NDP members in the riding of South Okanagan – West Kootenay have again selected Richard Cannings to represent them in the next federal election.
Cannings filed his official paperwork with the party last month and was nominated during an online meeting on Sunday, Jan. 24. He was uncontested.
“It is truly an honour to be asked to represent the best part of Canada once again, and I am keen to keep working hard for our area”, said Cannings.
A federal election is not scheduled until October 2023.
“If Prime Minister Trudeau calls a snap election this spring, we are ready and Richard’s name will be on the ballot,” said Andrina Calvert, president of the local NDP Electoral District Association.
Cannings has been a well-liked MP, winning the riding in 2019 and 2015. Cannings also received the Forest Product Association of Canada’s Community Champion Award in 2018.
This past year Cannings and his NDP caucus have been particularly influential as it holds the balance of power in Trudeau’s minority government.
“While the other parties have been playing a lot of games, we’re delivering results,” said Cannings. “I’m proud of the supports we’ve fought hard for and achieved for Canadians struggling during the pandemic,” he said referring to the 75 per cent wage subsidy, paid sick days, extension of CERB, rental assistance for small businesses, and support for students, seniors and people living with disabilities.
“We’re getting things done but there is so much more to do – we’re focused on ramping up the pressure to deliver on pharmacare, dental care and real progress against the climate crisis.”
Sunday’s meeting also included NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh who visited the riding four times last election and finished his national tour in Penticton with a highly memorable, rockstar-like rally.
Singh rallied the virtual crowd once again and pointed out, “when you send New Democrats like Richard to Ottawa, you get results.”
READ MORE: Cannings enjoys Robbie Burns night with haggis and Oliver whiskey
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