A floating bridge from Mill Bay to the Saanich Peninsula to allow for quick access from the Cowichan Valley to Victoria International Airport and BC Ferries is on the agenda of a new political party that will be participating in May’s provincial election.
The newly formed Vancouver Island Party is now in the process of recruiting candidates to run in the election in all of Vancouver Island’s 14 ridings, including the Cowichan Valley.
Party leader Robin Richardson, a former Progressive Conservative MP for the riding of Toronto-Beaches, said the party wants all Vancouver Islanders to be given an option of choosing a candidate who will advocate specifically for the interests of the Island.
He said that by electing VIP MLAs, Islanders will ensure a committed voice dedicated to creating a stronger region in British Columbia economically, socially, environmentally and culturally.
‘The fact is, the Island has been neglected by both the province and federal government since the British forced a union between B.C. and the Island 150 years ago,” Richardson said.
“If we are elected in some of the Island’s ridings, our first goal would be to work towards making the Island a stronger region in the country, and our longer-term goal would be to make the Island the 11th province in Canada.”
As a political party, Richardson said the VIP will be fiscally responsible, socially progressive, environmentally green and culturally respectful.
“Basically, our goal is to appeal to people from all walks of life,” he said.
“It’s important to state that we are not a separatist party and want to remain in the Canadian federation.”
The VIP’s other platform priorities related to the Cowichan Valley include rebuilding and upgrading the E&N railroad, building a road and rail connection from Lake Cowichan to Port Alberni, and another from Lake Cowichan to Bamfield.
For more information on the VIP, check out the website www.VanIsleParty.com