osborne re-elected
READ MORE: Tofino sees first challengers for mayor since 2011
READ MORE: Tofino’s candidates for mayor introduce themselves at forum
Ucluelet’s mayoral race
– Kevin Cortes - 84 votes, 10.6%
– Bill Irving - 142 votes, 17.8%
– Mayco Noel - 356 votes, 44.7%
– Randy Oliwa - 210 votes, 26.4%
Ucluelet cast 796 ballots out of an estimated 1,276 eligible voters in 2018. In 2014’s municipal election, 606 Ucluetian ballots were cast from 1,203 eligible voters. Incumbent Dianne St. Jacques did not run for re-election and her up-for-grabs-seat was fought over by municipal councillors Randy Oliwa and Mayco Noel, Ucluelet’s Harbour Master Kevin Cortes and the town’s former mayor Bill Irving.
READ MORE: Mayco Noel voted Ucluelet’s new mayor
READ MORE: Ucluelet’s mayoral candidates respond to concerns at forum
READ MORE: Ucluelet mayor will not run for re-election
Tofino council
Tofino had 12 candidates vying for its six council seats: All three incumbent councillors who ran were re-elected—Al Anderson, Dorothy Baert and Duncan McMaster—and they will be joined by newcomers to council: Tom Stere, Britt Chalmers and Andrea McQuade.
– Al Anderson - 482 votes
– Stephen Ashton - 219 votes
– Dorothy Baert - 377 votes
– Jason Brown - 85 votes
– Britt Chalmers - 608 votes
– Craig Heber - 85 votes
– Chris Heisterman - 326 votes
– Stephanie Hughes - 309 votes
– Eric Kingsley - 142 votes
– Duncan McMaster - 418 votes
– Andrea McQuade - 583 votes
– Tom Stere - 657 votes
READ MORE: Q&A with Tofino’s candidates for council
READ MORE: Tofino municipal candidates make their pitch at forum
Ucluelet council
Ucluelet had 10 candidates vying for its four council seats and the town voted for an all-female team: Rachelle Cole, Jennifer Hoar, Lara Kemps, Marilyn McEwen. McEwen was the only incumbent councillor in the race.
– Jeff Anderson - 156 votes
– Ted Bailey - 46 votes
– Rachelle Cole - 452 votes
– Jennifer Hoar - 330 votes
– Andy Horne - 209 votes
– Courtney Johnson - 232 votes
– Lara Kemps - 527 votes
– Marilyn McEwen - 403 votes
– Myles Morrison - 173 votes
– Jesse Wilts - 90 votes
READ MORE: Ucluelet election candidates speak out at chamber forum
READ MORE: VIDEO: Tofino mayor encourages women to run in B.C.’s 2018 election
READ MORE: Q&A with Ucluelet’s candidates for council
School District 70 West Coast Trustee
– Sandra Leslie - 825 votes
– Sally Mole - 732 votes
Incumbent Gurmail Aujla did not run for re-election.
READ MORE: School District 70 candidates hold court in Tofino
Electoral Area C (Long Beach) Director
Longtime incumbent Tony Bennett lost his seat to challenger Kel Roberts by just three votes.
– Tony Bennett - 78 votes
– Kel Roberts - 81 votes
READ MORE: Q&A with candidates for Electoral Area C and SD70