There’s a new face in the race for member of Parliament to represent the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding.
New to the list of local hopefuls this week is Robin Kehler, manager of the Weeds Glass and Gifts store in Sechelt, who’s running for the Marijuana Party.
Contacted Wednesday, Kehler said he was too busy with month-end at the store to talk with Coast Reporter at that time, but his official agent, Marc Boyer, said Kehler decided to run “because he wants to legalize marijuana, because it’s important.”
Boyer noted the Marijuana Party has one sole issue on its platform: legalizing marijuana in Canada. “We are a one-issue party. We are very proud of that,” Boyer said.
He added that Kehler planned to attend upcoming all-candidates meetings on the Sunshine Coast to help get his message out.
Also confirmed as candidates in the Sunshine Coast riding for the upcoming federal election are incumbent MP John Weston of the Conservative Party, Ken Melamed of the Green Party, Pam Goldsmith-Jones of the Liberal Party, Larry Koopman of the New Democratic Party and Carol-Lee Chapman of the Marxist-Leninist Party.
Three all-candidates meetings and one all-candidates luncheon have been planned for the Coast. Look for details in next week’s paper of the Oct. 1 meeting dedicated to affordable housing, homelessness, supportive housing, poverty and access to social services.
This Friday, Oct. 2, there is an all-candidates meeting scheduled at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall (behind the Sechelt McDonald’s) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 8, residents have two chances to hear what the federal candidates have to say, first at an all-candidates luncheon put on by the Sechelt and District Chamber of Commerce at Blue Ocean Golf Club from noon to 1:30 p.m. and then at Chatelech Secondary School starting at 6:30 p.m.
There is a cost to attend the Oct. 8 all-candidates luncheon ($20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members) and guests must pre-register by contacting the Sechelt and District Chamber of Commerce at 604-885-0662 or www.secheltchamber.bc.ca.
The 6:30 p.m. all-candidates meeting at Chatelech on Oct. 8 is also being hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, and residents are asked to submit any questions they might have for candidates ahead of time by email to [email protected].
Election day has been set for Oct. 19 but constituents can vote by special ballot between now and Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. if they so choose, as well as at advance polling stations between Friday, Oct. 9 and Monday, Oct. 12 from noon to 8 p.m. each day.
Find out more at www.elections.ca.
