Kamloops candidates hit campaign trail for one last day

May 8, 2017 | 9:00 AM

KAMLOOPS — It’s the final countdown for the provincial candidates.

Election day is tomorrow, May 9, a day the candidates in both Kamloops ridings have been preparing for for weeks. 

Anyone who didn’t take advantage of advance voting will cast their ballot tomorrow for the candidate they would like to see in a position of power. 

Today, candidates in both ridings were busy campaigning, each hoping their message would be the one that resonates with voters. 

“Regardless of which party you support, we need people to get out there and actually vote,” Kamloops-South Thompson Liberal candidate Todd Stone said. “In terms of our message, we have been out there on the doorstep, working very, very hard, taking nothing for granted.” 

“What I know, what I’m hearing on the doorsteps is that people are absolutely ready for change,” Kamloops-North Thompson NDP candidate Barb Nederpel said. “It’s incredibly important this election, we say that every election, but this one people are telling me is the most important election for them.”

It’s also an important election for the parties that hope to gain some ground. The Green Party and BC Communist Party both know they are going up against some giants, but remain hopeful heading into election day. 

“We want to be taken seriously,” Kamloops-South Thompson Communist Party candidate Beat Klossner said. “We need as many votes as possible, so next time around in four years, you have four main parties not just three. You’ll have an extra choice.” 

“We know we’ve had a very significant ground game,” Kamloops-North Thompson Green Party candidate Dan Hines said. “We’ve been to about 9,000-10,000 doors by the time we’re done. We’ve met a lot of people. I’ve had a lot of one-on-one conversations with people. Those don’t show up on the radar screen, they don’t reflect themselves in provincial polls. I think tomorrow night’s going to be a surprise for all of us, whatever the outcome.”