THE federal NDP on Wednesday named Vanessa Sharma as the candidate for Cloverdale-Langley City in the upcoming byelection.

Sharma has a long track record of advocating for access to health care and affordable housing and for action to tackle the climate crisis, the NDP said.

“I’m excited to have Vanessa join the NDP team,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “She’s dedicated to the fight to make life more affordable for everyday people. While Liberals cave to rich CEOs, and the Conservatives want to cut health care, New Democrats are fighting to make life more affordable for you by delivering dental care and cracking down on corporate greed. New Democrats like Vanessa are fighting for you, not for billionaires.”

Sharma serves as Equity Vice President at the Canadian Labour of Congress representing MoveUp, where she fights for working people. Additionally, Sharma works with FortisBC where she does community engagement across the province, and volunteers with several community organizations.

“[Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have let people in Cloverdale – Langley City down. They promised to make life more affordable, and they broke that promise,” said Sharma. “And the Conservatives have shown the people here that they don’t have a plan to help you. All they’ve got planned is more cuts. Cuts to health care, cuts to pensions, cuts to the services working people and our loved ones rely on.”

“But New Democrats will bring change. We believe that the government can and should work for you, not for the ultra-rich. If I get the honour of being your Member of Parliament, I’ll fight every day to make your life easier and to lower costs.”

Small business owner Madison Fleischer is the Liberal candidate and former MP Tamara Jansen is the Conservative candidate from this riding.