The civic election is weeks away and one Alberni labour group has already thrown its support behind specific candidates.
The Port Alberni District Labour Council has selected candidates in both the city and Alberni Clayoquot Regional District races.
For the city, the council is supporting Ken McRae for mayor and Jack McLeman, Hira Chopra, Bill Randles, Richard Pesik, and Myron Jespersen.
Of them, McRae, McLeman, Randles and Pesik are or were members of the labour council.
“They have values consistent with the labour council’s,” labour council spokesperson Leslie Walerius said.
The council is also supporting incumbent Patty Edwards’ bid for the Beaver Creek seat on the ACRD. Edwards is vying for the Beaver creek seats against Colin McLeman and John McNabb.
In Sproat Lake, Penny Cote is in a race against Derek Appleton to represent their area. The labour council isn’t endorsing either candidate though.
“Sproat Lake didn’t ask us for an endorsement,” Walerius said.
The labour council represents the interests of organized labour in the Alberni Valley and lobbies for such issues as raw logs, pensions, living wages and water.
The council’s membership is made up of the various unions in the Valley.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com