Early Sunday afternoon New Democrat members packed the auditorium at the Shatford Centre to elect the “runner” for the party in the Penticton area. David Finnis and Dick Cannings were the two NDP choices each running for the nomination.

192 persons voted and Richard (Dick) Cannings was announced the winner to much applause. Pictured with Marji Basso.

Dick is a very well known naturalist and bird specialist. Dick was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley where he had an early involvement in birds, bugs and plants that led him to a career as a naturalist and biologist. He currently works for Bird Studies Canada, coordinating Christmas Bird Counts, the eBird program and the British Columbia Owl Survey.

He has written a number of books, among them The Birds of the Okanagan Valley, The BC Roadside Naturalist, The Rockies, a Natural History, as well as Birds of Southwestern British Columbia. He has produced regular radio programs on natural history themes for CBC and teaches courses on birding and nature.

Cannings has been associated with the Green Party and the hope is that his candidacy will bring those on the left of center closer together to defeat the Liberal Party. Liberals have nominated Dan Ashton, Mayor of Penticton. NDP leader Adrian Dix says results of the last election, the New Democrats and the Green Party got more than 50 per cent of the vote combined in this local riding.

The campaign begins.