B.C. may have a Liberal premier in place, but meanwhile the leadership race continues with the official opposition.
The NDP has five candidates in its own leadership race: Adrian Dix, Mike Farnworth, John Horgan, Dana Larsen and Nicholas Simons. A vote to replace Carole James as NDP leader takes place April 17.
One of the candidates considered a frontrunner in the race, Farnworth, made an appearance in Vernon Wednesday in hopes of gaining some support on his campaign.
“I didn’t expect to be in a leadership race, I thought I’d be running with Carol,” admitted Farnworth to a crowd of less than 20 at The Pantry Restaurant.
But now that the Port Coquitlam MLA is in the running, he is ready to put the NDP back in power.
“I’m tired of losing elections,” said 51-year-old Farnworth, who admits that the NDP lost touch with the people at the time they lost power but he is ready to reconnect and listen.
“If we do that I’m convinced that we’ll become more than just an opposition party, we will become a governing party.”
Vernon residents were also keen to hear what the candidate has up his sleeve.
“I just want to see what his ideas are about leading the NDP and how does he think he can beat the Liberals,” said Lorne Adamson.
After listening to Farnworth slam the Liberals again and again, Howard Brown said: “What I want to see in a leader is someone with a vision for the province. I don’t want to hear anymore about what the Liberals aren’t doing.”
Specific topics residents were interested in ranged from healthcare and senior’s long-term care to agriculture and public schooling.
When it comes to agriculture, Farnworth is a long-time proponent of supporting and strengthening the Agricultural Land Commission (which he adds only has two enforcement officers for the entire province).
“It was land use that got me involved in running for council in 1983,” said Farnworth, who served three terms as councillor in Port Coquitlam.
He is keen to have the province put more support behind its resources, from promoting local apple farmers to ensuring the forest and mining industry are running strong and encouraging farm gate sales.
“It’s local agriculture produced for local people and that’s what we need to be encouraging.”
Support for B.C.’s own workers is also a priority.
“I want British Columbians working in British Columbia. I do not want to see another ferry built in Germany,” said Farnworth, who also supports a $10 minimum wage.
