The need for a new voice for New Westminster has been a reoccurring theme during the 2013 provincial election campaign.
Six candidates have thrown their names into the race to represent New Westminster in the B.C. legislature: Terry Teather (B.C. Green Party); Paul Forseth (B.C. Conservatives); Judy Darcy (NDP); Lewis Dahlby (Libertarian); James Crosty (independent); and Hector Bremner (B.C. Liberals).
NDP MLA Dawn Black's decision to retire paved the way for a new representative for New Westminster, a riding that's been won by the NDP and its predecessor the Co-operative Commonwealth in every provincial election since 1952. The lone exception was a Liberal win in 2001 when the NDP was ousted and won only two seats provincewide.
Darcy has said she'd like to continue the "superb" work done by her NDP predecessor, which included "holding the government's feet to the fire to get better schools built" and pushing for a business plan for the redevelopment of Royal Columbian Hospital.
"We have had strong NDP representation in this province, whether in government or opposition," she said. "I think in order to make a difference and have change for the better in Victoria, on May 14 we want to continue that and have strong representatives. I'd be happy to follow in the footsteps of MLA Dawn Black."
Bremner, however, said "the broader voice of the electorate is not represented in New Westminster" and he'd like to do that in Victoria with the B.C. Liberals. He said New Westminster needs a strong voice that will put the city's interests first.
"I am going to be the best salesperson for this community," he said.
Joyce Murray, who has since moved to Vancouver and been elected as a Member of Parliament, was a Liberal cabinet minister after being elected in 2001.
Teather said one of the things that attracted him to the Green party was the fact it doesn't want a whip system, so candidates don't have to follow the party line when voting.
"We can voice our own opinion," he said. "We have no concern about that. We are like-minded but that does not negate the fact that we all have individual problems."
Forseth believes the B.C. Conservatives strike the right balance between party accountability and independent advocacy.
"We really need a voice for New Westminster. One of the reasons I am coming forward is I really have a heart for the city," said the former Member of Parliament. "I am the only candidate that is a product of New Westminster. I went to New Westminster schools, grew up here and really feel that I can be that special voice to put New Westminster back on the map."
As an independent, James Crosty believes he's in the best position to "really stick up for the interests of New Westminster" in Victoria. He said it's been 17 years since New Westminster resident had a chance to vote for an independent in a provincial election.
"With all due respect to the NDP candidate and the Liberal candidate, we have had 20 years of them in power," he said. "What do you see changed in New Westminster?"
Although New Westminster is generally strong NDP turf, Crosty hopes he'll be elected May 14.
"When you get in that booth, you are going to mark that X, remember they don't know who you are voting for," he said. "Let them wake up on Wednesday morning to a very big surprise - a elected independent, James Crosty."
Throughout the campaign, several topics repeatedly surfaced including coal exports, Pattullo Bridge replacement, education funding, need for new school construction, traffic and transit and the environment. Concerns have been raised about the economy and the party best able to manage B.C.'s finances.
Darcy said the B.C. Liberals owe it to taxpayers to be honest about the province's financial situation.
"The present plans projected by the Liberals add $13 billion to the debt in the next three years. That's billion with a B," she said. "This Liberal government has also run deficits for five years running and now says we have a balanced budget."
Darcy said the NDP has a modest spending platform and a goal of balancing the budget in three years.
"Very importantly, we are going to commit to what we are going to do and how we are going to pay for it, very carefully costed and fiscally responsible platform," she said. "There won't be any surprises like the HST."
Bremner cautioned voters from electing an NDP government, saying it took years for the province to recover from the NDP after it held government from 1991 to 2001.
"When we took power in 2001 we inherited a hell of a mess," he said. "In 2004, we were able to bring things back in line."
Bremner cautioned the voters from electing an NDP government.
"Make no mistake - this election is about the future. This is one of the most pivotal elections in B.C.'s history. I would argue the last election this important was in 2001," he said. "It is very important that we get this right. If we get this wrong now, we won't be able to fix it."
Teather the British Columbians understand that the province is in debt but don't know how much. He said the Liberals said one thing, but the auditor general later said the deficit was larger than the government had claimed.
Teather said the Green Party is no longer a one-issue party focused on the environment, but has policies that are scientifically supported.
"As you can see, we are not wearing bell bottoms. We don't have long hair and plaid shirts," he said. "We do know that addressing environmental issues requires putting them in the context of jobs and the economy."
Forseth urged voters to avoid voting for both the NDP and the Liberals.
"The disappointments of Liberalism in Canada are well-known. The social consequences of NDP thinking cannot be denied; any student of history knows what socialism brings," he said. "The NDP published beliefs have not changed; their philosophical outlook is well-known and should be avoided."
Libertarian candidate Lewis Dahlby said there's no reason to elect an independent candidate because voters won't know what they stand for or their philosophy, nor will they be able to accomplish much in Victoria. Admitting that he had a remote chance of winning the election, Dahlby said his election goal was to promote Liberty.
"We basically believe in a maximum of individual freedom and a minimum of government intervention in peoples' lives," he said. "Basically the philosophy is every person on the planet is entitled to live their life as they choose, with those choices, free from interference and coercion and violence form other people, including governments."
