A Prince George lawyer has thrown his hat in the ring for the May 2 federal election with a successful nomination to represent the Liberal Party in the Prince George-Peace River riding Monday night.
Ben Levine, 40, says the Conservative government has held both Prince George seats for years, but hasn't done nearly enough to develop trade opportunities that would benefit the region.
The Canadian position on softwood lumber issues has not been adequately defended, he said, adding it was a bad deal when Conservative leader Stephen Harper signed it in 2006 and it's no better today.
Levine sees the economy as the main local issue, with emphasis on three aspects of the Gateway initiative. Investment is needed to expand opportunities in Prince Rupert. Prince George can be a big part of that, after all "it was a Liberal idea in the first place," he said.
More support must be given to the Prince George airport, getting rid of prohibitive policies that discourage trade, in order for the airport to realize its potential.
As swell, Highways 16 and 97 must be upgraded, from Dawson Creek to Prince Rupert, to develop access to Asian markets.
Levine admits he's new to politics and is embarking on his first campaign.
"That's an advantage," he said. "I am not a career politician. I am doing this because I really believe it is the right thing to do. We need a change.
"I know that is seems like an uphill battle, but the truth is, our region has not been at all well-served by the Conservative party. We've been expected to just keep checking the Conservative box on voting day. It's just not good enough."
Levine, who's been practicing law in the city since 2002, is a partner in the firm of Coller Levine, is president of the local Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society. He and his wife Lily have a seven-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Levine is facing off against Conservative candidate Bob Zimmer, NDP candidate Lois Boone and Green Party candidate Hilary Crowley.
In the Cariboo-Prince George riding, fourth generation cattle rancher Heidi Redl of Williams Lake Redl will be campaigning for the Green Party in Prince George on Saturday and Sunday.
Redl will be meeting with the returning officer for Elections Canada to register her nomination in the afternoon, and later will meet with Students for a Green University at UNBC. On Sunday, she's been invited to attend a Safe Water Coalition meeting at 1 p.m. where a fluoride ban will be discussed.
Drawing on her experience as chair of the Agricultural Committee and as a board member for the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Redl looks forward to serving the people of Cariboo-Chilcotin.
She said she has a solid grasp on the economy of the region and the struggles faced by small businesses and the retail sector. Through being involved in her husband's work as a woodlot manager she said she's developed a good understanding of provincial forestry and the impact felt by issues such as the pine beetle epidemic.
The only other declared candidate in Carboo-Prince George is Dick Harris, incumbent Conservative member.
Harris will be campaigning in Williams Lake Saturday and Sunday, and also in Quesnel on Sunday. He'll be in Prince George Monday, knocking on doors and meeting people, both here and in Vanderhoof. He said he'll be in this region for five or six days before heading back to the Chilcotin.
Harris said he'll be campaigning this time around the same as he's always done.
"The only way to campaign is to go as if you're always one vote behind - 24-seven."
