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Chamber hosts defeated MP candidate

It seems the campaign to represent West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country in Ottawa never stopped for Conservative Party candidate of record John Weston.

It seems the campaign to represent West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country in Ottawa never stopped for Conservative Party candidate of record John Weston.

And with the presumed clout the Conservative contender wields, business constituents in this Liberal-held riding appear willing to listen to him.

The Squamish Chamber of Commerce hosted Weston as its guest speaker during the monthly Chamber luncheon at Pepe and Gringo's Tuesday (May 16), and he arrived to a full house.

"He'll be fresh off a briefing with cabinet ministers in Ottawa and hopes not only to speak but to hear from Chamber members concerning our priorities so he can relay those things to the new government," stated the Chamber news release.

Weston said he will renew his attempt at representing the riding in the next election he anticipates to happen within a year. He said he's happy to hear that local businessman and former councillor and mayoral candidate Paul Lalli intends to make a bid for the riding's Conservative nomination.

"I'm looking forward to a lively debate," he said. "The more the merrier."

Weston made it apparent that he has the attention of high-profile Conservatives and said he will join Harper's parliamentary secretary, Sylvie Boucher, on a visit to West Vancouver May 26 and 27.

Weston made a few light-hearted jokes at the expense of MP Blair Wilson and other high profile Liberal leaders before launching into a recap of the past 100 days of Stephen Harper's Conservative reign.

Weston spoke in glowing terms, and touched on many of the Conservatives pet issues including the formation of closer ties with the U.S., which he said resulted in the resolution of the softwood lumber dispute.

"We can ply our course in international affairs, which better relations with the U.S. facilitates," he said.

Weston said he has stuck to his theme of principles - even when faced with a controversial private member's bill regarding the funding of the treatment of autism - by proposing a national disabilities savings plan, which is now in the budget.

He also said he continues to serve Squamish residents by bringing up CN's financial obligations in last summer's Cheakamus River spill to the policy makers in federal government. Weston touched on run of river licensing processes and celebrated the federal government's "businesslike manner" in sifting applications through four authorities.

Despite the recently announced federal budget showing no Olympic funding, Weston said he wants to see the Olympics play a more important role. Squamish needs to be more involved in the planning process, he said.

Weston also lauded Harper for his efforts so far.

"He's enjoying the job way more than Leader of the Opposition," he said.

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