A local resident who is a student at University of the Fraser Valley has been nominated as the federal NDP candidate for the new riding of Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford.
Jules Côté was born and raised in Abbotsford, next to the former Cooper Farm on McMillan Road, which is the current site of a large housing development.
She is a member of the National Farmers Union and has volunteered with various organizations, including the food bank, the Starfish Pack Program and her church.
“I’ve seen it firsthand – too many folks working harder than ever, yet falling further behind. It’s not because they aren’t trying. It’s because power has been concentrated in the hands of a few corporations,” she said.
Côté said five companies control 80 per cent of the groceries that Canadians buy, four handle 88 per cent of our wheat, and two corporations make 80 per cent of our bread.
“And it’s not just our bread; it’s pork, poultry, beef, farm equipment, tools, seeds and fertilizer – all controlled by a few corporations that are squeezing families and farmers alike.”
Côté said in the last 20 years, 57,000 family farms and almost 15 million acres of farmland have been lost across Canada and replaced with “giant agri-businesses that put profits over people.”
She said one-quarter of B.C.’s housing is corporate-owned, including 16 per cent of houses, 36 per cent of condos and almost half of all rentals.
“And when corporate landlords own the homes we live in, rent goes up, evictions go up, and working people get squeezed out,” she said.
“But here’s the thing: This country wasn’t built by corporations, billionaires or speculators. It was built by working people, farmers and factory workers, nurses and teachers, small business owners and everyday folks.
“And it’s about time this country started working for them again.”
The current riding of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon is held by the Conservatives’ Brad Vis, who is seeking re-election in the new riding.
The next federal election must take place by Oct. 20 of this year but it is expected to be called before then.
