Friday February 7, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
This morning Charles Borg hung out at Poncho’s Cafe in Langford for a few hours to chat with local residents about his campaign to become the Conservative candidate for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford (CML).
This is yet another of his meet-and-greet events in the community of CML which includes Langford, Duncan, the Cowichan Valley and other points along the way.
Borg connects readily and easily with people. He seems to become ‘best friends’ with people within minutes of meeting them. He listens carefully and communicates the Conservative message in context of his conversations.
He says that people are “ready for common sense government”.
Canada-US issues:
On a day when the prime minister was caught in a hot mic moment saying that Trump is serious about trying to annex (take over) Canada, Borg added his comments about Canada protecting its own interests.
He says the inter-provincial trade barriers across Canada should have been a “focus” before now. “After 10 years, now it’s talking point because US President Trump imposed 25% tariffs,” says Borg; in fact the topic has been brought up by various provincial leaders for over 30 years.
External pressure from Trump that has shifted Canadian resolve to protect our country will probably now move this issue along. Borg supports ‘buy local, buy Canadian’.
“Other national failures” in Canada include the border, says Borg, saying Canada has “dropped the ball in many areas”.
“Drugs are going into the US, but guns are coming up from the United States. Our problem or their problem, we have a problem,” says Borg.
“Let’s secure the border and end the drugs and guns and human smuggling,” he summarizes.
Borg supports legal immigration. His own family immigrated from Malta to Canada in the 1960s; he arrived in the 1990s.
Four applicants for candidate:
There are four applicants in the running to become the Conservative candidate in Cowichan-Malahat-Langford: Martin Barker, Charles Borg, Mike Harris and Jeff Kibble.
Candidate selection is scheduled for around March 8.
Current MP:
The Cowichican-Malahat-Langford riding has been held by NDP MP Alistair MacGregor since 2015; he is running again in 2025 seeking re-election for a fourth term. MacGregor often chairs the NDP caucus meetings in Ottawa. He worked on a brain injury bill that got unanimous support in the House of Commons.
The NDP currently hold six of seven federal ridings on Vancouver Island.
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NEWS SECTIONS: CONSERVATIVE PARTY | CANADIAN FEDERAL ELECTION 2025 | CANADA-USA