PICKING THE PERFECT PUMPKIN
GET READY TO RALLY!
Fall is here, and plenty of folks are satisfying their autumnal cravings by heading out to 3 Bar Farms / Page 3
Thirty-eighth edition of the Pacific Forest Rally held this weekend all around the Nicola Valley / Page 23
Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905
merrittherald.com
bcclassified.com
MERRITT HERALD FREE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
THE HUNT
FOR RED OCTOBER 39.5% David Dyck and Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
Although the Conservative Party of Canada suffered major losses in the polls on election day, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be stepping down as leader of the now minority Conservatives, Nicola Valley’s MP Dan Albas will be sticking around. He narrowly beat out Liberal opponent Karley Scott with about 40 per cent of the vote, compared with her 37 per cent. “I’m greatly honoured that the citizens of Central Okanagan — Similkameen — Nicola have voted in favour of myself and the Conservative platform,” said Albas to a scrum of reporters at his election night headquarters at the West Kelowna Yacht Club following his victory on Monday
Maximum Refund Guarantee* Open Year Round 2145 Quilchena Ave, Merritt, BC
250-378-4695
With over 70% turnout in COSN, Liberal challenger Karley Scott nearly torpedoes the second term of Conservative MP Dan Albas evening. He focused particularly on the message received from voters. “I’m a big believer in democracy, and the people are never wrong,” he said. “As disappointing as it will be for many conservatives and many other people who supported the Prime Minister’s vision — lower taxes and whatnot — this is Canada. “Canada is great because of our democracy. It’s great because we can respectfully disagree. That’s something that I think over the next few years we will continue to do. I fully intend that my constituents will be fully represented and the government is held to account.” Asked if he thought his riding would miss out from some of the economic benefits of having an MP who is a member of the party which forms the government, Albas responded that he
37.3%
has a track record of working across party lines. “The leader of the Liberal Party actually spoke in favour of [Bill C-311], talked about the great qualities — Mission Hill is one of his favourite wineries,” he said. “I do believe that when a good idea comes forward it shouldn’t matter which party or which candidate says it, we should be trying to take the best ideas. I have a track record of being able to do that.” Nevertheless, the red wave that crashed through Canada Monday night almost took the Nicola Valley with it. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals won 184 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons to form a majority government.
19.3%
3.9%
See ‘The red tide’ Page 5
THC: TOBACCO, HEMP, CIGARS & ejuice MUST BE 19+ TO PURCHASE
CIGARS // WATER PIPES // PIPE WATER TER FL FLAVOURS LA // PIPES // HOOKAH // SHISHA T-SHIRTS // ZIPPOS // VAPOURIZERS LARGEST SELECTION OF SMOKING GOODS IN MERRITT
OPEN 10-6PM 7 DAYS A WEEK
877.420.1116 FB.COM/KAMLOOPS420
1922 VOGHT ST, MERRITT, BC • 250.378.9686
SHOP ONLINE AT LEMONADESTAND420.COM