New Democrats are hoping that Bill Forst will be able to carry the party to a win in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding on Oct. 14.
As a second B.C. NDP candidate fell by the wayside last week because of a link to illegal drug use, the party is now working hard to prove it can represent its ridings.
"I am impressed by his community activity and dedication to the party," Lyle Kristiansen said in his motion to move that Forst be the party's nominee at a nomination meeting Sept. 19 in Sechelt.
A former member of parliament himself, Kristiansen added, "No one deserves the opportunity and support as much as Bill Forst."
After accepting the nomination, Forst said he still supports Dana Larsen, the original candidate for the riding. Larsen stepped down following videos that surfaced showing him using various drugs. In one case, Larsen was shown driving a car after using.
In a lighthearted manner, Forst pointed out that many people have skeletons in their closet from 10 years ago, the era when the Larsen drug use videos were made. He then went on to highlight some of the things other candidates were doing a decade ago.
Forst said Stephen Harper was heading up an extreme right-wing organization called the National Citizens Coalition that, among other activities, was working to privatize public services. He said Stéphane Dion was the environment minister under Paul Martin's government only five years ago. The Kyoto Accord was ratified and yet somehow carbon emissions grew under the Liberals.
Forst went on to point out that Elizabeth May, leader of the Green party, was working for the Sierra Club advising Brian Mulroney's Conservative government.
Forst joked that 10 years ago, current MP Blair Wilson was driving around Whistler in a big SUV. He said Wilson only began toting green practices when they served his purpose as they are now that he is running with the Green party. He said Conservative candidate John Weston was working for a Christian law firm, and while there was nothing wrong with that, what was suspicious was Weston warning Christian firms not to tell potential clients they were Christians.
Forst was referring to a May 2005 Globe and Mail article in which columnist Jeffrey Simpson stated he discovered articles Weston had posted on the Christian Legal Fellowship website describing "the process of forming a 'Christian law firm,' including avoiding the use of the term in marketing in case the label Christian might backfire by embarrassing the Kingdom of God and drive away clients who might be turned off or mystified by the spiritual connection."
As for him, Forst said he is guilty of driving an old VW van that emits a lot of exhaust and that lately he has been talking on his cell phone while driving, which he knows is not safe.
Forst is a long-time resident of the Sunshine Coast, having taught school there for 35 years. He is active in community theatre and said he is passionate about protecting the environment so that his grandchildren will have a healthy earth on which to live.
"If you want to elect Jack Layton, you can elect someone who knows the Coast intimately," Forst said. "I was raised with an ethic to care about people even in a capitalist system, to be a humanitarian that will ultimately have us surviving in 2050."Forst acknowledged that the party has an uphill battle with his nomination coming so late in the political race."I need your help," he told the membership. "Tell all your friends, they don't have to vote for Blair Wilson, what's his name from Squamish Ian Suth-erland or John Wes-ton. All your friends will say they have to vote strategically and you ask them 'What'd you get last time when you did that?' At best you'll get Dion, or you'll get Harper."
