Registered social worker Benjamin Olsson is the BC Green Party candidate in North Island. He hopes to bring his social work experience into provincial politics.
Olsson has lived in Campbell River for 16 years. He has been involved with the Save Simms Creek organization, supported the Campbell River Hospice Society and volunteered as a hockey coach while his children were playing.
He said he is passionate about social justice and protecting the planet.
Asked about the riding’s past two years, Olsson said he had trouble identifying any accomplishments during the last term.
“I have trouble coming up with many,” he said. “It would have been a great thing to ask the local MLA Anna Kindy if she would have shown up to the all candidates forum at the tidemark. Instead, she doesn’t want to show up and answer questions from the constituents.”
Olsson said accountability is important and argued that the NDP government had not followed through on a number of promises.
“We were supposed to have long term care beds and a new long-term care facility in Campbell River, that didn’t happen. Theres a lot of things in our area that there’s just no follow through.”
The Green Party candidate said he has been active in advocating for the local watershed and vulnerable people in the community.
If elected, Olsson said he would show up and listen to the public.
“We don’t have to have more broken promises, we don’t have to have an MLA that doesn’t listen, who doesn’t show up, who doesn’t care about what needs to happen in our beautiful north island to protect it and to protects its people.”
Olsson said affordability is a top priority. He pointed to the BC Green Party’s commitment to building affordable housing.
“We have an actual concrete plan,” Olsson said. “Housing is a huge issue here, has been for quite a long time. The green party is willing to step up and actually do something about it.”
General voting day for the provincial election is Oct. 24.
Keep visiting MyCampbellRiverNow.com and MyTriPortNow.com for more updates on local candidates.
