Longtime political and social activist – and medical-cannabis advocate – Joy Davies has been chosen South Surrey-White Rock candidate for the Liberal party in October's federal election.
Her nomination was confirmed following a vote at a riding meeting Saturday at White Rock Community Centre.
"We're really excited about it and ready to go for the next election," riding association president Ginny Hasselfield told Peace Arch News Monday.
The green light to represent the party on the Semiahmoo Peninsula had been sought by both Davies – who has been campaigning to run for the Liberals since last year– and philanthropist-fundraiser Dr. Peter N. Njenga.
Following the vote, Davies congratulated Njenga on his hard work and welcomed his team to join her campaign.
A former Tumbler Ridge and Grand Forks councillor, Davies, who describes herself as "a mom and a grandmother," is a White Rock resident.
She is well known for her advocacy for medical cannabis use, as former director of government relations for the Canadian Medical Cannabis Partners Society.
Vancouver-born, and educated in B.C. and Toronto, Davies has held management positions in several corporations and has been the creator, owner and operator of a number of businesses. She was also the former head of the entrepreneurial department at Vancouver Community College.
In her profile on a Facebook page seeking support for her nomination, Davies attacks Conservative representation in the riding over the last decade.
"I believe (the) riding has been poorly represented by the Conservative Party with rhetoric steeped in misguided ideology," she states in her profile.
"The Conservative government's undermining of Canada includes the loss of jobs, the inability to create a strong economy, and the ongoing lack of responsibility regarding our environment and natural resources," she adds.
Davies has said her own conversations with Liberal leader Justin Trudeau – which suggested he welcomes MPs to vote their "conscience and community" – convinced her the party was the best fit for her personal values.