Election campaign season kicked into another gear Saturday as Independent Cariboo-Prince George candidate Sheldon Clare opened his campaign office.
Though the election was called in early August, Clare said it didn't seem right to really get things moving until after the September long weekend.
His new Redwood Square headquarters, at 1543 Victoria St., is ready to accept volunteers and – amusingly, since it's under a Cash Store banner – donations.
"We're trying to hit the ground running with volunteers and supporters to make sure that we provide real alternative for the people of Cariboo-Prince George and give them the opportunity to choose a voice that will not be beholden to a party whip," Clare told the handful of campaign faithful who attended the event.
Clare reiterated points made when he announced his candidacy outside of the party system in mid August, namely that he believes political parties are inherently flawed and that independent voices are needed to ensure the concerns of the riding are brought to Ottawa.
"I think it's a bad mistake to make an MP fit into a box and have to support things they know are not in the interest of their constituents or the things that they don't believe in themselves just to be part of a party so they can get something else out of it," said Clare. "Certainly compromising, negotiating is a part of the parliamentary democracy, but let's be realistic about making sure people vote in a way that reflects the needs of the constituents."
If elected, Clare said he would be in favour of what he calls flexible coalitions, wherein politicians can align themselves with others depending on the issue.
The most important thing he could do as an independent candidate is make sure the riding is not a safe seat for anyone, said Clare - including the incumbent.
"I don't want to have a free ride. I don't want to have people just blindly support me. I want them to ask hard questions and I want them to make me think critically about my answers," he said.
Clare's answers have been receiving national attention. As the head of the National Firearm Association, Clare's candidacy has garnered more publicity than would normally befall an Independent from northern B.C.
On Saturday, a team from Vice Canada tagged along to document Clare's kickoff and he's also received mentions from no less than noted Canadian scribe Margaret Atwood.
"I'm not somebody sitting in my mother's basement behind the computer with a bag of Cheezies," Clare said, acknowledging the extra attention has added momentum to his campaign. "I am well known; I guess you could say I'm a star candidate if I wasn't an Independent. It's helpful, it's very helpful."
Also in the running for the Oct. 19 race to represent Cariboo-Prince George are Liberal Tracy Calogheros, the Christian Heritage Party's Adam De Kroon, New Democrat Trent Derrick, Conservative Todd Doherty and the Green's Richard Jaques.
