The 45th Canadian federal election is set to take place on or before Oct. 20, 2025, but the Sea to Sky campaign is already shaping up.
Former West Vancouver councillor Marcus Wong has declared his intention to run to be the Conservative Party of Canada representative in the riding of West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country.
Liberal MP Patrick Weiler is currently the region's MP.
He was victorious in the 2021 election, garnering 34 per cent of the vote.
The Conservative’s John Weston was second with 30 per cent and NDP’s Avi Lewis in third with 26 per cent of the votes.
Wong is running to become the representative for the Conservative Party and is not yet the candidate for the party.
He says he wants to be MP to make the “Canadian Dream” more attainable for young people.
“Growing up, my parents taught me the value of hard work, strong family ties, and living within my means. I watched as they worked tirelessly to build a better life in Canada so that I could have opportunities that they didn’t,” he said in a news release announcing his intention to run.
“I want to become your MP so that the Canadian Dream isn’t just a fantasy for this generation or the next.”
Wong added economy and affordability were the key concerns for residents of this riding.
“More red tape and government overspending won’t solve our problems, so on Day 1, I will fight to put your tax dollars back into your pocket,” he said.
Wong notes he served on the West Vancouver Police Board from 2012 to 2018.
He previously worked in marketing and communications, including for FortisBC/Terasen Gas.
“He worked for the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., helping to strengthen relationships with members of the International Olympic Committee, the World Olympians Association, Olympians Canada, and both houses of the United States Congress,” the release states.
He also oversaw government relations and federal/provincial lobbying for the B.C. dairy industry.
Wong has also been a communications advisor to several provincial cabinet ministers, including the Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Olympics.
He is currently studying part-time, remotely to earn his master’s degree at Harvard University.
“We need a true Conservative in Ottawa who actually grew up in and understands our community to bring this all home, so as your MP, I will push for a complete overhaul of Canada’s healthcare system so that all Canadians can get the help they need, when they need it. I will also seek real solutions to protect our environment — not the Carbon Tax — while making sure our economy and society continues to prosper,” Wong said in the release. “And I will support our men and women in uniform with the equipment they need to defend our country. It’s our moral obligation to those who have, and who are willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom.”
Wong currently serves on the board of St. John Ambulance (BC / Yukon Branch), the Salvation Army Greater Vancouver Advisory Board, and the Governance & HR Committee of the Canada Games Council.
For more information, go to www.marcuswong.ca.
**Please note that this story has been corrected since it was first posted to clarify that Wong is running to be the Conservative representative and is not yet the Conservative Party's Sea to Sky candidate.