Tom Mulcair wants to build a more sustainable future for Canada as the next leader of the federal NDP.
The leadership candidate visited Nanaimo Saturday to discuss his political platform at the Nanaimo Museum.
Creating a sustainable development is a key platform issue for Mulcair, who spoke to about 50 people.
“We can’t continue to do what we are doing,” he said. “We’re leaving future generations to clean up soil that is being fouled.”
Principles of sustainable development are important for Canada, because current policies are negatively affecting the environment, and social and economic aspects of the country, Mulcair said. Canada has great opportunities for green energy development, especially wind power, because Canada has some of the “most consistent wind currents in the world”, he added.
In order for the NDP to win more seats, the party has to talk to people that share “our soul and vision who didn’t vote for us,” Mulcair said.
He said the party has to put forward a platform that “respects fundamentally” who the NDP are, but appeals to more Canadians. That means the party has to go back to the drawing board and create policies that resonate with Canadians and choose its priorities, understanding that the NDP can’t accomplish everything it wants at once, he added.
“We have to become the light that people can go to and say, ‘I have confidence in you’,” said Mulcair. “We are going to be there to make our dreams a reality for Canadians.”
He said Canadians need politicians who aren’t influenced by insiders.
“The only interest I will be answerable to is to the public,” said Mulcair. “The only people I will be beholden to is you.”
Lorraine Erickson, who travelled from Victoria to volunteer at the event, said Mulcair is a politician who is doing something for Canadians.
“He is focused, he is thoughtful and he has a strong background trying to expand the NDP vision to include practical common sense goals for the future,” said Erickson.
Colin Pacholuk, who attended the event, said Mulcair was one of the front runners for him when the leadership race began.
“He was honest and straightforward,” said Pacholuk. “If he didn’t know the answer he didn’t try to make up an answer for it.”
The NDP leadership vote is March 24. Each member of the federal party will be eligible to vote.
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