Kamloops candidate profiles: Communists Kerek, Klossner; Libertarian Bradshaw

Apr 28, 2017 | 5:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Communist Party is the second oldest political party in Canada, founded in 1921 at a time when Lenin was in power and a year before the old Soviet Union was formed. 

The candidates in Kamloops, Beat Klossner and Peter Kerek, want to reverse people’s perceptions of what the Communist party is.

Klossner is all about putting services back into the hands of government. The Communist candidate in Kamloops-South Thompson feels the province has become too privatized. 

“I’ve seen over the last few decades that what we have here are governments that are middle-men and enablers of corporate interests,” said Klossner. “Everything is for sale, everything is for profit, and I can’t accept that.”

Klossner, who’s a baker by trade, wants to do something about it, instead of just sitting back. 

“I’ve been involved in Europe, where I grew up in Switzerland. I’ve been involved in progressive left movements. Communist Party here about two years now,” he noted.

Klossner looked at joining the NDP or Green Party at one time, but didn’t like their platforms. 

The Communist candidate on the north side of the Thompson River, Peter Kerek, wants to eliminate homelessness and poverty completely. He’s proposing a minimum wage of $20 an hour.

“We still adhere to the fundamental principles of human rights, ensuring that Canadian governments uphold their obligation to the universal declaration of human rights, which Canada co-authored in 1948 and stills fails to provide adequate housing and employment,” said Kerek. 

The Libertarian Party has one candidate in the south. That’s Jessica Bradshaw, a care aid by trade who shares opposite views of the Communists, arguing for minimal government.

“The Libertarian Party is basically giving people back their rights, getting people back their freedom,” noted Bradshaw. “It’s about lessening the size of government, reducing our taxes, cutting back on the unnecessary programs.”

These fringe parties have limited campaign budgets, if any, and are realistic about their chances. They just want to see real change in B.C.

WATCH: Full report by Chad Klassen