Louis De Jaeger was acclaimed Monday night in Chilliwack as the federal Liberal candidate for the new Chilliwack-Hope riding.
"What I see before me is hope," De Jaeger told the crowd, as he stood at the podium to thank supporters and friends at the candidate nomination meeting at his restaurant, Bravo Restaurant and Lounge, on Yale Road.
De Jaeger is a long-time business owner in Downtown Chilliwack, with 35 years in the hospitality industry.
"My friends of political change, together we know something is happening," he said. "What we see in Justin Trudeau is what I see before me: hope."
He accepted the nomination to run as a candidate on the Liberal Party roster, but stressed his motivation was not for self-aggrandizing reasons or self interest.
"I accept this nomination on behalf of my community because we want better representation, better involvement, and a better outcome in decisions which directly impact our environment and the land we leave our children," De Jaeger said.
He will be running in the 2015 election under the Liberal banner in the Chilliwack-Hope riding, which has recently had its borders re-drawn.
De Jaeger grew up in a military family, and is proud of his Métis heritage.
The local business owner is involved as a board member on the DT Chilliwack Business Improvement Association, and Sto:lo Community Futures, and member of Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce, and chair of Chilliwack Barwatch.
De Jaeger's platform includes restoring Canada to be an "inclusive" society that cares about seniors, youth, veterans, as well one that cares about the thousands of missing and murdered aboriginal women.
"Canadians want a government that restores Canada to being the socially progressive leader the world looks up to," he said. "Canadians want a government that is transparent and accountable working for the betterment of our society not for just corporate interests, but fostering entrepreneurship, and helps small businesses succeed."
He is active in the Sto:lo community, and served last summer as corporate liaison for the Spirit of the People Pow Wow.
De Jaeger's speech gave a nod to the wisdom of elders.
"We create balance and harmony by treating one another with kindness and respect, and we must make the effort to learn to live together in a good way," he said. "We have not experienced this with the current government."
He ended his speech quoting Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who said: "The essential ingredient of politics is timing."
"Well my friends, I think it’s time," he said.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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