Liberal Convention

Liberal red has taken over the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre this weekend.

Delegates from all ridings have gathered at the Trade and Convention Centre Friday to discuss matters of importance to British Columbians. Topics such as affordable housing, bullying in school systems, second-hand smoke and the 2010 Olympics will be discussed over the weekend.

MLA for the Okanagan-Westside, Rick Thorpe, says the convention is going very well.

"One of the things about having our convention in the South Okanagan is people bring so much enthusiasm to it because they love coming here. We want to reach higher for all British Columbians," says Thorpe.

He says grass-root input from party members and regional caucuses is extremely valued at the convention.

"We build from the ground up and look forward to their on-going input. It's many ideas from conventions like this has lead B.C. back to being number one in Canada," says Thorpe.

However, not everyone is pleased the Liberals are in town.

Roy Roope is marching in front of the convention centre in protest of tolls motorists pay to use the Coquhalla.

"We are the only area in BC to have a toll highway. It is a government rip-off that should have gone away decades ago," says Roope.

He says he'd like to see the Liberals ask themselves why the Thompson-Okanagan is the only area with a toll-highway.

"Why do we have to pay beyond the accelerated cost allowance? Just wanting the money is not enough," says Roope.

Thorpe says the Liberals are always looking at how they make their money and how it goes back to British Columbians.

"British Columbia now has the highest increase of disposable income since we've been in government and the lowest unemployment rate in the last 30 years," says Thorpe.

Roope says he plans to continue his one-man protest as long as he can stand the cold.

The Liberal convention continues at the Trade and Convention Centre until Saturday afternoon.