The Green Party of Canada has nominated Crystal City resident Bill Tiessen as their candidate in the upcoming federal election for Brandon-Souris.

Tiessen is a former farmer but now does bookkeeping. He said when he heard David Neufeld of Boissevain wasn’t going to seek the nomination he decided to throw his name into the ring.

“I think environmental issues are foremost for our party but we are more than that if people have a look at our economic policies I know they’ll like what they see.” Bill Tiessen looks forward to the campaign

Tiessen said he is also concerned with rural communities and is focused on helping them survive and thrive into the future.

Regarding the carbon tax, he said for the most part he agrees with the government’s implementation and the market-based solution. “But our party advocates for taxing carbon where it is actually taken from the ground.”

Tiessen knows he has an uphill battle but he plans to work hard at getting the party message out to voters in Brandon-Souris. “I feel people are ready for some change in Ottawa and we have a great leader and the policies that should help to attract more votes this time around.”