Doug Maxwell

Doug Maxwell says it's time to get rid of the party system in the B.C. Legislature.
The now-retired former owner of Maxwell's Auto Service in Penticton, announced Wednesday he will represent the B.C. First Party in the Penticton riding in next May's provincial election.
"I believe that we need to change the system of party politics, entitlement and the people not having a voice in decisions about our province," he said. "Government has forgotten who the boss really is and common sense seems to have taken a back seat to greed and entitlement."
This marks Maxwell's first foray into politics.
"The more I read in the papers, the more I get angry," he said. "Somebody has to step forward and start changing things."
Maxwell said B.C. First would allow all elected MLAs to vote independently, rather than along party lines. The premier would be chosen by the entire population under a separate ballot, much like a mayor in municipal politics.
Cabinet ministers would be chosen by the premier, but would remain in their portfolio for the entire term, rather than be shuffled into a different post if they don't perform as well as expected.
"I'm outraged daily to see that our government spends money to get re-elected, not for what good for the people," he said.
He pointed to the B.C. Liberal government's current $15-million advertising campaign lauding the government's efforts just a few months before the next election.
Maxwell noted while the provincial debt continues to climb to $50 billion, taxpayers are on the hook for $2.5 billion in annual interest payments alone.
The province's MLAs responded by voting themselves a big raise. Maxwell promised, if elected, he would donate 25 per cent of his salary to local charities in the riding.
"We shouldn't be in it just for the money," he said. "We should be in it because we want to give back a little to the community."
Maxwell said rather than spend millions on such mega projects as a new roof for B.C. Place Stadium, the new Port Mann Bridge and the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, the province should concentrate on projects such as the proposed expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital.
Among the small crowd on hand for Maxwell's announcement was Ron Barillaro of Penticton, who serves as the Okanagan regional director for B.C. First.