Nick Loenen is a former Richmond MLA, who served in the Legislature from 1987-1991 for the Social Credit Party. Here, he discusses a few matters in the upcoming May 9 provincial election.
Nick, what is your general feeling about the upcoming election, in terms of favourites?
“Province-wide, it’s anyone’s game; it’s difficult to say. I don’t think the Liberals will necessarily pull it off. Sixteen years is a long time to govern. In terms of Richmond, this is solid Liberal. There’s absolutely no way they could lose these four seats; It’s striking; the NDP isn’t even close . . . in 2013 they were down to 26 per cent and slipping.”
If the BC NDP wins the general election, how important is it for Richmond to have an NDP MLA?
“I think it’s very important because the result will be royal neglect. It’s too bad that’s how it is, but that’s how it is. Look at (MP) Alice Wong of the federal Conservatives; we don’t hear from her anymore. If you have the ear of government, that’s critical.
There’s a sentiment Richmond may be too Liberal, and that’s why hospitals and schools aren’t being upgraded.
“That may be. None of these seats are really competitive at all. If there’s extra money to spend, they’ll spend it on ridings that are on the verge of going to NDP. Nevertheless, we have cabinet representation and an inside track. It helps.”
Do campaign donations influence policy?
“Very much so; money influences policies, there’s absolutely no doubt about that.
“They’ll deny it to the hills. Why else would corporations pay all this cash? . . . Why have we not been able to resolve affordable housing. Why? I’d say the real estate industry is very influential in government.”
Steveston doesn’t have a Conservative candidate as it did in 2013, when Carol Day took about 11.2 per cent of the votes. Where are those votes going in 2017?
“Carol Day in that past election was an outlier. The BC Conservatives, prior to that, registered one to two per cent. Day pulled that off largely on her own strength and reputation. That was a remarkable achievement. But it really doesn’t matter; Yap was at 52 per cent.”
How much does personality play a role in provincial voting? Will the Liberals take a hit in east Richmond without Linda Reid?
“Linda Reid contributes a little bit but no more than five per cent, at most. Through most democracies, the usual contribution the individual makes is at most three to five per cent. In some ridings that makes a difference, but in Richmond that makes no difference.”
Is Liberal support here a surprise if the province goes NDP?
“Not in our city, with the influx of Asian immigrants. They’re entrepreneurial, self-reliant. The BC Liberal brand resonates with them. They’re more concerned about jobs and the economy than social services. I’m an immigrant, but my roots are in Europe and that makes a difference when it comes to the role of government. Asians tend to look at government as only really playing a role in the economy.
“This community as a whole, regardless of ethnicity, is fairly well to do . . . The Liberal brand caters to this. Welfare rates haven’t been raised for 10 years; it tells you what their aiming is.
How important is it to have an MLA live in one’s riding?
“I don’t think it’s very important. It’s overrated.”
What is the most effective way to influence your MLA, other than money?
“I’d have to think about that. Party discipline is very strong. If you make noise it’s hard to see change. Look at the (Massey Tunnel replacement) bridge. My estimate is that there’s significant opposition to this project. Those MLAs are either silent on it or quietly defending it. But they haven’t taken up the cause of those who are against it . . . They might listen, but to get them to do something is quite difficult.”
