In 1866 the 17-year-old British colony of Vancouver Island officially ceased to exist thanks to a forced merger with the mainland colony of British Columbia.

In 1878, seven years after joining confederation, B.C. voted to leave Canada in frustration over failed federal promises tied to the Island.

The threat proved empty and the promises remain partially unfulfilled, but a century and a half later, a small group of Vancouver Islanders led by a Harvard-trained economist aims to right that wrong, and, in the process, make the Island CanadaB次元官网网址檚 11th province.

The officially launches tomorrow with the goal of protecting and enhancing the IslandB次元官网网址檚 economic, environmental, social and cultural identity by leaving B.C. and applying to join confederation as an independent entity.

Led by Robin Richardson, a former MP in Joe ClarkB次元官网网址檚 Conservative government, the VIP intends to field candidates in all 14 Island ridings in the 2017 provincial election and .

B次元官网网址淧opulation-wise we are larger than three provinces and all three territories,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. B次元官网网址淏eing a province gives us a lot more control.B次元官网网址�

According to the VIP leader, the primary issues facing Islanders are climate change, federal and provincial government indifference, and economic, environmental and social injustice. The solution, he said, is self-determination.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been largely ignored by the both the federal and provincial governments,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e would be much better off. WeB次元官网网址檇 be Island-first and proud of it.B次元官网网址�

At the moment, the party has no connection to the deliberately non-partisan launched a few years ago by the Vancouver Island and Coastal Conservation Society.

VIprovince spokesperson Laurie Gourlay was unfamiliar with the VIP prior to being contacted by Black Press, but obviously intrigued with its mandate and the fact it hopes to build on the federal and provincial petitions he launched in 2013 requesting provincehood.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 pleased to see itB次元官网网址檚 garnered that kind of interest and has this goal,B次元官网网址� Gourlay said. B次元官网网址淎s we see it, Vancouver Island is coming of age and itB次元官网网址檚 a natural progression. ItB次元官网网址檚 kind of exciting, but I am hesitant and have to be careful.B次元官网网址�

Perhaps reflecting the Island itself, the VIP platform is an interesting mishmash of ideas pulled from different ends of the political spectrum.

B次元官网网址淭he Vancouver Island Party is centrist in nature,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. B次元官网网址淲e are fiscally responsible, socially progressive and environmentally green. We welcome all VanIslers, irrespective of their former political affiliation.

B次元官网网址淧eople from all walks of life should find an appeal in our philosophy.B次元官网网址�

Given that the platform was drafted largely by a former economist for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation who also happens to be a Christian minister, it should be no surprise that , fiscal conservatism and family values play prominent roles. A flat tax is on the table. Tax relief for the middle class and competitive business taxes are promised.

But the vision statement also carries a broad green streak with a commitment to sustainability and social justice. Preferential hiring policies for Vancouver Island residents, buy and grow local incentives, increased investment in public transportation, renewable energy programs, guaranteed annual incomes, a shift from resource extraction to value-added manufacturing, marine and groundwater protection, and cheap or free post-secondary education directives are also in place.

Democratic reform also factors into the plan, including proportional representation, recall laws and a shifting of power from the capital to local and regional governments. Some of the touchier local issues like marine oil tankers and old growth logging could be addressed through planned direct citizens initiatives.

Right now, the party is small, basically consisting of Richardson and a handful a like-minded Islanders, none of whom has a prominent public profile. Their goal is to change that with a recruiting drive over the next few months. Members intend to actively approach local government. community and First Nations leaders and have a team in place by November.

Ideally, voters give the party a presence in the next legislature, which could convince the next government to put the issue on the ballot for 2021.

B次元官网网址淲e hope to be perceived as well-rounded and serious,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 want to be perceived as a fringe party.B次元官网网址�

He plans to reach out to the VIprovince group in the near future to share ideas, piggyback on the existing petition initiative and see how they can work together.

GourlayB次元官网网址檚 initiative had some small successes recently with a decision by the B.C. government to temporarily fly the Vancouver Island flag at the legislature a few weeks ago, and a letter earlier this year from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledging the IslandB次元官网网址檚 heritage as a separate colony.

He said the reaction from Islanders has been mixed to separation: about one-third in favour, one-third opposed and one-third indifferent. Without making any political endorsement of the VIP, he welcomes the fact that it will get people talking.

B次元官网网址淚 support the idea being discussed. WeB次元官网网址檝e seen a vacuum as far as the idea being discussed,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e are looking at it as a means of opening up a dialogue,B次元官网网址�

More on the VIP plan

What the province of Vancouver Island would want from Canada as the terms for it joining confederation is spelled out in the partyB次元官网网址檚 statement of guiding principles:

B次元官网网址� A bridge connecting the Island to the mainland

B次元官网网址� 12 MPs and 10 senators

B次元官网网址� free or reduced-rate ferries

B次元官网网址� payment of the IslandB次元官网网址檚 share of the B.C. debt

B次元官网网址� seawall and dike infrastructure to protect against climate change

B次元官网网址� a commitment to maintaining the existing military bases

B次元官网网址� New light-rail systems for greater Victoria, the Nanaimo area, and the Comox Valley, plus reinvestment in the E&N, including an up-Island extension

B次元官网网址� A highway connecting the Alberni/Bamfield area to the south Island via Cowichan Lake

B次元官网网址� A Port Alberni shipping hub

B次元官网网址� source vanisleparty.com

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