A retiree who promised to "get tough on crime and light on taxes" was selected to contest the upcoming provincial election for the BC Conservatives in Fort Langley-Aldergrove.
Rick Manuel surprised supporters of Nazreen Burns in taking the victory at the constituency's nomination meeting Wednesday evening (Feb. 13) at the Super 8 Motel in Gloucester Industrial Estates. There were about 30 of the constituency's 66 members who turned up to vote that night.
Burns is a long-time Aldergrove resident who is actively involved in the federal Conservative party and widely respected for her contributions to the Aldergrove community and high school.
Manuel, who ran as an independent candidate for councillor in the 2011 Langley Township elections, is a retired civil servant living in the Salmon River Uplands area.
Both candidates expressed similar messages of unhappiness with the 12-year reign of the BC Liberals and fear of a return to a BC New Democrat government this year. The two were allowed a five-minute speech each, and no questions were permitted from the floor, despite a request for such from one member.
Manuel said the current government "won't listen" and "is dismantling the justice system," and he called the TransLink governance system "dysfunctional."
"We are fast becoming a have-not province," said Manuel.
Manuel will be facing BC Liberal incumbent Rich Coleman and NDP candidate Shane Dyson in the May 14 provincial election.
Party leader John Cummins, who will contest the Langley riding in the election, was present but did not speak at the meeting. Also present as observers were the party's candidates in Abbotsford West, Paul Redekopp, and Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, Manuel Pratas.