UNITY, POT PARTIES SELECT CANDIDATES FOR PENINSULA

Two more candidates-representing very different views-are readying
themselves for the looming provincial election.

The Unity Party, B.C.'s newest flag on the political landscape, held a
meeting last week to form a Surrey-White Rock constituency association and
name retired horse breeder Garry Sahl its standard-bearer.

Sahl, 52, a South Surrey resident, sought a school board nomination from
Surrey Electors Team. He lost that bid, but the experience motivated him to
take political science courses at Kwantlen College. He has been involved in
the Family Coalition Party, one of four parties (including B.C. Reform,
Social Credit and Progressive Conservative) involved in forming Unity Party
in November.

"I believe we need to have something different than we have right now,"
Sahl said.

"Political parties, when they get elected, they believe they have a mandate
to dictate to the people whatever they choose rather than have a
referendum on it."

The party is strongly against abortion and believes homosexuals should not
have the right to adopt children, Sahl said.

The party favours individual cash and land settlements with First Nations
people rather than collective treaties.

Sahl is the single parent of three children, aged 14, 18 and 22.

The Marijuana Party is running a provincial slate of candidates for the
first time, and has given the nod to Port Moody resident David Bourgeois to
run in Surrey-White Rock.

Although not a resident, Bourgeois said he is well known locally because
he's taught in the area for almost 20 years, including at White Rock
Elementary, and Semiahmoo and Elgin secondary schools. He works as a
substitute French teacher, and also teaches music from home.

Bourgeois said his main reason for running is to highlight the financial
benefits the province would gain if it "legalized what is already the
biggest business in B.C."

Marijuana decriminalization will be the main plank of the party's platform.

"It could probably be sold like beer instead of being sold out of your
local teenage drug dealer's house," Bourgeois said.

He said keeping pot illegal doesn't do anything to stop people from using
it, but does create a dangerous "code of silence" which means serious
crimes committed in connection with its growth and sale go unreported.

Bourgeois is willing to relocate, and said he'd make a good representative
on all issues.

"B.C. Liberals are basically big business. The NDP is big union. The
Marijuana Party is big people," he said.