MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2012

FINALLY THE PEOPLE OF PORT MOODY-COQUITLAM AND CHILLIWACK-HOPE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE REPRESENTED – DIX

VICTORIA–New Democrat leader Adrian Dix today welcomed the news that the people of Port Moody-Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope will finally have a chance to choose who they want to represent them in the Legislature.

“Premier Clark held off calling these by-elections to suit her own political interests,” said Dix. “The people of Port Moody-Coquitlam especially have been denied representation for far too long.”

Both Port Moody-Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope have traditionally been safe Liberal seats, but the NDP is running strong candidates in Joe Trasolini and Gwen O’Mahony.

“Both Joe Trasolini and Gwen O’Mahony represent positive, real change, rather than more of the same from a Liberal government that is out of gas and out of ideas,” said Dix. “We are confident that given the choice, voters will conclude they can send a message to the Liberals that they want real change that works for families and the middle class.

“We are standing up for positive solutions to help people in their day to day lives, be it in skills training or in small business.”

Both O’Mahony and Trasolini have strong roots in their communities. O’Mahony works as a health advocate at a home for adults with developmental disabilities.  Trasolini served as the popular and effective Mayor of Port Moody for many years and has been a very successful business operator.

“Rather than address the real issues, Premier Clark has chosen to use personal attacks, multimillion dollar taxpayer funded ad buys and attempts to buy votes with government funding announcements,” said Dix. “The NDP will run a positive campaign that focuses on the issues that matter to working families and the middle class.”

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