Ask the candidates
Which political parties do you support?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Herald sent a series of five questions to city council candidates in Penticton. The questions were supplied in writing and responses were limited to 100 words.
QUESTION: Absent political parties at the local level, it’s hard for voters to know anything about a candidate’s broad political views. So which political parties do you support at the provincial and federal level? If you won’t say, why won’t you say?
JOHN ARCHER: I have supported a variety of political parties in the past, as the issues of the day and my life concerned me and those politicians who spoke for me received my vote. In the past 30 years, I have most strongly supported those political parties who have strongly advocated for the rights of minorities, women, the LGBTQ+ community, the disabled and the list goes on. I have never voted for any party that sought to interfere with those rights. DUFFY BAKER: Did not reply.
JULIUS BLOOMFIELD: My provincial election candidacy as a Green party candidate 10 years ago put me firmly in the centrist environmental group. However, I left the party as I dislike being boxed in to a party ideology, as there are some aspects of all parties that I agree with. Running as an independent gives me the freedom to show my true colours. It may take a little more attention from the voters to see where I stand, but increased engagement in the process is not a bad thing.
KAREN BROWNLEE: I am a federal Liberal. When the Liberals last election had barely a heartbeat left, we rallied to get them back into the race. What this means to me is that I am not a fair-weather person who jumps from one popular fad to another. I go into the trenches and will fight even when the going gets tough. As a councilwoman, I will use this same determination to make Penticton a safe, healthy and properly balanced place to live.
GLENN CLARK: Federal or provincial parties are not represented in municipalities. The politics are different; we are not deciding the LNG, what’s a Nuclear Free zone, carbon taxes? It’s a different game. A person of any federal or provincial party can be very effective on council. It’s inappropriate to marry the two together. I have voted for a number of political parties, both provincial and federal. It depends on the issues and politicians. DARYL CLARKE: I am not a member of any political party, but I would describe myself as a person who stands near the center of the road and I believe in programs that give a hand up, not a hand out. In the past when I have voted I have looked at the issues and the candidates and over the years. I have voted across all three of the main parties federally and both provincially, depending on who I feel will represent me the best. CHRISTOPHER EVASIN: Did not reply. JOE FROCKLAGE: Did not reply.
ISAAC GILBERT: I have been an NDP member in the past. I joined when Jack Layton passed away because I wanted to have a voice in who would be the next leader. I supported Nathan Cullen for his run for leader of the federal NDP. I can relate to Nathan because he has not always been partisan. Something I struggle with as well. Why I am really enjoying this run for council is because I am an independent. I do not have to worry about party whipping and towing the line. I am working to become a respectful arbiter between our citizens and city.
LYNN KELSEY: I always look at supporting the people. I am a member of the NDP both provincially and federally. In my family, my grandfather was staunch NDP and grandma was Social Credit and the signs on the front yard let people know. I was taught critical thinking. One of the reason I support proportional representation is it will encourage cooperation between the parties and not the polarized political swings that occur under first past the post. Remember to vote in the upcoming referendum.
JAKE KIMBERLEY: I support the social issues that are out there in our communities, housing, health care and the need to help the unemployed. Provincially, I support the New Democrats. However, I will watch closely if they start going too far left in their policies. It was once said that if the left goes too far left and the right go too far to the right they will meet, hence the politics end up very close to Communism. Federally, I’m a Liberal, I like what Justin Trudeau stands for (Northern Pipeline a concern). I very much like the image he gives to Canada around the world — young and respected.
JESSE MARTIN: I have always voted based on the character of a politician, not their political affiliation. If you watch somebody long enough and in different scenarios, I believe your gut will tell you what kind of person they are. This is why I’ve always tried to make informed decisions, and look to pick the candidate that displays the most honesty, intelligence, and listening skills. If I had to choose an affiliation, I would be in between. I believe there are good people on both sides and that both liberal and conservative ideas are need to keep each other in check.
DOUG MAXWELL: I have been a member of BC First and NDP in the past, but am associated with no party now. I would vote on the issues as they come forward. One of the statements of the BC First platform was to eliminate party politics so all MLAs could vote as their constituents demanded and not what a party leader mandated. Seems right to me!
CHRISTOPHER MILLIN: I have always respected the Green Party for their beliefs and for the strides they have been able to make provincially and federally. However, I tend to have a more Liberal point of view when it comes to policy and direction.
DAVID O’BRIEN: Since I was of voting age (almost 40 years ago) I have voted for different provincial and federal parties based on the riding candidate, the party leader, different platforms, qualities and performance history. I fully understand some of the press and voting public’s curiosity to know one’s candidate’s voting choices. However, for me it is a private matter and privilege. I verily ask for and mutually respect our democratic right for privacy. It is for this reason I respectfully say, “Feel free to judge me on my professional life experiences, actions, platform and integrity.” I encourage voters to consider what I bring to the table as a public servant running for municipal office.
MAX PICTON: My vote has shifted between political parties over the years, often dependent upon the current party leader. I believe in many of the ideals from each party’s platform, though I typically find myself leaning more to the right of center in my own political beliefs.
MARIE PRIOR: Federally I would support Andrew Scheer of the Conservative party because they represent my basic views and generally, support lower taxes and less government control. Provincially, there is not a current party who either represents my views or I would support. Although I agree with many of the Green Party founding environmental principles, but do not support the NDP position.
KEVIN PROTEAU: I do not support party politics in any way, shape or form. At the end of the day, they are about towing the party line and don’t represent their constituents anymore. They represent and are guided by the big corporations that donate to their parties.
FRANK REGEHR: I will not say, as I believe that Penticton’s city governance should be non-partisan. Our city, which has a relatively small population of 34,000, currently elects its mayor and council on the basis of candidate platforms, rather than party association. This non-partisan approach to addressing Penticton’s social, economic and environmental issues is essential as we will seek funding and related support under applicable provincial and federal government programs.
KATIE ROBINSON: Municipal politics should have nothing to do with other levels of government. I have always tended to vote with the person I feel has our best interests at heart rather than a particular party. It is an interesting note that municipal governments have always been more accountable to the taxpayers than other levels of government for perhaps this very reason.
CONNIE SAHLMARK: I support the Green Party at both the federal and provincial level. In my experience, there doesn’t seem to be much change in policy or actions between the two major parties. The Green Party’s platforms are peer-reviewed and evidence-based with the biggest difference being the inclusion of environmental and social assets.
DARYL SANDERS: That’s almost a loaded gun question, but I will answer on both accounts. For the provincial level, I supported BC Liberals and not the current leadership and only because it is a joint party. If there was a BC Conservative party candidate, that would have been my choice. On the federal platform, again I would have voted Conservative.
JUDY SENTES: I don’t believe this question has relevance as, regardless of who is the governing party provincially or federally, the municipality must work in a spirit of co-operation with both.
CAMPBELL WATT: I feel my provincial and federal political views are irrelevant as it would make it seem I follow those views when making decisions on council. One of the greatest attributes at the municipal level is that you can view every situation using only its individual merits and how it best fits our city and not “the parties” stance.
Monday:What would you do to increase the stock of park land in Penticton?
Tuesday: A series of four questions begins for the candidates running for the school board (in Penticton, Summerland, and the rural position.)