Maple Ridge Conservative candidate responds to NDP criticism

BC NDP leader David Eby criticized Maple Ridge East BC Conservative candidate Lawrence Mok during a Sept. 24 campaign stop in Maple Ridge, accusing him of opposing the removal of American alcohol from B.C. liquor-store shelves and of failing to stand up to Donald Trump.

Eby made the remarks while announcing proposed legislation that would require government agencies to buy Canadian products for public infrastructure projects. He appeared at a trades training facility on 256 Street with Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows NDP candidate Lisa Beare.

Eby pointed to a July 21 BC Conservative Party release, issued while Findlay was party leader before resigning Sept. 20. In the release, Mok said Canada exports three to four times as much alcohol to the United States as it imports. He said British Columbians could boycott American products, but a government ban could invite retaliation. Mok said B.C. should seek lower or eliminated forest-product tariffs in exchange for lifting the alcohol ban, arguing that approach would protect B.C. jobs and industry. The release said the NDP imposed the ban without considering its consequences and that it may be one reason the tariff dispute has escalated.

Mok responded Friday that he supports keeping American liquor off store shelves until B.C. and Canada secure a fair deal with the United States. The BC Conservative Party, speaking on his behalf, said his criticism concerned the NDP’s handling of the ban, which it described as a reaction without a strategy. The party said Mok wants the ban used as leverage to obtain tariff relief for forestry workers and protect B.C. jobs. It added that Lorne Doerkson has said American liquor will remain off shelves until B.C. gets a fair deal.

No BC NDP MLA candidate has yet been announced for Maple Ridge East, and the BC Conservatives have not announced a candidate for the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows constituency.