A Western Block Party candidate is running for election in Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, a first for the riding.
Clive Edwards, a Chilliwack River Valley resident and film industry professional, said he hopes to find fertile ground for his Western separatist views in this conservative riding.
The party was formed in 2005 by lawyer Doug Christie, and it’s aim is the separation, by referendum, of the four Western provinces from the rest of Canada.
“We seem to be in the midst of a police state in the budding,” said Edwards, whose view of Canadian justice was soured after working on the case of an Ontario man whose home was seized by the government after his arrest in 2004 for carrying an unregistered rifle on his back at a gun show.
“In the process, I found you can’t count on justice in Canada,” Edwards said. “Prisons are being filled with people that shouldn’t necessarily be there.”
Edwards said he started his political life as a member of the Reform Party, initially supporting MP Chuck Strahl, but became disenchanted as the MP morphed into a Conservative Party politician.
“He’s a nice man, but he has no influence on (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper,” Edwards said, about Strahl.
“Essentially, what we’re doing is voting for puppets,” he said.
In Edwards’ view the Canadian political and economic systems are “not fixable, not without de-Confederation.”
He said the four Western provinces need to unite, and to disconnect themselves from Ottawa and its reliance on the U.S. dollar and military establishment.
“The time is overdue to look at how everything about our country is done,” he said.
Edwards has served as president and director of the Chilliwack and District Fish and Game Protective Association, and is an active member of the National Firearms Association, which is opposed to the firearms registry.
Edwards lives in the Chilliwack River Valley with his wife, Sharon, and they have two daughters, one of whom works in the film industry, and another who has her own home-based business in Alberta.
Edwards was introduced as the party’s candidate in this riding by Doug Christie at a meeting held in the Royal Hotel in July, 2009.
Edwards will join others running for election at an all-candidates meeting scheduled for April 21 at the Coast Hotel in Chilliwack.
The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce is hosting the debate, which will be open to the public after 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required for the luncheon that starts at 11:30 a.m. RSVP to info@chilliwackchamber.com or by calling 604-793-4323.
