Like daughter, like mother.
Turning the axiom upside down is just the way it is in the Helps family and mom Billie isn't shy about crediting her daughter, Rebecca, for turning her on to the Green Party.
"I believe in all the things they stand for," says the grandmother and retired property manager. "I do believe we need some kind of a change, if not a full change, then a few voices that will keep them on their toes in Victoria."
Helps decided to run for the Green Party when the election was announced after some discussions with her daughter and party leader Jane Sterk. Now she is comfortable talking to people in the community where she has lived for 34 years about the environment and social issues, such as affordable day care.
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
"I think it [the Green Party] is about looking after our country, our land, for generations to come."
She's not afraid to meet people or talk to a crowd at all-candidates meetings because she was a Girl Guide area commissioner for years and is used to communicating to a large group of people, and says she has received support from friends, family and Green Party supporters.
Although she faces an uphill battle with the BC NDP and the BC Liberal Party in this battle-hardened riding, Helps is happy to offer an alternative.
And if she wins?
"I would be honoured if I was elected. I would work very hard for my constituents. I would be thrilled if I was, because I think I could make a difference, I could speak up where people aren't speaking up, I'm good at that."
More about the Green Party can be found at www.greenparty.bc.ca. More about Billie Helps can be found at www.greenparty.bc.ca/billiehelps.
