Surrey North Riding Report

By Ted Gerk and Steve Jalsevac
  see 2-page PDF version at https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006_docs/SurreyNorthreport.pdf

5 political parties will be attempting to fill the riding left vacant in 2005 after the death of popular independent MP Chuck Cadman. The two traditional marriage supporting and pro-life leaning candidates are the CHP’s Kevin Pielak and the Conservative Dave Matta.

The Reform’s Margaret Bridgman became MP for the riding in 1993. Chuck Cadman was voted in under the Reform banner in 1997, winning over Liberal Clayton Campbell by more than 6,000 votes. In 2000, Cadman attracted 9,694 more votes than his nearest Liberal challenger. In the 2004 election, he was re-elected for his third term. Cadman was the only unaffiliated candidate to win in that election. The Surrey North MP died of cancer on July 5, 2005 while Parliament was still in session.

Election of any candidate in this riding is far from certain. However, the New Democratic Party’s Penny Priddy, who currently appears to be the front runner, received a boost when she was surprisingly endorsed by the Chuck Cadman family.

The Candidates and Life and Family Issues

Conservative – Dave Matta

David and his family moved to the Lower Mainland in 1977 and then to Surrey North in 1995. He met his future wife, Laura-Dawn Regular, at university. They were married at Laura-Dawn’s family hometown of St. John’s Newfoundland in 1999.

  David studied science at Simon Fraser University and psychology at Trinity Western University. He graduated with a B.A. (Honours) and an M.A. from Trinity Western University. He teaches a variety of courses dealing with children and youth at Stenberg College located in the heart of Surrey North.

Matta was expected to be an openlyÂpro-life, pro-traditional marriage candidate in the riding but, aside from a brief paragraph in a letter stating he considers himself to be pro-life, he has kept resolutely silent onÂstatingÂany specific positions on the various life issues. Matta has indicated, as directed by the party, thatÂhe believes doing so will harm his election chances. He, did, however,Âmake a statementÂon the marriage issue.

The only information available on Matta’s life and marriage positions is contained in a letter to potential supporters. He wrote:
Now let me tell you a bit about where I stand. I support raising the age of consent to sixteen years. I support the traditional definition of marriage and Stephen Harper’s decision to revisit this issue in the future. I am pro-life and pro-family.

Liberal – Surjit Kooner

Mr. Kooner is a recently retired teacher who has taught in Surrey and Langley. He was elected to the Surrey School Board in 1999 and proudly served as a School Board Trustee from 1999 to 2002.

Mr. Kooner told The Province’s John Bermingham he supported the incumbent school board’s refusal to approve three children’s books depicting same-sex relationships for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms. Explained the candidate: “I am against those books strongly…I would like to support the parents’ rights. Those books should not be taught at the lower grades.” Stand on same-sex marriage and life issues are unknown. Refused to respond to CLC questionnaire.

NDP – Penny Priddy

Elected MLA for Surrey-Newton in 1991 and re-elected in 1996. Served in the B.C. Provincial government as the Minister of Women’s Equality, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Minister of Labour, Minister of Children and Families, Minister of Health and Minister of Education.

While part of the NDP government in B.C., assisted with one of the most draconian crackdowns on pro-life protesting in North America. In 1998, Priddy tried to influence Health Canada in bringing the French abortion pill, RU-486, to Canada. Consistently rated as “pro-abortion” by Campaign Life Coalition British Columbia.

All NDP candidates must adhere to three principles when they agree to accept the nomination from their riding association. These include commitments to women’s “right to self-determination” with respect to “reproductive choices,” physician-assisted death “in certain situations” and same-sex “marriage.”

Green Party – Roy Whyte

Born in 1972 in our nation’s capital to a homemaking mother, and an R.C.M.P. father, Roy Whyte has lived in Surrey BC for twenty years.

Roy is a small business owner and security professional. He has worked for the R.C.M.P. and both public and private security agencies. Currently writing two books, Roy has seen his political writings published in both print and on the web. Whyte has yet to express personal views on same-sex marriage and life issues.

The federal Green Party platform calls for equal rights for all individuals regardless of “sexual orientation,” eliminating the causes of population growth by giving men and women “greater control over their fertility,” (which includes support for abortion) honouring and valuing sexual “diversity” and recognition of, and respect for, “sexual minorities.”

Christian Heritage Party – Kevin Pielak

1974: moved to Langley, British Columbia from Saskatchewan. 1992 – Present has been a resident of Surrey North. Married to Maria, has one child.

Memberships in: BC Teachers Federation -Couples for Christ – Knights of Columbus- LSA. Technology Teachers Association – Roman Catholic Church- Surrey-Delta Pro-Life Society

Pro-Life. Answered pro-life to all Campaign Life Coalition questions and answered that he would vote in favour of the traditional definition of marriage.