Lydia Hwitsum knew it would be an uphill battle when she was chosen to be the Green candidate for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford in the federal election.
She took her loss to incumbent NDP MP Alistair MacGregor in stride on election night when she realized that she just didn’t have the numbers to defeat him.
“I’ve never done this before, but my heart was in it for the Green platform and the commitment the party made to the community,” Hwitsum said to the approximately 30 supporters at her headquarters on election night in her concession speech.
“Elizabeth [May, leader of the Green Party] is still in there and we’ll continue our hard work for the Green Party. I may run again; I certainly wouldn’t put it past me.”
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Hwitsum, who served as chief of the Cowichan Tribes for eight years, is also a lawyer who had several federal appointments, including to the board of directors for the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, during her career.
She said while she lost the riding to the NDP, the Green Party across Canada continues to grow and build its strength.
“We need the Green Party to hold the government accountable on ecological and environmental issues,” Hwitsum said.
“We need a Green voice to speak for us. I really wanted to win tonight, but I knew it was an uphill battle.”
Kerry Davis, Hwitsum’s campaign manager, thanked all the Green supporters for their hard work during the campaign.
“We’re grateful for everything you did, including knocking on doors and everything else,” he said.
“It was a remarkable job and thanks to all of you.”
Green supporter Brenda Thorne said she hopes Hwitsum will run again for the Greens in the next federal election.
“I think she’ll win the next time,” she said. “I think she’s awesome.”
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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