Three candidates are in the running to become the next federal Liberal candidate for the Okanagan Coquihalla riding.
Former local candidate Ross Rebagliati earlier announced he was stepping down for personal reasons. On March 15, the Liberal membership will vote in the next Liberal candidate who will represent the riding.
John Kidder who lives and maintains 10 acres in Ashcroft, has been a member of the Liberal Party of Canada since 1980. He said he is opposed to many of the directions the government is taking.
“I see our government tending towards secrecy rather than openness, division rather than inclusion, authority rather than freedom, private interests rather than public. I see ideologically-based political tactics intended to ensure electoral success, rather than a strategy for sound government. I want to be a part of replacing this government with one that better reflects Canada and Canadians,” said Kidder.
Shan Lavell is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing and a masters in counselling psychology from the University of Victoria. She grew up in the Okanagan Valley and is passionate about creating the conditions for growth for families and business.
Lavell has particular interest in national policy in the areas of Aboriginal relations, affordable housing, early childhood development and child care and the ways we can create the conditions for growth for agricultural in Canada and communities in the Okanagan Coquihalla riding.
Gordon Wiebe has lived in the Okanagan for 11 years and has been a high school teacher in Saskatoon, Langley, Abbotsford and taught English in Hong Kong.
Seeking the Liberal nomination for Okanagan Coquihalla, Wiebe believes in a renewed and a stronger federalism, a balanced budget, a national policy on digital technologies and communication, and a national financial regulator which protects retirees, pensioners, investors, business and homeowners.
Wiebe calls for a stronger emphasis on interprovincial dialogue on issues of health care, greater emphasis on pluralism and dialogue with the First Nations, a national civilian service which is staffed by volunteer recruits, modeled after the American Vista program in the U.S., greater emphasis on the arts and multiculturalism and a more progressive immigration and emigration policy.