The BC Libertarian Party will have a candidate on the ballot in Chilliwack for the upcoming provincial election.
Andrew Coombes, a tradesperson who worked on the construction of the Abbotsford hospital, is throwing his hat in the ring, running on a platform of government accountability.
“I felt now was the time to put my name forward, because I see so much waste in B.C. politics, such as with ICBC,” the 36 year old said. “I see governments actively picking winners and losers, and making policy that benefits their friends, such as union-only work agreements where 80 per cent of the construction workforce is non-union. It doesn’t seem fair.
“Currently, we are not able to hold politicians accountable for their lies and deceit. We need to make recalls binding.”
READ MORE: All your B.C. election coverage in one place
READ MORE: NDP promises carbon neutral province by 2050
Of particular relevance to voters in the Fraser Valley, Coombes also has his sights set on the Agricultural Land Reserve and what he calls “unfair and draconian rules regarding how you can use your own land.”
“Why is it that the government decides what can be done on private property?” he questioned. “Why are some greenhouses permitted on ALR land but not a farm-to-table restaurant? We should be encouraging entrepreneurship, not discouraging it.
“I look forward to spreading the message of liberty.”
Coombes faces an uphill battle to get votes, based on recent electoral history in the Chilliwack riding.
In 2017, BC Liberal Party candidate John Martin captured 48.42 per cent of the vote with the NDP’s Tracey Lorrean O’Hara netting 32.38 per cent.
The Green Party’s Wayne Froese earned 17.10 per cent while independent candidate Ryan McKinnon snared just 2.10 per cent.
@ProgressSportseric.welsh@theprogress.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation here.
