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North Island-Powell River NDP acclaims Rachel Blaney as its candidate for 2019 federal election

Incumbent MP for the North Island-Powell River federal riding Rachel Blaney has been acclaimed as the NDP’s candidate for the 2019 federal election.
Rachel Blaney
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney talks to a media scrum in a hallway in Centre Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Incumbent MP for the North Island-Powell River federal riding Rachel Blaney has been acclaimed as the NDP’s candidate for the 2019 federal election. She first assumed office in the 2015 election, securing 40 per cent of the vote in what was then a newly established riding.

Since being elected, Blaney said she has worked hard to address concerns facing residents in the riding. In particular, she perceives housing as a key issue.

“We are hearing from businesses facing recruitment and retention issues because people can’t find housing,” she explained. “People think housing is a big city issue, but what we’re seeing is that it’s an issue everywhere.”

Although the B.C. government recently invested $231 million in affordable housing projects, Blaney said she would like to see the federal government make more resources available to address the issue.

“Very few federal dollars have come anywhere, and communities on the ground need investment now,” she said. “If I was in government, I would work with provincial and territorial governments to get dollars on the ground as quickly as possible.”

In addition to serving as her party’s deputy whip, Blaney serves as vice-chair on the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs and as a counsellor on the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association executive committee.

Shortly before the end of the last parliamentary session, Blaney also began working on combatting issues around the forced sterilization of indigenous women.

“I’m glad to see that the pressure is up,” said Blaney. “It’s an issue that’s been silenced for way too long.”

Blaney also worked on a committee studying challenges faced by seniors across Canada, and addressed how the federal government can help to solve these issues.

“It was a good moment to see that report put together, and see it comprehensively addressing the issues that seniors face,” she added. “What I would like to see is a national seniors’ strategy. This would work out solutions that make practical sense.”

Outside of Parliament, Blaney said she has also addressed concerns in the local community.

“There’s a lot that we do in the riding to support individuals and businesses; a lot of work that I’m really proud of,” she said. “As an MP, I take it very seriously that I talk to everybody. If we don’t agree, we have respectful conversations about it.”

Although Blaney has worked across party lines on a number of issues, the MP said she is disappointed over the Liberal government’s handling of environmental concerns.

“I really was hopeful that we were going to see changes in terms of the environment,” she said. “We have to move into a more stable economy so that we can become a voice in the world. Canada could be a world leader in this sector.”

Born and raised in northern B.C., Blaney said she understands the precariousness of making a living in a resource-based community, and the importance of ensuring moves toward renewable energy do not inflict damage on vulnerable communities.

“It’s important that we don’t leave workers behind, and that we work with different sectors that have the opportunity to work in a different direction,” she said. “Everyday workers have been left behind by the Liberal government.”

The federal election is scheduled for Oct. 21. So far, Blaney is set to face the Conservative Party’s Shelley Downey. Liberal and Green parties have yet to announce candidates for the riding.

Blaney said she is pleased to have secured her party’s nomination.

“I’m really happy to have been nominated,” she added, “and to have the chance to do this job again.”