Former Whistler mayor Ken Melamed is the new Green Party candidate for the riding that includes Squamish, heading into the October 2015 federal election.
Melamed beat out educator Michael Maser, of Gibsons, Thursday night (Aug. 7) at the final of two nomination meetings.
In an effort to accommodate all communities in the vast West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky riding, the first vote was held in Sechelt Aug. 6 and the uncounted ballots were brought over to Quest University for the second nomination meeting.
“I believe that we can win and that the Green Party is the only party seriously committed to serving its constituents,” Melamed said in an email to the Squamish Chief after his nomination victory. “Our goal is to save our democracy and to have Canada be a leader on the climate action agenda.”
At the meeting Thursday, Melamed was also named the Green Party of Canada’s new shadow cabinet critic for finance.
Melamed has said he was inspired by Green Party leader Elizabeth May to run for the nomination, and after his win she praised his experience and suitability for the post.
“With his strong leadership background and profound personal commitment to Green values, I know Ken will be a great representative for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country,” May said in a release.
Earlier in the day Melamed addressed issues specific to Squamish as he toured the Sea to Sky Gondola with May.
“If we think a little bit creatively we can find ways to create economic opportunity for the people who live here and celebrate, protect and conserve the natural assets,” he said. “This gondola is a fantastic example of how a group of entrepreneurs saw the potential of Squamish and capitalized on this beautiful view. Should we just be destroying it with industrial projects and heavy oil tankers and, God forbid, a catastrophic accident.”
Melamed said while the proposal to put a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on the shores of Howe Sound is one issue Greens are known to oppose, it isn’t his only concern for the area.
“One of the specific issues is LNG, but also, what is the future economy of Squamish going to look like as it transitions from a blue collar, industrial town to a recreation- lifestyle community? Tourism is now increasing in importance in Squamish’s economic viability and business model,” he said, adding Squamish businesses are realizing that they can both prosper and protect the environment at the same time.
Voters go to the polls on Monday, October 19, 2015. Melamed will face incumbent MP John Weston of the Conservative Party and Pam Goldsmith-Jones of the Liberal Party of Canada in the riding.
