Chris Kinakin’s tired of the same-old thing when it comes to B.C. politics, so he’s decided to jump into the fray as a candidate and create an entirely new political party.
To be dubbed the Working People’s Party, Kinakin is currently soliciting the 75 nominating signatures required to become a candidate for the Shuswap riding in the May 14 provincial election.
“I’ve got the $250 bucks to pay for the registration, but I need those signatures to get me on the ballot,” he says.
“I don’t like the Libs, the PCs or the NDP’ers. In my mind a vote for them’s just switching horse thieves. What we need in this riding is an independent, someone who is for the business, for the working people,” says the semi-retired long-haul truck driver who has lived in various places but was drawn back to the Okanagan Shuswap.
“I came here to pick cherries with nothing more than a pair of socks and a pension cheque and I’ve stayed ever since.”
Environmental issues are part of Kinakin’s platform. He has previously voted for the Green Party, and calls for air care programs, support for bicycle paths and electric hybrid vehicles.
He also rejects pipeline projects, saying tax dollars would be wasted, as demand for oil will drop as alternative sources of energy are used.
Kinakin wants to bring the focus back to working people with higher minimum wages and better benefits.
“I’ve been a working man all my life and now so many have lost jobs. We need to get those people back to work.”
He also supports reforms for those on social assistance programs.
“You try to live on $600 a month when the only places you can find to rent are $800 a month. That’s what it’s like out there.”
Anyone interested in supporting Kinakin’s quest to get his name on the ballot can contact him via email at kinc4n@yahoo.com.