NDP Dix makes quick stop in Summerland

NDP leader Adrian Dix blew into Summerland for a few minutes before he was whisked away to Kelowna leaving behind cookies and clapping supporters.

The Vancouver-Kingsway MLA and a gaggle of reporters stepped off the campaign bus on Summerland's Main Street Wednesday morning. Dix visited a bakery and brought two plates of sweets to the NDP Summerland office and praised Penticton MLA candidate Richard Cannings before a small crowd.

Several reporters recorded Cannings, a biologist, imitate a barn owl's call before getting back on the bus with Dix who was headed to Kelowna.

Cannings said this election has been a "big eye-opener." Constituents have surprised him with issues. He compared campaigning to "a very intense university course."

"As a politician you are expected to know everything. I grew up here and so I really care about this valley. I thought I knew a lot about it until this happened."

People's expectations also change he said.

"As soon as you become a candidate it's like your an MLA. People come up to you with their challenges and problems. It's been a big eye opener."

One thing he learned is the NDP needs to support the fruit tree replant program which, he said, has suffered under the Liberal government. Cannings explained the province needs to help the B.C. fruit industry compete with Washington counterparts.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065 or tweet @shannonquesnel1