Goldstream News Gazette - June 04, 2008
By Edward Hill
MLA John Horgan says he will run again for the provincial NDP, this time south of the Malahat in the new Juan de Fuca riding.
Horgan, who lives in the Luxton area of Langford, said the new electoral district will allow him to concentrate on one geographic region, as opposed to splitting his time between the West Shore and the Cowichan Valley.
Horgan's Malahat-Juan de Fuca constituency will no longer exist after the May 12, 2009 provincial election, as per recommendations made by the B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commission. The Juan de Fuca riding includes Langford, Highlands and Metchosin and stretches to Port Renfrew.
The Esquimalt-Metchosin district will also be gone, replaced roughly by the Esquimalt-Royal Roads riding populated by Colwood, View Royal and Esquimalt.
"It should reduce the travel time. I can focus on the challenges of growth in Langford and Sooke," Horgan said. "People want politicians to listen to what they say, and I think I've done a good job of that for the past three years. I'm offering myself up to do another four."
Horgan said he's making the announcement early so the Cowichan Valley will start thinking about candidates for its new riding.
For the West Shore and southern Vancouver Island, Horgan sees transportation as the No. 1 issue and health care as No. 2.
Establishing commuter rail on the E&N line and co-ordinating that with bus service to rural communities is critical for managing growth and greenhouse gasses, he said.
"Whether rural or urban, transportation is fundamental for economic and social well-being," Horgan said. "With the kind of density needed in Langford, that rail line is where to put people. The train should be the backbone."
He agrees with the Capital Region's regional growth strategy, which pegs Langford as an population growth area, and Metchosin and Highlands as remaining rural. He has supported such projects as the Spencer Road Interchange, but acknowledges rapid change has caused divisions and acrimony within the community.
"There are those who want growth and those who are frustrated that it's too quick," he said. "It makes sense Langford is the hub of that development. It saddens me to see previously pristine areas as parking lots, but the economic value is a net benefit to the community."
Horgan won his first term with 46 per cent of the vote, a seven per cent margin over the Liberal candidate. Both the Malahat-Juan de Fuca and Esquimalt-Metchosin ridings have a recent track record of electing NDP candidates, except in 2001.
Horgan said he obviously hopes NDP leader Carole James will form the next government, but is prepared to take on an opposition role again.
"I want my group to form government, but if it doesn't happen it's not the end of the world," he said. "It doesn't diminish my ability to serve the community."
