Township of 91原创 councillor Eric Woodward will run for the NDP in 91原创 East.

On Saturday, Woodward was acclaimed as the BC NDP candidate in the riding.

鈥淭here may be some in 91原创 who may be a bit shocked to learn that I have chosen to put my name forward with John Horgan and the BC NDP,鈥� Woodward said.

鈥淏ut it is clear to me who would be the best leader for BC during these times. When you look at the issues, whether it鈥檚 health care, education or affordable housing, or putting people before politics, our values align.鈥�

Woodward told the 91原创 Advance Times talks with the New Democrats about a possible candidacy started around the middle of August.

鈥淭his has been a lengthy discussion,鈥� Woodward said.

Woodward said the election is about who British Columbians trust to look out for them as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and that the choice is clear: it鈥檚 John Horgan.

Woodward added he was not impressed with the way Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson handled a recent controversy over buying ads in a 91原创 magazine that has drawn criticism for its stance on LGBTQ issues.

鈥淸Wilkinson] clearly can鈥檛 run a party, and if he can鈥檛 run a party, he can鈥檛 run a government,鈥� Woodward remarked.

He sees no need to step away from his council responsibilities during the campaign.

鈥淚 think I鈥檝e shown on council I can walk and chew gum at the same time,鈥� Woodward commented.

READ ALSO: Time to look at separate RCMP detachments for 91原创 Township and 91原创 City, councillor says

While Woodward was the second-highest vote-getter on council, he said running in a riding that has been Liberal for as long as 91原创 East poses a 鈥渟ignificant challenge.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 still an uphill battle,鈥� Woodward said.

鈥淚鈥檓 not taking anything for granted.鈥�

His campaign bio notes that growing up in 91原创, Woodward was part of the emerging internet industry at a young age, forming and selling several successful companies.

From 2005 to 2015, Woodward acquired and renovated the facades of several buildings in Fort 91原创 and completed the LEED Gold Coulter Berry Building in 2016.

Coulter Berry was at the centre of a drawn-out legal battle after some Fort 91原创 residents, complaining it was too big, convinced a judge in 2013 to halt construction.

The B.C. Court of Appeal later overturned the B.C. Supreme Court decision.

READ ALSO: 91原创 builder to transfer assets into charitable foundation worth $100 million

Before being elected to council in 2018, Woodward was president of the Fort 91原创 Business Improvement Association, and a director of the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation.

鈥�91原创 is my home, and I care deeply about its future,鈥� Woodward added. 鈥淚 know I can be a strong voice for 91原创 East in a John Horgan government, working for everyone and advocating for all of 91原创 鈥� not just people at the top.鈥�

Woodward will be running against another Township councillor, Margaret Kunst, who is running for the Liberals, and Green hopeful Cheryl Wiens.

READ ALSO: 91原创 Township councillor Margaret Kunst will be the Liberal candidate in 91原创 East

READ ALSO: Wiens named Green candidate for 91原创 East

READ ALSO: Ryan Warawa to run for BC Conservative Party in 91原创 East

The Conservative Party of BC has announced that Ryan Warawa, son of the late Conservative MP Mark Warawa, will be running in 91原创 East.

dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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