Two former Squamish municipal councillors are stepping back into the field of politics, but, this time, they’re doing it in different communities.
Peter Kent, who served on council last term, is running in a by-election for councillor of the Town of Qualicum Beach.The byelection is being held, as Qualicum Coun. Adam Walker resigned to become the new MLA for Parksville-Qualicum.
Nominations for the May 15 election ended on April 9.Kent will be squaring off against four other opponents, according to Parksville Qualicum Beach News.
They are: Brian Denbigh, Sarah Duncan, Anne Skipsey and Jean Young.Jason Blackman, another former Squamish politician who served last term, has announced he’s running for the nomination as the federal NDP candidate in the riding of Burnaby North-Seymour.
Blackman made the announcement on March 31, in a social media post.“I am seeking this nomination because we need to send more New Democrats to Ottawa to protect our coast and deliver on a progressive agenda,” he wrote.
Some of the priorities he listed included implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); addressing the climate crisis; reducing inequality; providing high-quality public services and increasing affordability.The riding is currently held by Liberal MP Terry Beech.
