Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach has responded to the announcement of Ellis Ross as the Conservative candidate for the next federal election.
Bachrach argues that the Skeena MLA has hitched his horse to the wrong wagon.
The Conservative Party made visits to Terrace and Prince Rupert after Ross was announced as its newest candidate on Jan. 22, visiting Terrace and Prince Rupert, though Bachrach said he remains the best option for voters in the Northwest.
Bachrach called his rivals “Pierre Poilievre’s cut and gut team,” referring to the opposition leader’s plans to drastically decrease government spending if elected in the next federal election, which is yet to be scheduled.
“I’m proud of my record standing up for Northwest communities, protecting services people need, and getting results with programs like dental care. When you send New Democrats to Parliament, we fight for people and communities, not for oil and gas corporations or rich CEOs,” said Bachrach in a press release.
“It’s troubling Ellis Ross would throw his lot in with Poilievre and the Conservatives when they don’t have workable plans to deal with the biggest issues facing the Northwest — especially climate change.”
Bachrach has been MP in the region since 2019, though Ross, a well-respected leader in the Northwest, could challenge the NDP’s longs-standing stronghold in the Northwest.
Ross was announced as the Conservative Party candidate on Jan. 22 after serving two terms in office as Skeena MLA for the B.C. United Party.
Among the issues Bachrach said the Conservative Party is against are free dental care, a suicide hotline, a national school food program and a moratorium on oil tankers on the North Coast.
Backing up Bachrach was Rob Ashton, President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), who maintained his support for the NDP MP.
“Taylor doesn’t just talk or make empty promises, he consistently shows up for and stands with workers, instead of backing rich CEOs and bosses. He’s a strong ally of ILWU, and a good example of what we need in Ottawa,” Ashton said in the NDP press release.