The B.C. Liberal Party unveiled its top gun Wednesday ahead of the upcoming provincial election.
With voters listing crime as one of two biggest concerns, the not-so-secret introduction of former West Vancouver police chief Kash Heed, 53, gives the party arguably the strongest — and most outspoken — candidate on the issue.
He is running against New Democrat Gabriel Yiu and Jodie Emery of the Greens.
“We all know the serious matter of gang violence in this province,” said Heed, during a news conference at the Killarney Community Centre Wednesday. “I’m tired of these actions causing fear in our community.
“We must not only be tough on gangs, but also tough on the social conditions that breeds them.”
An Angus Reid poll in March found that the economy and crime were the top issues impacting British Columbians a month ahead of the May 12 election.
If the Liberals are returned to power, Heed — if elected — could be a strong candidate for solicitor general, the province’s top cop.
Heed, however, said he’s “not jumping the gun” about the possibility of becoming solicitor general and is concentrating on getting elected.
Attorney general Wally Oppal, the incumbent in Vancouver-Fraserview, is vacating the riding to run in Delta South where he lives.
