Skip to content

ELECTION 2015: Former Tory MP endorses Surrey Liberal candidate

Surrey Centre: Dona Cadman says Trudeau 'doing an amazing job so far,' figures party will cut her loose after endorsement
85028surreynowCadman
Former Tory MP Dona Cadman

SURREY — Ouch.

Former Surrey Conservative MP Dona Cadman is trading blue for red, endorsing Liberal MP candidate Randeep Sarai in the contest for Surrey Centre.

Cadman served as MP for Surrey North from 2008 to 2011, the same riding her husband Chuck represented as a Reform, Canadian Alliance, Conservative and finally Independent MP. The couple entered politics after lobbying for justice reform following the murder of their son Jesse in 1992.

Cadman said she's endorsing Sarai because he shares her concerns about crime.

"He's got vision," she said. "For Surrey Centre, he is the best candidate."

Cadman said she is endorsing Sarai rather than the Liberal Party, but added, "I think Trudeau is doing an amazing job so far.

Cadman said the "Conservatives have become the party they were against when they first came in.

"It isn't the same party I joined with," she said. "I don't like negative ads."

Cadman said she still has her Conservative membership card but figures the party will "cut me loose.

"I imagine right now I am an independent," she said of her politics.

Sarai said he's "very humbled and honoured to have her endorsement."

Conservative candidate Sucha Thind could not be immediately reached for comment.

Cadman said crime is the number-one issue facing Surrey residents.

"We need a government that is willing to look at the root causes of crime; that is willing to support those who are building intervention programs; that is supportive of those fostering rehabilitation and working to stop crime before it happens," Cadman said. "For these reasons, I strongly support Randeep Sarai and the Liberal Party platform on crime and prevention."

As far as the Conservatives' record, she said, "at this point, I don't feel comfortable with much of what is being done and even less of how it is being done.

"At this point," she said, "I feel change is needed to move our country forward. To date, Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party have stayed incredibly positive in their campaign messaging. A country is well served if the right people are given the right opportunity at the right time."

tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com



About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
Read more