100 Mile resident Jack Hackett is the new kid on the block when it comes to provincial politics, as he has taken on the role of organizing the British Columbia First Party (BC First) in the Cariboo-Chilcotin constituency.
He got involved in provincial politics when he was a canvasser for the initiative against the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
While collecting signatures, Hackett says he heard comments similar to those he was feeling from people signing the petition.
“The common stream of comments was what options do I have, I will not vote for the Liberals and as long as Carol James leads the NDP, they will not get my vote either.”
He started to review the various political parties in B.C.
Noting there are many parties to choose from, Hackett says he was drawn to BC First.
Currently, BC First is being administered by an interim slate of officers until the founding convention, which is to be held in Kamloops on April 9, he notes.
Meanwhile, constituent development committees are being formed in each of the electoral districts, and that’s where Hackett comes into the picture.
“The party is being developed with innovative structure, policies and a plan to change the current system,” he says, adding this is what attracted him.
Following a great deal of contemplation, Hackett says he and his wife, Judy, decided to become members of the BC First.
The platform appealed to both of them, he adds, especially after identifying the opposing party structures that enforce each MLA to exactly follow party line and not the desires of the constituents.
Three weeks ago, Hackett says Sal Vetro of BC First, contacted him to assess his interest in becoming the head organizer for the BC First Cariboo-Chilcotin constituency association.
“I accepted the position, and my wife and I began developing an infrastructure to develop this constituency association. Garfield Lamb and his wife, Elsie, came on board and we are slowly moving forward.”
They need a minimum of 25 members to qualify for a constituency association for BC First.
Once that’s done, Hackett says the election of association officers will take place, followed by the selection of a candidate for provincial election or byelection (should there be a successful recall of Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett).
He notes they currently have seven people signed up.
However, Hackett says they have been sending people who are interested in signing up to the BC First website, so he doesn’t have current figures.
He has contacted BC First provincial spokesperson Chris Delaney to get updated figures as they come in.
Regardless, Hackett is confident they will get more than enough to form a constituency association in short order.
They are also looking at setting up party captains in Williams Lake and the Chilcotin.
Hackett says people can review the principles, policies, initiatives and press releases related to what BC First is all about by going to www.bcfirst.com, or by phoning the head office at 1-888-223-4778.
Locally, people can also contact him at 250-395-5310, or e-mail johndhackett@shaw.ca.
