VIDEO: Environmental economist runs for the Green Party in Kelowna-Lake Country

John Janmaat researches economics and the environment, so it's not surprising his eyes on the Green Party for a long time. Finally, he became convinced to jump into the fray.

"I've been curious about them for years," he said while during a meet and greet at a Lake Country Coffee shop. "I think they've reached a point where they've got enough depth that they can make some serious contributions to the way we run this province."

The NDP Candidate in Janmaat's riding, Justin Kulik, is currently living in Metro Vancouver and isn't even visiting the area during the campaign, which may give the Green's an opportunity to grow more local support.

"I suppose it does," he surmises, "for my part, I just see it as kind of sad."

Janmaat sees his best skill is listening to people and he figures you just can't do that in the same way without being there.

"Suppose that person got elected," he continued. "Then they wouldn't be bringing the voice of the Okanagan of Kelowna Lake-Country, in the case of where I'm running, to Victoria."

The favourite to win the riding is BC Liberal Party incumbent Norm Letnick.

Janmaat admits Letnick is actually a pretty good listener too. But where he differs is on policy.

"The Liberals have jumped big onto this cut in the PST," he points out. "Is it really going to help the people that need it?"

Janmaat said a Green Party would take a different approach. "Wouldn't we do a lot better to just give support to people with lower incomes?"

He revealed a strong for the most vulnerable in our communities. "That's something that really matters to me a lot," said Janmaat.

"Certainly the Liberals don't seem to focus on system policy-level change to help people that are vulnerable."

British Columbians go to the polls, this Saturday, October 24.