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Paddon throws hat in the ring for provincial election in Nanaimo-North Cowichan

P. Anna Paddon is making her second run to be the MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan as an independent candidate in May’s provincial election.
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Anna Paddon

P. Anna Paddon is making her second run to be the MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan as an independent candidate in May’s provincial election.

Paddon ran as an independent in the riding in the last provincial election, but received just 65 votes.

However, Paddon thinks many in the riding, and across the province, are becoming increasingly tired of the established parties, and the time is right for her to succeed in Nanaimo-North Cowichan this time around.

She said Liberal and NDP MLAs must follow the rules and policies of their parties, while an independent MLA can be more self-reliant and better able to stand up and fight for their constituents.

“People are looking for different options and many would be glad to vote for an independent candidate that would give voice to their views,” Paddon said.

Paddon, a housewife and mother, currently works as a cashier at Walmart and has been a political activist for many years.

She said advocating for a bridge from Vancouver Island, maybe from Crofton, to the Lower Mainland. Also on her priority list if elected is a high-speed railway from the Island to the mainland, and the construction of a second route from Victoria to the rest of the Island around the Malahat.

Paddon said the construction of more affordable housing in the riding and supporting B.C.’s forest industry in the upcoming negotiations with the Americans over NAFTA are also pillars of her campaign.

“I’m ready to work hard for the people in Nanaimo-North Cowichan,” she said.

Doug Routley, the NDP MLA who has held Nanaimo-North Cowichan for two terms, is running for re-election, while former four-term Alberta MLA Alana DeLong has been acclaimed by the Liberals as their candidate this year, and Lia Versaevel is in the race for the Greens.

The general provincial election will take place on May 9, 2017.



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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