Editor:
Both the federal Liberal and the NDP parties were asleep at the switch in the Cariboo-Prince George riding when the Harper government fell on March 24.
Neither party had nominated a candidate when the election was called on March 26, and only after the fact did they reach into their bag of tricks and come up with candidates to represent them against long-time incumbent Dick Harris of the Conservatives.
Oh hum, let them slumber, I say.
On the other hand, why not make it interesting.
When the election was called, two candidates were ready. Dick Harris, of course, as the sitting MP, and Heidi Redl of the Green party.
Why not keep the Cariboo-Prince George a two-horse race for this election at least, and see what happens. Maybe we could make history and elect the first Green party member to parliament.
Call it a grassroots coalition. Something the major parties can’t seem to do in Ottawa.
I shared this idea with a few of my NDP friends and got a surprisingly warm response. Heidi Redl likes the idea too.
I think it’s time to give Dick Harris and the Conservatives a run for their money.
Having the federal Liberals and the NDP hoist up their last minute lame-duck candidates for us to consider is laughable at best, and hardly makes it worth getting out to the polls.
But a two-horse race, a made-in-the-Cariboo-Prince George coalition; now that becomes interesting.
I’d put money on that.
Sage Birchwater
Williams Lake
