National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In the past two federal elections, Vancouver Island has been a stronghold for the NDP, and one campaign observer predicts it will largely stay that way after Sept. 20.

But there are some chinks in the orange armour on the island given the strength of voter concern about the climate crisis and Erin O’Toole bumping up the popularity of the Conservatives, the NDP’s historical nemesis in the region.

There’s no doubt the recent Green Party infighting offers the NDP some advantage this election with climate-concerned voters, said Mark Williams, chair of political studies at Vancouver Island University.