VICTORIA — The date of Jan. 30th has been set for a byelection to replace the member from Nanaimo, B.C., with the potential to upset the balance of power in the provincial legislature.
Five-term New Democrat MLA Leonard Krog resigned in November after he was elected mayor of Nanaimo.
The results of the byelection are key because Krog's resignation gives the New Democrats just 40 seats in the house, while the Liberals have 42 and there is one Independent.
The NDP has been governing with the support of the three Green party members in the legislature.
Premier John Horgan has said the byelection would be called before his government presents its budget in February.
NDP member of Parliament Sheila Malcolmson will represent the New Democrats, while retired teacher Michele Ney is running for the Greens, and local businessman Tony Harris has the Liberal nomination.
TONY HARRIS STATEMENT ON THE NANAIMO BY-ELECTION CALL FOR JANUARY 30, 2019
Nanaimo – With the provincial by-election in Nanaimo set for January 30th, BC Liberal candidate Tony Harris issued the following statement:
“Nanaimo is a very special place to me. It’s where I was born and raised, where my wife Leslie and I are raising our children, and where I’ve worked hard to build something to pass on to them. I’m proud of the fact that I’m a sixth generation Nanaimoite, my kids are seventh generation, and my family has been here since we were a coal town in the 1800s.
We are an incredibly diverse city, our people are warm and inviting, we have a solid economic foundation, and an incredible outdoor playground at our doorstep. Yet Nanaimo could be so much more. Nanaimo has never realized its full potential and that is because we have been taken for granted for too long. It’s time for Nanaimo to get the attention and investment it deserves.
While the NDP has been busy maneuvering inside the party to ensure their candidate from federal politics can run for the provincial seat in Nanaimo, I’ve been out talking to Nanaimoites about their concerns and ideas that matter to the people of Nanaimo - issues such as the need for new investments in health care, improved transit and transportation options, ways to collaboratively address our homelessness challenges and ensuring Victoria isn’t over-burdening Nanaimo with unfair taxes.
Over the coming weeks I intend to continue discussing the issues that matter most to our city and believe the hard-working families of Nanaimo will notice the games the NDP are playing.
I’m confident that Hub City voters are ready for a new voice in Victoria - a local, homegrown voice that’s focused on big, bold ideas and motivated by one thing, and one thing only - to help make our city even better place for all of us to live, work and play.
As voters in Nanaimo, you have a tremendous opportunity right here in front of you to change what happens in Victoria for the better with a different choice this by-election. I want to assure everyone in Nanaimo that I will be an MLA for each and every one of you, and I’m asking for your support.”