Sheldon Clare touted himself as a "hardware-store conservative" on Tuesday in announcing his run as an independent candidate for Cariboo-Prince George in October's federal election.
"I believe in fiscal responsibility but I also believe in fulfilling our obligations," said Clare, whose most-prominent roles currently include working as an English and history instructor at the College of New Caledonia and serving as president of Canada's National Firearms Association (NFA).
During his morning announcement, attended by a handful of supporters in front of the Prince George CNC campus, Clare outlined a platform hinging on the economy, representation for local issues and social obligations.
"The current government has failed to broker the deals and create jobs and it has cut funding for seniors, veterans and students that is vital to this country," he said.
Clare also touched on his opposition to mandatory minimum sentences, the anti-terrorism legislation enshrined in the recently passed Bill C-51 and his support for door-to-door mail delivery.
A life-long Prince George resident, Clare said Cariboo-Prince George voters know what they want in a member of Parliament.
"They want courage, integrity and someone who takes responsibility and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in," he said.
And standing up for the riding could include latching on to another party, if elected.
Clare said he would not make a promise to not cross the floor if he makes it to Ottawa as an independent.
"If there are deals to be made, that's how Parliament works. Winston Churchill himself crossed the floor more than once to be able to get what he thought was best for the people of his district and riding," said Clare. "I'm prepared to work with all parties - that's one of the advantages of being an independent."
Clare's announcement makes him the riding's fourth candidate, joining Liberal Tracy Calogheros, Conservative Todd Doherty and the Christian Heritage Party's Adam De Kroon. The NDP will nominate their candidate Aug. 24.
Running for office is something Clare said he has toyed with for the past two decades. He was an early organizer of the Reform Party in P.G. and spent several terms as contract negotiator for CNC's faculty association. But Clare said he ultimately ruled out seeking a nomination with an established party because it's a broken system.
"I saw that very clearly in the latest nomination race and nomination races held all over the country for all of the political parties. And I think that's a big problem," he said.
Clare has a long history of community involvement, including serving two terms as the president of the Royal Canadian Legion branch, working with the Alpine Club of Canada, Prince George Rod and Gun Club and helping to bring back the Northern Hardware Canoe Race this summer.
But it's his work as the head of the country's leading gun lobby group, the National Firearms Association, that is giving his detractors the most ammunition.
As NFA president, a position he has held since 2010, Clare is currently involved in a lawsuit before the Alberta courts.
Clare and a number of other members of the NFA executive and board of directors are named in documents alleging improper use of NFA resources, and breaking the Not-For-Profit Corporations Act through improper record-keeping, barring people from the annual general meeting, and wrongfully dismissing a former employee.
On Tuesday, Clare brushed off the legal action as mostly the result of "firing somebody who's popular."
"I'm very satisfied with my legal team that's in place dealing with it," Clare said.
"They're doing very well and it's something we're winning because we're on the right side of light."
