Premier Christy Clark and MLA Peter Fassbender. Photo: Ray Hudson.

Only 243 days to election May 9

 

Premier Christy Clark and MLA Peter Fassbender. Photo: Ray Hudson.
Premier Christy Clark and MLA Peter Fassbender. Photo: Ray Hudson.

Fleetwood: It’s not quite up to the time-lines of the road to the White House but with eight months to go before the May 9 election in British Columbia, MLA Peter Fassbender kicked off his re-election campaign with the launch of his campaign office at 88th and the Fraser Highway in Fleetwood last weekend.

Although it was a cool damp autumn day, the spirits of Fassbender and his supporters was an effective counteraction, particularly when Leader and Premier Christy Clark arrived to fire up the troops. MLAs Marvin Hunt, Panorama and Stephanie Cadieux of Cloverdale, also the Minister for Children and Family Development. Gordon Hogg the MLA for White Rock was on hand as well as Surrey Councillor Tom Gill.

The complexion of Surrey will change electorally with the addition of a ninth riding. Surrey-South, which will be contested by Stephanie Cadieux, will lose Cloverdale while expanding to include more of the Crescent Beach area. Marvin Hunt is planning to contest Cloverdale, where he lives, and Surrey-Tynehead, held by Amrik Virk will be renamed Surrey Guildford and expanded.

The NDP MLA’s Bruce Ralston in Surrey-Whalley, Sue Hammell in Surrey-Green Timbers and Harry Bains in Surrey-Newton have said they will run, as has Jagrup Brar who, after losing a close race to Peter Fassbender in Fleetwood, will challenge the incumbent again. Surrey-White Rock is still a question mark as long time MLA Gordon Hogg decides whether or not he will run again.

Premier Clark reiterated the success of her government as developing the strongest economy in Canada, creating 178,000 jobs and funding 2,700 new seats for children in Surrey schools. She said that there will be a provincial investment of $250 million in transit, with the majority of that coming to Surrey. She reminded the audience that the election was 243 days away and they need to work hard to allow her government’s agenda to continue.