ROBERT CROOKS
Website: cpcbc.ca
X: @cp_bc
Instagram: @communist_party_bc
Political party: How long have you been a member?
I have been a member of the Communist Party of BC since moving to BC in January. Before I relocated to BC, I had been a member of the Communist Party of Manitoba for 5 years.
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
I do not live in the riding, but I have spent a lot of time in the riding with politcal work.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have been the Provincial Organizer for the Communist Party of BC since January. Prior to that, I worked in a youth-serving nonprofit agency in Winnipeg’s North End. For a time, I was also an English teacher for newcomers and refugees.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
The biggest issue is affordability. People are working multiple jobs, falling into debt, living in crowded housing, simply to make ends meet. No one should have to be living on the street, nor should they have to choose between food and rent - especially when they work a full time job. The response to these problems for far-too long has been to throw public money at private corporations and hope it fixes the problem. Unsurprisingly, it has only made things worse. We need policies that will protect working people from price gouging, speculation and the commodification of our basic human rights.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
During this election, I have been out in public, in front of libraries, grocery stores and on street corners in the riding, speaking with people about this election and the issues that are most important to them. As a long-time tenant organizer and peace activist, I am also out in the community on a daily basis, involved at the grass-roots level, interacting with people who have detailed knowledge of the problems facing our communities, either through their lived experience, through study, or through a combination of both.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
Within 4 years: Reinstate decriminalization; cancel involuntary care; implement vacancy control; replace “first past the post” with proportional representation; raise minimum wage to $23; expand union rights.
Within 8 years: Public healthcare to include optical, dental and pharmacare, and mental health; limit rents to %20 of income; retrain fossil fuel workers for green jobs.
Within 20 years: Cancel student debts; eliminate tuition; build a provincial transit system; protect Indigenous Nations’ right to self-determination over their land.
We’ll afford it by eliminating tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations; cutting subsidies to the fossil fuel sector; defunding the police.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
Negotiation and compromise are necessary elements of democracy. In my experience with building grass-roots coalitions, I’ve learned the importance of being patient and listening to others. The vast majority of people want the same things: homes, healthcare, a safe and clean environment, access to education, fair compensation for our labour. Conflicts can be overcome, but are often fomented to sow division. In addressing contentious issues, we may have to make compromises with existing social and political forces. We may have to educate people on our decisions. But our party will never hesitate to stand against bigotry, exploitation and oppression.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
The Communist Party of BC is not a top-down organization. The goal of our collective decision making processes is to determine what would most benefit the people in any situation. The conflict between a party and one of its members regarding what’s best for their constituents will only arise when the party allows itself to be compromised by interests other than those of the people. The policies of capitalist parties come into conflict with the needs of the people because they must protect the right of private corporations to profit. The Communist Party always places people’s needs above profit.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
I am not beholden to corporate interests. I am not a landlord. I have no stake in the real estate or extractive industries. I do not exploit the labour of others. I have been a grassroots organizer and community worker for half of my adult life. I am educated, but more importantly, I have real life experience with the issues faced by most working people. I did not become active in politics to advance my career or social status, but because there is a better way than giving over everything to corporations while people are dying in the street.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
A Conservative government would set our province back decades. Instead of taking this opportunity to present a people’s program that would benefit the vast majority of BC residents, the establishment “left” continues to drift to the right. How long do we have to keep settling for the lesser evil? Who will take on the big capitalists and address the needs of workers, the unemployed, the nationally oppressed, 2SLGBTQ people, the unhoused, women and all the oppressed and exploited people across the province? Our party’s policies are not only directed at voters but the other parties. There is a better way.
ABOUT VICTORIA-SWAN LAKE
New Democrat Rob Fleming has been the MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake for as long as the electoral district has existed (it was created in 2009) — and he never received less than 54 per cent of the vote. With his departure, the riding is without an incumbent candidate in this election.
Taking up the NDP banner is Nina Krieger, the former executive director of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre.
The Green candidate is Christina Winter, an office and business administrator, while the Conservative is real estate agent Tim Taylor.
Also running is Robert Crooks for the Communist Party of B.C. He is the provincial organizer for the party.
THE CANDIDATES IN VICTORIA-SWAN LAKE
The candidates this election are:
- Communist Robert Crooks
- New Democrat Nina Krieger
- Conservative Tim Taylor
- Green candidate Christina Winter
See the full list of Vancouver Island candidates here. We are posting the candidate questionnaires riding by riding.
ABOUT THE PROFILES
We asked readers what they wanted to ask candidates and used those answers to help shape our election coverage, including candidate questionnaires.
The answers are presented as submitted by the candidates, edited only for length if they exceeded the word limit they were given. We did not correct grammar, spelling or typos.
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