BACKING NDP CAN STOP TORIES: CANDIDATE

Larsen, Wilson Joust Over Sitting MP's Decision To Join
Greens

Whistler - Local MP Blair Wilson took some more shots over his
decision to join the Green Party this week - this time from NDP
candidate Dana Larsen.

Larsen travelled through the Sea to Sky corridor Monday (Sept. 15),
giving interviews to media and talking tough about keeping the
Conservatives at bay. But Larsen saved his harshest criticism for
Wilson, describing his decision to join the Green Party as entirely
self-serving.

"I think it was a cynical move on his part," Larsen told the Squamish
Chief. "I think it was really to save his own political career. I
think he was looking for a place to go and I think he figured the
Greens were a party desperate enough to take him."

He said he thinks the move will cause the Greens to lose the
riding.

When reached for a reaction, Wilson said, "It's unfortunate the
campaign has started on a negative foot," and is trying to stay
focussed on his platform.

"That's the negative style of politics, but I'm trying to (maintain)
the positive message Greens are known for."

Wilson responded to similar comments from Conservative candidate John
Weston last week in a letter to The Question in which he called
Weston's comments "cheap shots" based on "unsubstantiated and untrue
personal attacks" made by others (see Letters section).

Larsen said his biggest challenge in this year's election will be
running as a first-time candidate against the Conservatives. He's
calling on all supporters to vote NDP as the best chance to stop the
Conservatives' bid for a majority government.

"I think it is really important to stop Conservatives from having a
majority," Larsen said. "I think a lot of people want anybody to
challenge the Conservatives, and I hope they see that in this riding
I am the person that can stand up to John Weston and won't just sit
on my hands and let them do whatever they want."

Although Squamish is traditionally strong NDP territory, Larsen said
he fears Ian Sutherland, the Liberal candidate, may be a possible
favourite in the corridor since he's already well-known as mayor of
Squamish.

Larsen said he's encouraged, however, since he believes the Liberals'
weakness in Parliament this year will translate into a weakness on
the campaign trail as well.

"I know (the Liberals) picked Ian Sutherland at the last minute and
losing Blair Wilson to the Greens is causing a bit of chaos in the
Liberal party," he said.

Gas prices and going green are the main issues Larsen wants to
address with corridor residents who, he says, play a large part in
his campaign strategy.

"Gas gouging affects everybody," he said. "We have to pay our bills
and feed our families and keep a roof over our head and I don't think
we should let corporations take things like that from us."

Larsen took the opportunity to explain NDP Leader Jack Layton's plan
to offer a monitoring system where an ombudsman would keep oil
companies in check. The NDP also wants to expand alternative forms of
transportation to commuters and force polluters to pay for their own
messes.

"We will use the taxes to help subsidize and transition to a more
green economy and a green transportation system," Larsen said.

Larsen didn't shy away from questions over his support of cannabis
and his previous role in the Marijuana Party. He points out that a
majority of Canadians support taxing and regulating marijuana, and
believes the number is even higher in British Columbia.

"Very rarely do I ever meet anyone in the riding where they say
'Marijuana is bad and they should all be put in jail!' I think people
are finding it a refreshing change of pace that someone is able to
talk openly about that and it is an important issue, although it is
not the only issue I stand for.

"That is why I joined the NDP, because I did not want to be in a
single-issue party. I wanted to be able to talk a lot of different
issues and address a lot of different concerns."

Larsen said he won't have a campaign office in the corridor, but will
rely on a Squamish supporter's offer of his house to serve as his
headquarters.

"It is a difficult riding strategically to decide where to put your
resources."

An NDP campaign office has been opened in the Sunshine Coast and
Larsen said he hopes to also have an office in West Vancouver.