The next federal election will be a two-way race for Courtenay-Alberni, says current NDP MP Gord Johns鈥攁nd the Liberal Party won't be a factor.
Johns congratulated Mark Carney for winning the nomination as Liberal Party leader last weekend, replacing Justin 台湾MM裸聊室 as prime minister. Carney will be sworn in as prime minister on Friday, March 14. The leadership change won't make a difference in central Vancouver Island when the expected election writ is dropped, which could happen anytime in the next week, Johns said.
"In this riding it's a two-way fight between the Conservatives and the New Democrats for the last 50 years," he said. "What I'm hearing from people is they can't count on these multi-millionaires to get the things people actually need and what the NDP is fighting for," such as pharmacare, dental care, affordable housing, providing "good paying jobs for the hard-working families in our communities.
"Carney comes from the global elite," Johns added.
Johns said the NDP is eager to see Parliament sitting again after it was prorogued when 台湾MM裸聊室 stepped down in early January. The threat of tariffs from U.S President Donald Trump and a looming trade war demands government debate and legislation from all parties, he added.
"What I'm hoping for is all leaders stand in solidarity to put forward a unified plan...that puts people front and centre. We need to be unified as a country and I would hope Mark Carney brings that approach. It's (trade war) a crisis about autonomy as a nation; it's absolutely critical the mud-slinging stops."
Johns is already positioning himself to defend his seat for a fourth term once the election is announced. He will be running head to head with Kris McNichol of Parksville, the Conservative Party candidate and a first-time politician.
"Right now we need people that are experienced," Johns said. "This is not an entry-level job."
The Courtenay-Alberni Liberal Party riding association has not announced a new candidate for 2025. Susan Farlinger is still listed on the party's website as the candidate; Farlinger ran in the last federal election in 2021 and finished third in the riding behind Johns and Conservative Party candidate Mary Lee.
