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Eden Hathornthwaite to run as independent

Eden Hathornthwaite has decided to run as an independent socialist in the Cowichan Valley riding in the provincial election this spring.
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EDEN HAYTHORNTHWAITE

Eden Hathornthwaite has decided to run as an independent socialist candidate in the Cowichan Valley riding in the provincial election this spring.

Hathornthwaite, who has lived in Duncan for almost 40 years, was the chairwoman of the Cowichan Valley school board when the board was fired by the Ministry of Education in 2012 for sending a deficit budget to Victoria.

She said she will focus her campaign in the provincial election on demonstrating the need for "genuine democracy" in the Cowichan Valley and the province.

'We should not simply confine our political involvement to an election every few years for a selection of candidates who never challenge the economic arrangements which prevent us from responding to the crisis of wealth inequality and climate change," Hathornthwaite said.

"All decisions which affect our lives must be arrived at with active participation throughout B.C. Through proportional representation and publicly funded elections, we will achieve more involvement and representation for all our citizens."

Hathornthwaite said she would advocate for more affordable housing, improved schools, better health and senior care and the right for self determination among First Nations.

She said the province's tax code is a "disgrace" and must be overhauled to ensure the rich pay their share.

"We know working people have a right to the best our province can provide, unrelated to their income and the location of their community," Hathornthwaite said.

"We know only democratically directed public ownership of all natural resources, as well as the banking, transportation, communication and insurance sectors, will begin to supply the revenue we need to fulfill the promise of our land. This will not happen unless we address the profound fact that when profit and selfish personal gain for a tiny handful of individuals governs our economic system, some needs, in fact the most important ones, will not be met."

Hathornthwaite joins a growing list of candidates in the Cowichan Valley for the upcoming election.

They include the Green Party's Sonia Furstenau, Liberal Steve Housser, the NDP's Lori Iannidinardo, Libertarian James Anderson and independent Ian Morrison.



Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
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