Members of the NDP’s Kootenay-Columbia Federal Riding Association gathered in Cranbrook on the weekend to select former Invermere Mayor
Mark Shmigelsky to represent them in the next federal election.
Shmigelsky, who is considered by party insiders as a candidate with wide appeal beyond partisan boundaries, received a strong mandate proving that members are ready to take back this riding for the NDP, said a party statement announcing his selection.
“Winning back this riding will be a huge task,” said Shmigelsky in his acceptance speech. “But it is one that excites me. And if we are to regain a voice in this riding, we must have a candidate that can draw votes from across the political spectrum.”
Shmigelsky, a former federal Liberal, has a considerable political track record that includes 15 years in local government where he was known to be a fighter and a forward thinker.
“Our current MP, Jim Abbott, lost his voice the moment Stephen Harper became his Leader. The Prime Ministerʼs Office has total control from shutting down parliament to avoid the issues to controlling every word that an MP says,” he said.
“In this riding, we have lost our voice in Ottawa and I am determined to get it back. I am determined to bring back a sense of real democracy and to make it possible for citizens of this riding to actually participate in it.”
Shmigelsky will begin to travel throughout the riding in preparation for the upcoming federal election. Those who are interested in volunteering on Shmigelskyʼs campaign are encouraged to contact him by email at markyrballot@gmail.com.
