The Delta South Green Party riding association has confirmed Tsawwassen resident Peter van der Velden, is the Green Party candidate for the 2020 provincial election.
Many might know van der Velden through his frequent letters to the editor in the Optimist. He said his articulate and clear analyses on a wide range of local issues provide an open book for his positions in favour of fairness and transparency in government, sustainable development, protection of farmland and a shift away from relying on fossil fuels.
“I am honoured to have this opportunity to serve South Delta,” he said. “A really interesting race is shaping up because so many voters are tired of combative politics and ready for the Green message of caring, collaborating and cooperating. Because the other major parties have stricter rules about MLA’s voting along party lines rather than with their conscience, the closest you can get to an independent voice for Delta is voting Green.”
van der Velden was born in Holland and moved with his family to Saskatoon in 1963 where he developed a love of the Prairies. He remembers the strong sense of community. While living in the Kootenays, he served as a municipal councillor and as a director for several volunteer organizations. Ten years ago, he and his wife, Patty, moved to Tsawwassen to be close to his parents and care for them in their later years.
His career was in the construction industry including management of complex projects and oversight of multimillion dollar budgets. He said he is particularly proud of his environmental work remediating contaminated highway yards in the East Kootenays. He was also instrumental in creating a home inspector association in .B.C when this was a fledgling industry.
“Only the Greens have serious plans to address our crises in seniors’ care, housing, public health and the transition to renewable energy in a way that works for everyone,” he said. “I want to ensure a positive future for my granddaughters.”
