TRADING ONE 'GREEN' FOR ANOTHER GREEN

He's switching one green party, so to speak, for another.

Chilliwack resident Norm Siefken, who has run provincially and federally for
the Marijuana Party, will attempt to best Chilliwack-Sumas [Liberal] MLA
John Les under the Green Party of B.C. banner come May 17.

The provincial election writ is to be formally dropped today in Victoria,
which means British Columbians will likely be exposed to more commercials,
politicking and campaigning in the weeks leading up to vote day.

And Siefken is looking forward to all of it.

"I like getting out there, meeting people and participating in the debates,"
Siefken said. "I'm here to hold the government accountable."

As for the switch from Marijuana to Green, Siefken noted the Green Party
platform includes support for the legalization of marijuana and said he
agrees with all of the Green Party policies.

"It's certainly not a one-issue party," Siefken said. "The Green Party has
always put the interests of people before corporations."

An X-ray technician at several Lower Mainland hospitals, Siefken has been a
front-line health-care worker for 27 years and doesn't like what he sees
happening under the Liberal government.

"There's been a decline in the health-care system over the last four years,"
Siefken said. "I think a lot of people are very angry with the B.C. Liberals
right now, especially the elderly who are deciding whether to buy groceries
or medication, thanks to the PharmaCare cuts."

But Siefken's largest concern is the proposed Duke Point power project,
where a Vancouver Island power station would be fuelled by underwater gas
lines.

"This is a mirror images of SE2," Siefken said. "Studies show that all of
the smog and pollution from Duke Point will end up in the Fraser Valley
airshed and the last thing we need right now is another SE2."

Siefken said he and his party will put health care first, even above debt
repayment. He is also concerned with the decline in salmon runs and said his
party will phase out all fish farms in B.C., should he be elected. He wants
to see controls set on how people generate electricity and added personally,
he wants to see free post-secondary education offered to students.

Siefken said the Green Party operates under a triple bottom line, looking at
the financial costs, environmental impact and community input before making
a decision.

"I take exception to what I call a myth-that the B.C. Liberals are these
really great financial managers. The truth is, the provincial debt has gone
from $26 billion to $35 billion since the Liberals came in," said Siefken.
"We have nothing to show for this debt except a broken health-care system."