The BC Green Party has nominated Rob Lyon as its candidate in the Parksville Qualicum Beach riding.
Lyon is a retired naval officer who now has a construction business, Pacific Passive House based in Cobble Hill, that focuses on building passive houses, homes that are energy-efficient and reduce carbon emissions.
“I have been a staunch conservative my entire life,” said Lyon. “I have been torn by my love of the outdoors and the economic stability the conservatives brought to government. This week my eyes were opened to the disaster that all political parties have become. The calling of an election for political gain in the midst of a global pandemic is just foolish and irresponsible. It was the straw that forced me to ask, ‘Just who am I anyway?’
“My conclusion was that in my heart I am as Green as they come. For 25 years I served in Scouting, introducing young men to the environment. I had to be true to myself and this is why I’m running as the BC Green candidate in Parksville Qualicum.”
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Lyon grew up as the son of a baker, growing up thinking of nothing more in life than going to work each day and eating cakes and cookies. But his real love he discovered in high school, physics.
“I went to university to study physics but switched to computer science and fell in love all over again,” he said.
He joined the Navy as junior officer where he put his computer science background to work as a weapons officer.
“For the next 20 years [I] programmed missile control systems, I was a rocket scientist,” he said.
When he retired from the military, he volunteered for 25 years serving in Cubs, Scouts and Ventures.
“I am one with nature,” Lyon said. “Scouting taught me the importance of preserving our environment. In 2004, I started building houses. In 2015, I started studying building science and in 2017 I learned about the Passive House standard. I had a new passion.”
Lyon said he plans to focus on the issues most important to the residents in the Parksville Qualicum Beach riding.
The PQB riding has two other listed candidates - Adam Walker running for the NDP, and Michelle Stilwell for the BC Liberal Party.
— NEWS Staff, submitted