Same riding, different parties: Dale Parker to run in Nanaimo-Gabriola for the BC Conservatives (Conservative Party of BC)

By Ian Holmes

shuffling the deck

New Conservative candidate named for Nanaimo-Gabriola

Sep 3, 2024 | 2:35 PM

NANAIMO — A new contender is in place to challenge a local cabinet minister to represent the Nanaimo-Gabriola riding in the upcoming provincial election.

The Conservative Party of BC announced on Tuesday, Sept. 3 that Dale Parker had been nominated to serve the party, replacing the recently punted Viraat BK Thammanna.

Parker was previously the riding’s BC United candidate.

“I can appreciate this is difficult for him (Thammanna), but I know he has worked hard for the Conservative party and I would love to have him on our team and I would love his support,” Parker told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Parker, a 56-year-old who resides in Mill Bay, said he wasn’t completely sold on joining the BC Conservatives, stating he was concerned about some extreme views expressed by party candidates.

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In particular, Parker pointed to the conduct of newly ousted Prince George area conservative candidate Rachael Weber.

Accused of spreading various conspiracy theories online, including Weber’s stance that 5G cell towers are “genocidal weapons” which caused the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parker called Weber’s take on 5G ludicrous.

“I’ve been in information technologies for over 30 years. Conspiracy theories don’t really sit well with me and it’s frankly just nonsense what she was saying,” Parker said, who stated the provincial conservatives and BC United are aligned on a vast majority of policies.

Despite being a resident of the southern edge of the Cowichan Valley, Parker said he’s committed to addressing the many key challenges in the Nanaimo-Gabriola island area, including healthcare, the cost of living and public safety.

Parker’s nomination to the Conservatives followed a seismic shift on the provincial political scene last week when fledgling BC United leader Kevin Falcon suspended the party’s campaign to avoid a vote split which would benefit the governing New Democratic Party.

A review of BC Conservative candidates was agreed upon to reinforce key ridings.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 3, the Conservative Party of BC has candidates in place in 83 of the province’s 93 ridings, according to its website.

The Nanaimo-Gabriola Island riding is currently held by incumbent MLA and social development and poverty reduction minister Sheila Malcolmson.

Shirley Lambrecht, representing the BC Green Party is the other candidate on the riding’s ballot.

General election day is Saturday, Oct. 19.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian.holmes@pattisonimedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes