There was standing room only for the B.C. Conservative Party’s “Rally in the Valley” on April 24.
More than 350 people packed into the Duncan Meadows Golf Club as party leader John Rustad laid out a new political direction for B.C. and answered questions from the audience, together with Conservative house leader Bruce Banman, Cowichan Valley Conservative candidate John Koury and a number of other candidates from across Vancouver Island.
Koury said he was pleased with the size and the enthusiasm of the crowd that showed up for the rally, and their questions and concerns were far ranging.
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He said a number of themes came to light, including constraints placed on builders in the private housing sector who face long waiting periods for building permits; and resource management and production, particularly in the forest industry which continues to have to deal with substantial raw-log exports and the need for more value-added products made locally.
“Health care and the fact that there are no family doctors, long waits for treatment at emergency rooms and for hip and knee replacements were also raised,” Koury said.
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“Issues around affordability and the fact that many people can’t get ahead and are struggling just to provide the necessities, despite that fact that they work hard every day, were also discussed. The fact that many people can’t find a place to live, and the rising cost of food is a continuing problem. People can’t plan for their future anymore.”
With the provincial election scheduled for October, Koury said he and his campaign team’s focus is knocking on as many doors as possible in the Cowichan Valley to get the Conservative message across to people.
“We’ve knocked on well over 1,000 doors already to connect with the people in our riding to spread the word of hope for citizens fed up and worried about the way things are today,” he said.
“The Conservative movement is on the rise in B.C. People are demanding change to improve the health and welfare for themselves, their families and their beloved communities.”