Bobby Deepak, NDP candidate in Prince George-Mackenzie – photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – A standing room only crowd of around 200 people turned out to the Coast Inn of the North today to see labour lawyer Bobby Deepak acclaimed as the NDP’s candidate in Prince George-Mackenzie.

This will be Deepak’s second run at provincial office – he ran unsuccessfully against Liberal MLA Mike Morris in 2013.

He promised if elected, to provide “a strong voice for the North.”

“We need an MLA that’s engaged in our community, whose door is open and is approachable.”

Aaron Ekman, secretary-treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour, speaks during today’s meeting

Deepak added that “average, everyday British Columbians” cannot afford another four years of Christy Clark.

“The economy isn’t working for everybody, it’s not working for the average folk. It’s working for those at the top – friends and insiders,” he said. “So, we need to make sure that the economy works for the everyday person – the working class and our small businesses. Christy Clark has been nickel and diming us with higher ICBC rates, higher BC Hydro rates and other taxes.”

Aaron Ekman, secretary-treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour, called Deepak “one of the strongest candidates the North has produced in a long time.”

“I’ve known him for a long time and I know that he understands, as well as anyone in this room, that when the North is doing well, when the working people are doing well, that our future is prosperous.”

So far Deepak and Morris are the only declared candidates in the riding.

The provincial election is scheduled for May 9.