The four candidates now hitting the provincial election campaign trail in Delta South are hoping to show they’ve got what it takes to be the riding’s next MLA.
Ian Paton has been door knocking since winning the Liberal nomination last September, well ahead of his opponents who announced their candidacies over the past few weeks.
Riding association president Kelly Guichon said the constituency membership grew substantially during the nomination process and continues to grow, indicating heightened interest in this election and a desire to win back the riding.
“One of the things Ian has talked about is that we’re going to have a lot more success being at the table as opposed to not being invited to the table. I’m not saying Vicki (Huntington) didn’t do a good job but it’s more about how do we move forward and be invited to the table for a lot of those discussions,” Guichon said.
Paton promised he’s prepared to speak out on issues that are important to him, including agriculture and proper mitigation for the proposed Terminal 2, even if it means being critical of his own government. He said the feedback he’s received has been positive.
“At first it wasn't my favourite thing, knocking on people's doors, but most have been very supportive and positive and think I've done a pretty good job on Delta council, so they think this is a good next move for me," he recently told the Optimist.
Leaving nothing to chance, Premier Christy Clark paid a visit to the riding last fall, saying Paton and Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton would make a great combination representing Delta. In recent weeks, several key cabinet ministers, including Transportation Minister Todd Stone, have also come to South Delta to support Paton.
Stone was also on hand at last week’s government announcement of the start of construction of the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, an event disrupted by vocal protestors, where he took the time to acknowledge Paton, a die-hard supporter of the project.
Huntington, the now retired two-term independent MLA, has endorsed Wong, asking voters to take another chance on an independent as they did with her back in 2009.
Wong doubts Paton, or anyone else connected to a traditional party, can truly speak out against their party, even when something would negatively impact their riding. He said South Deltans have come to expect a different style of representation and that can only come through a truly independent voice.
Wong has come out in opposition to the new bridge, saying the Liberal government is pushing the project through despite better alternatives.
“For a government that prides itself on its business acumen, the public has not been presented enough information on alternative options to make an informed decision. The lack of citations in the project’s ‘fact sheets’ means citizens are forced to take a very untrustworthy government at its word,” he said.
NDP candidate Bruce Reid said his campaign would have a "people matter" theme because the Liberals have shown a disregard for many members of the public.
"The focus I'm putting on is that we need a government concerned about people and that people become a priority, whether it's health care underfunding, education, the fact that we have the highest child poverty rate in Canada, or mental health issues that have not been addressed or funded.”
Reid also said the plan to replace the George Massey Tunnel with a 10-lane bridge needs to be examined more closely.
Green candidate Larry Colero said MLAs are expected to vote as a block to satisfy campaign donors instead of their constituents, like approving unnecessary, reckless megaprojects. However, a founding principle shared by Green parties worldwide guarantees him the right to vote with his conscience and always in the best interests of his constituents.
“His expertise on ethics is much-needed in the B.C. legislature and could not come at a better time,” Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver said of Colero.
