Conservative candidates in Nanaimo’s two federal ridings brought in some star power to help with their election campaigns.
Nancy Greene Raine, Conservative Senator for B.C., 1968 Olympic gold and silver medallist in alpine skiing, and Canada’s female athlete of the 20th century, was in the Harbour City Thursday to show support for Nanaimo-Cowichan candidate John Koury and Nanaimo-Alberni incumbent James Lunney.
“There are a lot of people out there who are a little bit fed up with the way politics have been going and want to give our government a chance to govern without being a minority,” Greene told a crowd of about 50 Conservative supporters. “I’ve always felt as a citizen our obligation is to vote, and our obligation is to get educated so you vote wisely.”
Greene, appointed to the Senate in 2009, said getting people – especially young people – out to vote is key to this election.
“We’re reaching out to the young people,” she said. “Those in their 30s and 40s are very aware of the demographics and how the increasing need for health care is going to affect them.
“They’re also stressed about government spending and paying down the debt. They don’t want that debt to be a burden on them.”
She said it’s vital that people who understand what the country is facing get out and vote.
“This is a really serious election. If [Canada] messes up with this one, we could dig ourselves into a huge hole,” she said.
Lunney called this election the strangest of the five he has been involved in, with high stakes for Canada.
He said the Conservatives not only have to hold their turf, but gain some if the country wants to move forward and advance in the face of economic turmoil.
“When you see what’s going on around the world, there’s only one party that can provide Canada with stability,” he said. “If we don’t get the majority this time, we’re not going to have stability. That’s quite clear.”
Koury sees the election as a golden opportunity for not only the Conservatives, but the Nanaimo-Cowichan riding as well.
“People are so upset about this election that they are willing to put their anger and frustration into action. They want to end this cycle of election after election every two years,” he said.
Koury said voter issues in the riding include the economy, jobs and taxes.
“The riding needs an effective voice in government,” he said. “We haven’t had that for a long time.”