West Vancouver’s federal Liberals are fielding 33-year-old lawyer Patrick Weiler as their candidate in this fall’s general election
The West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country Liberals announced Weiler’s nomination Thursday morning.
“I’m quite concerned about a lot of the way the world is turning right now and the complicated issues that we have to deal with these days – especially things like the existential threat of climate change, the imperative to make life more affordable for Canadians and to position Canada to benefit in the 21st century economy,” he said, “And I believe the Liberal party has a really well developed strategy in each of those areas.”
Like his Conservative opponent, Weiler lives in North Vancouver (though he’s currently staying in Ambleside while his building undergoes fire damage repairs). But he has roots around the riding. He grew up dividing his time between his father’s Ambleside home and his mother’s on the Sunshine Coast.
“This will always be my home,” he said.
The Sentinel Secondary grad went to McGill University and UBC Law, where his focus was environmental law.
In his career, he taught about sustainable energy in Shanghai, worked on special projects for the United Nations development program, practised environmental and Aboriginal law at North Vancouver firm Ratcliff & Co., and, most recently, he has been working for the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute where he advised governments in Africa and Latin America on mining policy. That is, in part, what led him into politics, he said.
“I’ve worked the majority of my career in public policy – working with legislation, sometimes fighting legislation – and I see the importance and the need to have effective government that people trust in,” he said.
Weiler will replace outgoing Liberal MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones on the ballot. Goldsmith-Jones announced in May that she would not seek a second term.
The Conservatives have nominated former West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce president Gabrielle Loren to run for them. Dana Taylor is taking a second crack at winning the seat for the Green Party. New to the scene is People’s Party of Canada candidate Robert (Doug) Bebb. The NDP has yet to announce a candidate.
Weiler conceded his competition has a head start on campaigning in the swing riding, but he says the Liberal Party has an energetic team of volunteers that have been out door-knocking for the party for months.
“Really, the next two months is going to be a sprint and we’re all really excited by the challenge,” he said. “It’s a swing riding. It’s up for grabs.”
