Victor Lau still hopeful despite 20-year electoral drought

As of Oct. 26, Victor Lau’s name will be on the ballot for the Regina Douglas Park riding for the fifth time. The last four times, he has not received more than 565 votes.

He started in politics in the 1980s and with some friends, got the Green Party officially registered in Saskatchewan in 2000.

Lau has thousands of flyers stacked in his garage-cum-campaign office, next to a big map of the riding tacked up on the wall. Despite his many years in the electoral game, Lau said he doesn’t really have a specific formula.

“I just love talking to people. For me it’s about, basically, community so the issues change from every campaign,” said Lau.

He said getting out and talking to the voters door to door is important, even though this year the party members aren’t door-knocking aggressively because of COVID-19. Lau also makes a point of giving his personal cell number and email to people so they can be sure of getting ahold of him.

The Green Party’s fortunes could be changing, though. Lau said people are starting to be more accepting of the party and its issues. The party is pushing things like a guaranteed minimum income, rent control, and a move to renewable energy that includes plans to transition workers as well.

“I think the message is finally — from us anyway from the Green Party at the doorstep — being less scary and being more acceptable,” said Lau.

“And we’re starting to see, through polling and through the door-knocking, people are starting to understand the environment has to be included in any economic decision. It’s not a side banner anymore.”

Lau believes part of that is the younger generation coming up. He said it’s more interested in the Green Party’s ideas and isn’t “afraid” of them. Lau said the struggle there is convincing younger people to vote.

Lau has been trying to convince the voters to bring the Green Party into the legislature for 20 years with no success. Some at this point might give up, but not Lau. He said he keeps going for his children and grandchildren, to create change that will benefit them.

“I’ve had a really good life and I want the generation after me 30 years down the road to have an even better life. I think it’s always that idea of constant improvement,” said Lau.