The least surprising news from the past week is that a federal election has been called.
Mark Carney, who became Canada’s 24th prime minister on March 14, asked Governor General Mary Simon on Sunday, March 23 to dissolve parliament, which she agreed to do. Election day has been set for Monday, April 28.
The following candidates have declared their intention to run in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding:
• David Beckham, for the Liberal Party of Canada; davidjamesbeckham.ca/
• Raymon Farmere, for the People’s Party of Canada; peoplespartyofcanada.ca/candidate/raymon-farmere
• Elizabeth May, incumbent, for the Green Party of Canada; greenparty.ca/en/candidate/elizabeth-may
• Cathie Ounsted, for the Conservative Party of Canada; votecathie.ca
• Colin Plant, for the New Democratic Party of Canada; colinplant.ndp.ca/
People should visit the elections.ca website for information on voter eligibility and registration, as well as voting-by-mail opportunities. Those who are already registered to vote should receive voter registration cards in the mail by April 11.
An all-candidates debate, co-sponsored by the Salt Spring Forum and the Driftwood, is in the works.