Ping Chan (BC Excalibur Party)
Making a bid in Richmond-East on behalf of the BC Excalibur Party is Ping Chan who is listed in his bio as a professional engineer. Chan left the Green Party before the election writ was dropped April 16, because he was uncomfortable with the requirement to undergo the "Greens'" media training, to "become an actor" prior to hitting the hustings.
"I was not even elected. What would happen if I got elected? I'd be a Muppet," quipped Chan. "That would mean I'd be working for the party, not the riding. That would defeat the purpose of being a public servant to the constituency."
On the issue of illegal dumping on farmland, Chan said he'd go so far as seeking imprisonment for those found guilty.
"Farmland is getting less and less. And we don't want to beg for food from Uncle Sam," Chan said.
"We should defend every inch of our good farmland."
He added agriculture in Richmond is vital given its proximity to other, large population centres such as Vancouver.
Seeking to cut down on government spending, Chan said he'd prefer a refurbishment of the Massey Tunnel rather than a new crossing over the South Arm of the Fraser River.
"The structure is still sound," he said. "We can retro fit it by closing one of the tunnel tubes on the weekends to re-line it."
He added that more thought needs to be given to incorporating rapid transit into the options the province has already presented to the public.
"That's the most green transportation," Chan said, calling for an extension of the Canada Line. "In the long run, it will pay."
On barging jet fuel and coal along the South Arm, Chan said he was wholeheartedly against any proposals, adding that while he is not a Green Party member, he still supported the ideals of party leader Jane Sterk. Since losing Chan as its candidate in Richmond East, the Green Party has yet to fill the vacancy.
Victoria Cross, the party's candidate coordinator said they still plan to run a Green candidate in the riding and have until Friday (April 29) at 1 p.m. to submit the paperwork to Elections BC to register.
