Robin Mark Richardson (born June 26, 1942) is a former Canadian politician and Vancouver Islander separatist/activist who was a Progressive Conservative member of the House of Commons of Canada. He represented the riding of Beaches from 1979 to 1980. He is the founder and current leader of the Vancouver Island Party.

Robin Richardson
Leader of the Vancouver Island Party
In office
June 16, 2016 – November 15, 2019
Preceded byFirst leader
Succeeded byVacant
Member of Parliament
for Beaches
In office
1979–1980
Preceded byNew riding
Succeeded byNeil Young
Personal details
Born (1942-06-26) June 26, 1942 (age 82)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Political partyVancouver Islandian (provincial)
Conservative (federal)
Other political
affiliations
Alliance (2000-2003)
Progressive Conservative (until 2000)
ProfessionEconomist, cleric

Background

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Richardson's profession is an economist, once working with the Fraser Institute.[1] At one time, he was a minister for a Christian church in Esquimalt.[2]

Politics

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Richardson represented Ontario's Beaches electoral district which he won in the 1979 federal election.[3] After serving his only term, the 31st Canadian Parliament, he was defeated in the 1980 federal election by Neil Young of the New Democratic Party.[4]

In September 2000, he unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca Member of Parliament Keith Martin for the Canadian Alliance nomination in that riding. Richardson was particularly critical of Martin's pro-choice position on abortion, while Martin had finished in fourth place during the Canadian Alliance leadership campaign earlier that year.[2] Richardson managed Stockwell Day's successful leadership campaign within Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca.[5]

In June 2016, he started the Vancouver Island Party and serves as leader. The party seeks to make Vancouver Island Canada's 11th province.[6]

Electoral record

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1979 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Conservative Robin Richardson 12,840 34.5
New Democratic Neil Young 12,322 33.1
Liberal Brian Fullerton 11,232 30.2
Libertarian David Anderson 388 1.0
Independent Donald A. Daley 129 0.3
Rhinoceros Judi Skuce 111 0.3
Marxist–Leninist Jim McKibbin 91 0.2
Independent Jim McMillan 69 0.2
Turnout 37,182 100.0
Parliament of Canada:[7]
1980 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes %
New Democratic Neil Young 12,675 35.6
Liberal Terry O'Reilly 11,179 31.4
Progressive Conservative Robin Richardson 11,179 31.4
Libertarian Dennis Corrigan 272 0.8
Rhinoceros David Reid 214 0.6
Marxist–Leninist Jim McKibbin 60 0.2
Independent Vince Corriero 45 0.1
Turnout 35,624 100.0
Parliament of Canada:[7]
British Columbia provincial by-election, January 30, 2019: Nanaimo
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Sheila Malcolmson 12,114 49.92 +3.38 $50,194
Liberal Tony Harris 9,691 39.93 +7.39 $57,212
Green Michele Ney 1,783 7.35 −12.56 $41,039
Conservative Justin Greenwood 491 2.02 $1,432
Vancouver Island Party Robin Mark Richardson 112 0.46 $4,208
Libertarian Bill Walker 76 0.32 −0.69 $246
Total valid votes 24,267 100.00
Total rejected ballots 33 0.14 −0.36
Turnout 24,300 52.59 −8.68
Registered voters 46,210
New Democratic hold Swing −2.01
Source: Elections BC[8]

References

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  1. ^ Leyne, Les (September 9, 2000). "Richardson facing tough battle against Martin". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. A18. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Harnett, Cindy E. (September 17, 2000). "Martin trounces Richardson". and "Martin: Feels energized". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. pp. D1–D2. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Counting the votes: The Liberals watch from their Quebec fortress...as Conservatives sweep most of the West". The Globe and Mail. May 24, 1979. pp. 10–11.
  4. ^ "Federal general election results listed riding-by-riding". The Ottawa Citizen. February 19, 1987. pp. 29–30.
  5. ^ McNulty, Jim (August 27, 2000). "Sure win for Day masks cracks in Alliance". The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia. p. A28. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Home". vanisleparty.com.
  7. ^ a b "History of Federal Ridings since 1867:Beaches, Ontario (1976-1987)". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  8. ^ "2019 Nanaimo By-election Final Voting Results by Voting Area" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
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