The race to decide who will be the next MLA in the Parksville-Qualicum constituency got a little more crowded this week with the announcement of a potential candidate for the B.C. Conservative Party.
Nanaimo radiologist Dr. David Coupland is expected to be the sole candidate for the nomination when the party holds its nomination meeting this Sunday in Parksville.
The 56-year-old father of three said he decided to run because the province needs a change from the seemingly never-ending, see-saw between the NDP and Liberals.
"I really sense that both parties have lost the public trust," he said in an exclusive interview Wednesday. "I think we need better government for future generations. We need to get our act together here and we can provide a terrific future, filled with opportunities for our kids."
Coupland was born in Edmonton but has lived in British Columbia for the past 30 years and on Central Vancouver Island for the past 16 years.
He said the timing was right for him to jump into the political fray.
"My family is raised and if I'm ever going to do this, now is the time," he said. "I've always been interested in politics, but I'm mainly doing it because I think we need better government for future generations. We need to bring people together."
The nomination meeting that will likely see Coupland annointed as the candidate kicks off at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre.