Two contenders are seeking the federal NDP nomination in the new riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay. Margaret Maximenko (left) and Richard (Dick) Cannings addressed a room of about 25 at the Elks Hall in Oliver on Wednesday evening. (Richard McGuire photo)
If Margaret Maximenko had her way, she would like to see criminal charges brought against Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“He has acted like a dictator,” said Maximenko, who is one of two contenders for the nomination to represent the NDP locally in the next federal election.
The NDP is holding its nomination meeting for the new riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay in Grand Forks on Saturday, Oct. 18. Party members can also vote in advance by mail or electronically on Oct. 16.
Maximenko acknowledged she might find herself in trouble for her strong language aimed at Harper and stressed she was voicing a personal opinion and not speaking for her party.
But she didn’t hold back.
“I think he’s a traitor to Canada,” she said last Wednesday at a “Meet the Candidates” event at the Elks Hall in Oliver that was attended by about 25 party faithful.
Her opinion about what to do with Harper was the only major point of disagreement between Maximenko and the other contender, environmentalist Richard (Dick) Cannings.
“I think that might be going too far,” Cannings said when asked about the suggestion of criminal charges, although he acknowledged that new information about Harper could surface when Conservative Senator Mike Duffy goes to trial next year.
Cannings had his own list of complaints about the Prime Minister, but he thinks Harper should be removed through the electoral system.
“I think he’s going to pay the price,” said Cannings. “We (Canadian voters) can throw him out and I think we will.”
When the audience grilled the candidates on other issues ranging from local concerns to funding for the CBC to foreign policy, it became clear there was little difference in their positions.
“We’re both New Democrats,” said Cannings. “The NDP covers the environment, social justice, labour issues and women’s issues. It covers all those things and we totally agree on that. There are minor differences among New Democrats as there are in any big tent party, but I certainly haven’t detected any of that difference between Margaret and myself.”
Asked how they differentiate themselves, the two contenders for the nomination instead pointed to their experience and career paths.
Maximenko has held elected office as a director for Christina Lake with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. She also was a local government spokesperson on the premier’s Commission on Resources and the Environment (C.O.R.E.)
She has also worked on election campaigns since she was recruited at the age of 16 to run an NDP campaign office.
“I know what it takes to win an election,” Maximenko said in her opening remarks, “It takes hard work and I stand here as one of the hardest workers you will ever meet.”
Cannings cited his experience running as a candidate in Penticton in the 2013 provincial election, a campaign that he lost to Dan Ashton.
“Penticton, whether you like it or not, is where this riding will be won or lost,” he said. “It represents almost half the voters in the riding.”
Cannings also stressed his background as a scientist and ecologist who has written more than a dozen books about B.C., many of them about birds.
Although Maximenko took one swipe at “young” Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, the two spent most of their time criticizing Harper and his Conservative government.
“While door knocking, I learned that many people were more angry at Stephen Harper than they were at Christy Clark,” Cannings said, reflecting on last year’s provincial campaign. “Harper in a few short years has changed Canada to a country we barely recognize.”
Canada has changed from being an honest broker in international affairs to a cheerleader for right-wing sentiments, he said.
This country was once a leader in environmental issues, but is now ranked dead last among 27 developed countries on environmental policies, he said.
“Harper is completely out of touch with Canadians,” Cannings said. “We need a new government in Ottawa that will listen to Canadians instead of insulting them. We need a government that will bring democracy back to Parliament Hill.”
Maximenko argued that Harper has sent Canada to war without a vote in the House of Commons despite promising in the past to consult Parliament.
“He has disregarded his own promises on that issue, which is a fundamental issue for Canadians and for national security,” she said. “By his actions he has destroyed our peacekeeping role in the world and has given us a bad reputation where we used to have a stellar reputation.”
She also cited trade agreements with Europe and China in which Harper is trading away Canadians’ rights to protect jobs and the environment.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Margaret Maximenko wants to see criminal charges brought against Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (Richard McGuire photo)
Richard (Dick) Cannings thinks Stephen Harper should and will be removed through the ballot box. (Richard McGuire photo)
Two contenders are seeking the federal NDP nomination in the new riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay. Margaret Maximenko (left) and Richard (Dick) Cannings addressed a room of about 25 at the Elks Hall in Oliver on Wednesday evening. (Richard McGuire photo)
Richard (Dick) Cannings (right) makes a point while Margaret Maximenko listens. The two stopped in Oliver on Wednesday evening as part of “meet the candidates” tour of the new federal riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay. Both are seeking their party’s nomination to be the candidate in the next federal election. (Richard McGuire photo)
