TRURO, N.S. — Premier Stephen McNeil should immediately call a byelection to fill the gap left by NDP MLA Lenore Zann when she resigned to run as a federal candidate, some proponents say.
“He should call it tomorrow,” Matthew Rushton, a former Stewiacke town councillor, told the Truro News.
“These people have been without representation since she resigned in September. We need representation now.”
Rushton received 232 votes when he ran as an Independent candidate in the Cumberland Colchester riding during the federal election.
But the failure to garner more votes has not discouraged him and on Friday he announced his intention to run as an Independent for the provincial riding of Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, to fill the vacancy left by Zann, who won the vote for the MP’s position.
McNeil had previously stated that he did not want to call a byelection while the federal campaign was underway. A spokesperson for his office, when contacted the day after the election, said no decision had been made as yet on the timing of a byelection.
But Rushton suggested that a date should have been in place as soon as the federal election was over.
“We need representation now, with environmental issues on the forefront,” he said, in a news release announcing his intentions. “We need a voice before any vote to extend Boat Harbour, before extending tire burning or Alton Gas. The government is proving every day that they do not respect the rights of workers, teachers, health care providers, or crown prosecutors,” he said. “How long until they ban our right to strike? They tell us they are addressing the doctor shortage, all the while doing nothing to help.”
Scott Armstrong, who ran a close second to Zann for the Conservative Party also gave a shout out to the premier while addressing his supporters in a concession speech as the final ballots were being counted early Tuesday morning.
“I call on the premier of this province to call that byelection like he committed to do,” Armstrong said.
In expressing his support for Dave Ritcey, who will be running for the Conservatives when the byelection is called, Armstrong said it is imperative to have a riding representative in place to protect the interests of local residents on matters to be deliberated during the fall sitting of Province House.
“Premier, call that byelection so that Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River can have representation voting on important legislation that’s coming up,” he said.
Rushton said he plans to run as an Independent candidate because he doesn’t agree with party politics.
“I think you should be able to represent the people and not the party leader,” he said.
His desire to run for political office stems from “seeing people suffer,” Rushton said.
“I want things to change. I want life to be better.”
And, instead of being hampered by sitting as an Independent (should he be elected), Rushton said he believes it would actually give him more leverage.
“You can work with every party as opposed to just having to work within your caucus,” he said.
Another area of concern in which he believes change should occur includes dealing with accessibility challenges within the community.
“I will work with municipal, provincial and federal officials to address these concerns, and fix the issue, he said. “I will work to increase the amount of disability income, and lower taxes for people on pensions and lower incomes. I will fight to make sure our First Nations citizens have a voice and it is heard. I will address the doctor shortage, and also address the fact that our children are the most likely to grow up in poverty, and that First Nations children are three times more likely then (sic) any other group to live in poverty.”
