Jeremy Smyth of Chemainus has announced his candidacy for the Conservative nomination in the new federal riding of Cowichan-Malahat-Langford.
Smyth said, "I have a vested interest in the future of this beautiful part of Vancouver Island and believe strongly that voters here deserve to be represented by a government member of parliament. For too long we have been on the outside looking in, electing opposition members election after election. It is time we had a direct say in the decisions of our nation."
He has lived on Vancouver Island for more than a decade, working in both large and small independent businesses.
Since 2009, he has been on the staff of Duncan Christian School where he is working in special education. With his wife Rita, he has been active in local First Nations business and education programs and in raising money and developing food and aid programs in the mid-Island and beyond.
Smyth said his Conservative roots are deep and "since coming to Vancouver Island I have been on the campaign teams of Norm Sowden and former MP Reed Elley." He also ran provincially as an independent in 2005.
Recognizing that the new federal riding covers a lot of territory, Smyth is a member of both the Duncan and Westshore Chambers of Commerce.
"I have a huge interest in seeing small and medium business growth in the riding to increase employment, capital ownership, and keep our young people at home," he said.
Other aspiring Conservative candidates in the riding include John Koury, a former North Cowichan councillor; Martin Barker, a chiropractor and Duncan city councillor; and Damir Wallener, an entrepreneur who ran for the B.C. Conservative Party in the 2013 provincial election.
