Dear editor,
It is a pleasure to be writing to you as the new candidate for the federal New Democrats. It is a privilege to be a candidate for the party that cares about you and me. Jack Layton is a different kind of leader, who is in it for the right reasons. He and the New Democrats see that after five years of Harper’s Conservatives, life is less affordable, jobs are scarce, seniors are hurting, and communities are suffering.
And now, we are seeing the downgrading of Coast Guard services and boats. The Conservative representative for this riding sits idly by, while the Point Race rescue vessel is replaced with a smaller boat, which is criticized for being less fit for our coastal waters and will jeopardize lives.
Meanwhile, the Liberals, who started the move to replace the Point Race and the Point Henry when they were at the helm in the late 1990’s, are doing nothing in Ottawa to prevent this shrinking of the safety net for coastal communities.
As your NDP Member of Parliament, I will be proud to be part of the New Democrat team that includes MP Nathan Cullen. Nathan met earlier this month with the head of the Coast Guard to demand public hearings here on the west coast and continues to raise the issue with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in the House of Commons.
The NDP is fighting hard for practical results for the people of Vancouver Island North. I am committed to work hard with Jack and the NDP team to see real change for Canadians.
Life should be more affordable for working families and seniors. Our fishery and marine resources should be protected. Vancouver Island North deserves a representative who will stand up for them. Sincerely,
Ronna-Rae Leonard
Courtenay