Liberal-bashing New Democrat Adrian Dix says he can lead British Columbia to a better economic and environmental future after a decade of failed Liberal government.
The East Vancouver New Democrat made his leadership announcement Monday at an elementary school in his Vancouver-Kingsway riding that was slated for closure due to government education funding cuts.
Dix is the sixth candidate to enter the race to replace NDP Leader Carole James, who quit last month over a bitter ongoing caucus feud over her leadership style.
"It's great to be here in British Columbia where after 10 years of failed Liberal government, women and men continue to work and hope for a better economic and environmental future," he said. "Tonight, here with you my friends and neighbours, in the most diverse constituency in British Columbia, I am proud to announce my candidacy for the leadership of the B.C. NDP."
Dix is considered a heavyweight candidate who will seriously challenge the other front-runners -- MLAs Mike Farnworth and John Horgan -- for the party leadership.
Dix has a hard-won reputation of consistently and successfully badgering the Liberals at the B.C. legislature while serving as Opposition health and children's critic.
He is known for doggedly pursuing issues with a verbal vigour that are backed up by relevant information from a consistent source of leaks that arm him with facts the Liberals cannot deny.
Dix almost single-handedly forced the Liberals to admit early in their mandate that government cuts hurt their efforts to protect vulnerable children.
His questions about the government's failure to adequately investigate child deaths prompted the coroner's inquest into the violent death of Port Alberni toddler Sherry Charlie, and the subsequent appointment of children's watchdog Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.
Dix has also needled the government into making changes at the Health Ministry.
A top-level Health Ministry bureaucrat was forced to retire and now faces criminal charges in connection with Dix's persistent questions about how the government handed out contracts related to ministry modernization efforts.
But Dix, a diabetic who must inject himself with insulin four times daily, said he is most proud of convincing the Liberals to fund insulin pumps for diabetic children after a short debate in the legislature.
"In that case, as in many cases, the right decision in health care is the most cost-efficient decision," said Dix in an interview prior to his official announcement. "In the case of people with diabetes, frequently providing the right care initially, and giving support to people, prevents more serious consequences later on."
Dix said his candidacy has widespread support among New Democrats and within grassroots community organizations and the labour movement.
He said he is endorsed by B.C. New Democrats Harry Bains, Bruce Ralston and Sue Hammell. Federal NDP MPs Libby Davies and Don Davies, and former outspoken federal NDP MP Svend Robinson, are also among his supporters.
"His tenacity and resolve are amazing to watch," said one New Democrat. "He's got an extraordinary ability to make his case."
A potential black mark on Dix's candidacy relates back to the so-called casinogate scandal of the late 1990s that led to the resignation of former premier Glen Clark and foreshadowed the defeat of the NDP after a decade in power.
Dix was serving as one of Clark's chief powerbrokers when he back-dated a memo that said the then-premier told him he wanted no part of a casino licence application by a friend of Clark's.
"I made a mistake," said Dix. "I take responsibility for that. I learned from it. And in the last 11 years, I think I've had a real record of contribution to my community."
Dix said if he's elected NDP Leader he will get rid of the harmonized sales tax. He said he will actively campaign against the tax in the upcoming provincewide referendum this spring or fall.
He added he won't shy away from fighting the Liberals on their perceived strength, the economy.
"The B.C. Liberals have the worst economic record of any government in this province since the Great Depression," he said.
Dix said economic growth in British Columbia was three per cent during the 1990s under the NDP, and it is two per cent under the Liberals over the last decade.
Other New Democrats vying to replace James on April 17 include MLAs Nicholas Simons, Harry Lali and pot-activist Dana Larsen.
Five Liberals are also seeking to replace Premier Gordon Campbell in February.
Among the group are long-time Dix adversaries George Abbott and Kevin Falcon, who both held the Health Ministry portfolios and have frequently jousted with Dix.
Other Liberals running to succeed Campbell are former cabinet ministers Moira Stilwell, Mike de Jong and former Liberal minister-turned radio host Christy Clark, and former Parksville mayor Ed Mayne.
