A former police officer who lost his leg after being struck by a vehicle at VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Ogden Point is running for the PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Party of Canada in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding.

B次元官网网址淚 decided to run in this yearB次元官网网址檚 federal election simply because I cannot vote for the other options available,B次元官网网址� said Ron Broda on Facebook announcing his candidacy. Since B次元官网网址榥one of the aboveB次元官网网址� was an option, Broda said he decided to offer himself as a B次元官网网址渧iable alternativeB次元官网网址� for voters, who B次元官网网址渓ike me, donB次元官网网址檛 like the other choices.B次元官网网址�

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Broda said in a later interview that he used to be a Progressive Conservative, before becoming disillusioned with the party in eventually joined the PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Party of Canada under Maxime Bernier, who founded the party after losing the leadership contest for the Conservative Party of Canada. B次元官网网址淗is values and vision resonated with me,B次元官网网址� he said.

Broda said he is running with the goal to restore trust between the political class and the public. He also expressed frustration with the current political culture. B次元官网网址淧eople seem to take offence at the slightest things,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that he would like to see an B次元官网网址渙pen and honestB次元官网网址� discussion about the issues without the risk of being mis-labelled.

But he declined to give a specific example of a statement that politicians would not be allowed to air in the public.

He also defended BernierB次元官网网址檚 criticism of multi-culturalism. B次元官网网址淲e are all Canadians regardless of ethnic and religious backgrounds,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a Canadian first and we should all be Canadians first,B次元官网网址� he said.

Broda is running against incumbent and federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think she has considered all the evidence related to climate change,B次元官网网址� he said, pointing to what he calls a B次元官网网址渟ignificantB次元官网网址� amount of evidence that contradicts prevailing scientific views on the subject. B次元官网网址淐limate change is real,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭here is no question about it.B次元官网网址� But if humans are having a effect, it is not clear if they bear full responsibility for it or if they are just one factor among many, he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 matter of degree.B次元官网网址�

Broda lost his leg in July 2013 after an SUV struck him while he was riding his motorcycle. Broda, who said he has no memory of the crash, later sued the driver of the SUV, claiming he had been deliberately struck. The driver received 60 days in jail and a driving prohibition of five years in October 2016, after being found guilty of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. In September 2017, a court upheld this sentence.

But thatB次元官网网址檚 not the only crash Broda has been involved in that has made headlines. In 2006, while driving an 18-wheeler, Broda struck a six-year-old walking on Blanshard Street. The collision left the boy with crushed legs and other injuries. Broda has publicly acknowledged the pain he has caused because of this incident.

According to his professional online profile, Broda currently works as a teacher and speaker, offering workshops, seminars, and other personal growth services.

Before this current career, Broda spent 14 years with the Vancouver Police Department, 14 years with the Saanich Police Department and seven years with the Canada Border Services Agency.

The events of 2013 loom large in BrodaB次元官网网址檚 profile.

B次元官网网址淭hat experience drove home to me how precious and uncertain that life can be. I have a much greater appreciation for living each day to the fullest. I have a greater sense of urgency to accomplish what I am meant to with my life,B次元官网网址� he writes.

Also running in SaanichB次元官网网址揋ulf Islands are Liberal Ryan Windsor, Conservative David Busch, and New Democrat Sabina Singh.

wolfgang.depner@peninsulanewsreview.com

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