Kamloops MP McLeod goes on political blind date with Green MP

Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Conservative MP Cathy McLeod will discuss the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project with former federal Green leader and Saanich-Gulf Islands Green MP Elizabeth May during an episode of the political series Political Blind Date, airing later this month.

The series can be found on TVO, a publicly funded media organization based in Ontario, and is available for streaming online at tvo.org. Political Blind Date can also be found on cable on CPAC. McLeod’s episode, dubbed Pipeline Politics, will air on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m.

The half-hour episodes match two politicians with different viewpoints on issues impacting Canadians. One episode featured Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and other episodes this season will focus on issues related to health care, migrant workers, religion and the environment.

In Pipeline Politics, the pros and cons of the Trans Mountain pipeline project and its impact on indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across British Columbia will be tackled.

McLeod said one day was spent last summer filming in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding and another day was spent in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding.

“She was my date, so I got to choose who we met and what we did,” McLeod said. “And then I spent a day in her riding and, of course, she got to choose who we met and what we did.”

McLeod did not wish to give to disclose too many details, but she said both had local guests. On Vancouver Island, discussion centred around tanker traffic.

The show featuring politicians with different viewpoints comes as McLeod discussed in recent days the need for civilized public discourse, following a break-in at her Seymour Street constituency office and disparaging comments from people who have taken issue with her stance on the pandemic and the need for vaccinations.

McLeod said politicians have agreed to take part in the show because it creates fair and respective debate of issues.

Asked if she found common ground with May, she said:

“I think we can say we had respectful dialogue.”