Federal election campaign officially begins for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo candidates

“Mostly, I’m going to be focused on our message for the riding. And our message is going to be, it’s time for you to get ahead,” she says. “It’s recognizing that people are challenged by the affordability issues, and the other areas I think that are critically important is getting this Trans Mountain pipeline built — I’m 100 per cent behind it — and also, the current government has completely neglected the issue of the forestry crisis.”

McLeod says she’s excited to run again and hopes to return to Ottawa for another term.

“I’m very proud of the work I’ve done in this riding. We’ve had important projects in at almost half-a-billion dollars over the last number of years. Whether it’s twinning the Trans Canada Highway, thousands and thousands of constituents that have been served, and I’m proud of the leadership role I played in Ottawa on a number of important files.”

Another familiar face this year on the campaign trail is former Kamloops mayor and BC health minister Terry Lake. Lake has put his support behind the current Liberal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I think people will really decide, are we on the right track or are we on the wrong track? And with the lowest unemployment rate in 40 years with 1 million new jobs created, and 800,000 people lifted out of poverty because of the child benefit — I think people feel that we’re moving in the right direction and they want to continue to do that.”

Also vying for a spot in Ottawa is Green Party Candidate, Iain Currie, who says the climate crisis will likely bring a larger Green presence to the Kamloops election.

“Locally, I’m really excited to provide an opportunity for people to actually vote for something they want. Like not just to vote against something they don’t want, not to vote out of fear, but to actually vote for what they want, and to vote for their values.”

Currie says he’s been pleasantly surprised with the amount of engagement the campaign has gathered compared to previous years.

“I’m running to win. And volunteers are pounding the pavement… because we have large contingent of people in Kamloops who have heard the Green message.”

A number of smaller parties will be on this year’s ballot — including Ken Finalyson — who is backing Maxime Bernier’s newly-formed People’s Party of Canada.

“As a federal politician, you know, we don’t really focus on potholes and the road in from of your house, but the lumber industry, the foresty industry of B.C — I’ve been going door to door and it’s an unmitigated disaster starting to snowball, and that’s a huge, huge driver of our economy.”

Meantime, Kira Cheeseborough has put her name forward as a candidate for the Animal Protection Party of Canada, whose platform is based around animal rights, and environmentally sustainable practices.

“I think it’s very important for young people to be getting involved, and I want to at least lead by example that if there is something, especially with climate breakdown, because people my age are the ones that are going to have to be dealing with it the most.”

And to cap off the current candidate list, Peter Kerek has returned to represent the Communist Party of Canada within the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.

“I’ve already been out talking with folks at the transit exchange and such places. We’ll be having more public events, and the leader of our party (Elizabeth Rowley), is going to be in Kamloops on September 28, so we’re going to be having one or two events for her when she arrives.” he says. “Reaching people and being responsive to folks who are contacting us via social media and other means will take a priority over door-knocking. I prefer not to go on to people’s private property and invade their space.”

As of today (Sept. 11), the NDP does not have a representative for the riding, after the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo candidate Dock Currie was asked to step down. However, BC Chair of the NDP Federal Campaign, Glen Sanford says there are other options.

Meanwhile, TRU Associate Professor of Political Science Robert Hanlon notes that this year’s election is somewhat neck and neck between the Liberals and Conservatives, with two well-known candidates running locally.

“But also the NDP, when we know who the candidate is, you know, the idea that they will be able to convince the voter that they’re a viable third option. You know, the Green party, and the other minority parties will be looking to get some votes, but it’s really about messaging on the local level.”

Candidates now have 40 days left to get out and speak with voters ahead of the October 21 federal election.

by Dylana Milobar

Federal election campaign officially begins for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo candidates

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