Kelowna

Photo: John O'Connor

Jim Shepard at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna Thursday.

The BC Liberals’ campaign for re-election got a little help from a former adviser who delivered a message of free enterprise to a group of executives in Kelowna Thursday.

Jim Shepard, who was paid only $1 a year as Clark’s economic advisor before he resigned earlier this year to chair the group, Concerned Citizens for British Columbia, told reporters he has full confidence in Clark’s leadership and her bid to remain as party leader into the next election.

“She’s committed, she’s very intelligent, she’s quick on her feet…and she’s courageous…that relentlessness is valuable in leaders,” the former Finning and Canfor CEO said following the closed-door economic roundtable at the Coast Capri Hotel Thursday morning.

Shepard said a trend of re-elections of provincial premiers, most notably Alison Redford (Alberta) and Dalton McGuinty (Ontario), is an indication that Clark will win in May 2013, when the province will head to the polls.

“I think it’s the fear of the unknown that gives incumbents some strength,” he noted.

Shepard attended the conference Thursday to advocate free enterprise, something he says was lacking during the reign of the BC NDP, and rally support for the Premier.

Concerned Citizens for British Columbia describes itself as concerned citizens who promote and support free enterprise, sound public policy, and good jobs for British Columbians.

“What we’re talking about here is the free-enterprise coalition,” Shepard said, pointing out that the coalition existed between the BC Liberals and BC Conservatives in the past and also through the now defunct Social Credit party.

“First, you got to create the wealth, then you talk about how to distribute it.”

Shepard added that Clark has convinced foreign investors that BC is an attractive place to invest, putting BC at the top among provinces for job creation.

Shepard also called on BC Conservatives, who he says are “unhappy Liberals,” to “come back into the fold.”

The former CEO, who claims to hold no particular political affiliation other than free enterprise, noted that the Concerned Citizens group is currently going after younger British Columbians.

To help with this campaign, Concerned Citizens has acquired a former Barack Obama campaign team member, Dave Godsall, a social media consultant.

To get updates about the Concerned Citizens of BC check out their twitter feed #CC4BC