Bill Sundhu seeks NDP nomination to fight ‘ruthless’ Tories

NEWS/ POLITICS — Lawyer and former provincial court judge Bill Sundhu will go after the federal NDP nomination for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding in next year’s federal election.

Sundhu announced today (Wednesday) he’ll seek the nomination “because I am concerned about the direction of our country.”

He said, “we need principled, forward-looking parliamentarians.”

Sundhu criticized what he characterized as the cynical style of the Conservative government in Ottawa.

“A political ideology that borrows from the U.S. Republican playbook, by the Harper Conservatives, has brought cynicism and a coarseness that diminishes parliament, democratic governance and Canada’s international reputation — one that divides Canadians into ‘us and them,’ attack ads, contempt of parliament, and bellicose rhetoric.

“From disrespect of veterans, to attacks on the chief justice; it is a government that is ruthless, arrogant and out of touch. The real challenges and issues that concern most Canadians are ignored or trivialized or — worse — belittled.”

In addition to his law degree, Sundhu has a Masters Degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford and a Certificate from the Harvard Negotiation Institute at Harvard Law School.

He is on the List of Counsel for the International Criminal Court, The Hague. Lawyers on the List of Counsel can be called upon to provide legal assistance in matters before the court.

Incumbent MP Cathy McLeod will represent the Conservatives in the next election. The Liberals haven’t chosen a candidate.