A long-serving NDP MP who isn't seeking re-election is instead criss-crossing the country on an 'Elbows Up' tour to support the party's other candidates and denounce the U.S. administration.
Charlie Angus, who was MP for Timmins-James Bay for almost 20 years, was in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding at a rally hosted by NDP candidate Lisa Marie Barron at the Beban Park Social Centre on Friday, April 11.
"Call me the brass knuckles wing of the love, hope and optimism team," said Angus.
He urged people to continue to boycott U.S. products when possible and be willing to forgo California asparagus for root vegetables, for example.
"When we wave the Canadian flag now, this is our flag again," he said. "We're taking it back from convoy, we're taking it back from conspiracy, we're taking it back from the people who kept our flag upside-down."
Angus said there's no easy solution to dealing with a "hostile threat" on the other side of the border, but suggested that Canada should try to be a role model to the world and hold onto values such as diversity, equity and inclusion, and said voting NDP in the federal election is part of that.
"The pathway for maple MAGA is through Vancouver Island on the vote-splitting. You can't let that happen. That's why I'm out here…" he said. "I worry more about maple MAGA than I do about Donald Trump. We can't let it in our house, we can't let it in our own grounds. Once we stop it dead in its tracks, then we start building the country we want."
Gord Johns, NDP candidate for Courtenay-Alberni, also spoke at the event. He talked about his party's work with the federal government in helping to deliver dental care and pharmacare and expand $10-a-day childcare, and promised that the NDP will continue to call out corporate greed as banks, oil and gas companies and supermarkets see their profits soar. Johns said with the Liberals or Conservatives in power in Ottawa, "it is ready to look like a corporate boardroom unless we're there."
Barron said it was incredibly powerful to host a room full of people, many with 'Elbows Up' signs, and said it's what Canada looks like.
"Isn't this the perfect example of what we have when people are united, when people are note divided, when people are together standing strong against bullies?" she asked.
The candidates in Nanaimo-Ladysmith are Barron of the NDP, Tamara Kronis for the Conservatives, Michelle Corfield representing the Liberals, Paul Manly for the Greens and Stephen Welton of the People's Party of Canada.
In Courtenay-Alberni, Johns is the NDP incumbent, with Kris McNichol running for the Conservatives, Brian Cameron for the Liberals, Chris Markevich for the Green Party, Thomas Gamble for the PPC, Jesse Musial of the Christian Heritage Party and Teresa Knight for the Animal Protection Party.
Voting day is April 28.
