Maurine Karagianis is a mother and grandmother with a long and proud record of public service. She has lived in Esquimalt for more than 25 years, and was elected three times as a councillor, serving from 1996 to 2005.

Deeply committed to environmental stewardship, she worked while on council to save the Garry Oak meadow on the Matson Lands in the Inner Harbour. Her strong support for daylighting Gorge Creek helped enrich green space and renew bird habitat in Esquimalt. She helped create and then chaired the Capital Region District Arts Committee.

Maurine made the jump to provincial politics in 2005 when she was chosen by the voters of Esquimalt-Metchosin as their MLA. Four years later, in 2009, she was re-elected to the reconfigured constituency of Esquimalt-Royal Roads.

 During her time as an Opposition MLA , Maurine has stood up to hold the government to account for its policies and priorities. She has served in critic roles with responsibility for the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, BC Ferries, and the Liquor Distribution Branch.

As a community leader and a trusted voice in her local community, Maurine has worked with families from all walks of life to help them with the challenges they face. Whether it’s affordable housing, public transit, seniors’ care, support services for military families or public education, Maurine has stood up for our community. 

Maurine has years of experience as a small businessperson in the fashion industry, in tourism marketing and publishing, and working building affordable housing. Committed to sustainability, she has given profile to innovative transportation initiatives and green fuel alternatives. When she needs to drive, she often uses her electric scooter to get around town.