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Young candidates vying for new federal riding

NDP and Liberal hopefuls coming forward for upcoming nomination races for Burnaby North-Seymour
Trevor Ricthie
Burnaby's Trevor Ritchie is hoping to secure the NDP nomination for Burnaby North-Seymour.

The race for the newly formed federal riding of Burnaby North-Seymour is shaping up to be a battle between relatively young candidates.  

While Terry Beech, 33, is hoping to be the Liberal candidate, Burnaby's Trevor Ritchie, 24 is hoping to secure the NDP nomination for the riding.

"I'm excited to be able to get my policy ideas out there," Ritchie told the NOW. "It's time to see what our generation can do."

Ritchie is a Burnaby North Secondary grad, who studied political science and education and is on his way to becoming a teacher. As for political experience, Ritchie volunteered on MLA Jane Shin's provincial campaign and the 2011 Burnaby Citizens' Association push for school board and council. Readers may recognize Ritchie's name, as he's a frequent letter-writer to the Burnaby NOW.

"I've been writing all these letters to the editor, I figured it's time to put my money where my mouth is," Ritchie said.

Ritchie isn't the only NDP hopeful; actor Michael Charrois is also interested in securing the nomination.

The NOW was not able to get in touch with Beech for an interview before deadline, but according to his LinkedIn profile, he has an extensive background in business and is an adjunct professor at both UBC and SFU. Beech had a very early start in politics. He was first elected to Nanaimo city council in 1999, when he was just 18 years old, making him the youngest elected official in the country.

The Burnaby North-Seymour riding was formed following a review from the B.C. electoral boundaries commission, which redrew the ridings for the province. The Burnaby-Douglas riding was split in two, and the northern half became part of the new Burnaby North-Seymour riding, which includes a sizeable chunk of the North Shore.

As for the Conservatives, the NOW did not hear back from the federal party's headquarters.

Neither the NDP nor the Liberals have a date set to choose their candidates.