An NDP leadership candidate says many Canadians are increasingly being left on the economic sidelines.
Niki Ashton, MP for Churchill, Man, made a stop in Okanagan-Shuswap Thursday in the leadup to the party's leadership vote March 24.
"There are growing inequalities we're seeing in our communities, regions and in the country," she told about 15 people at Vernon's Pantry restaurant.
"We're seeing economic inequalities grow. There are some who have who will have more and the rest have difficulties making ends meet."
Ashton slammed the Conservative government, saying it has allowed raw resources to be shipped offshore instead of insisting that value-added products be made here as a way of stimulating employment.
"We need to build a greater say over our economy. We're seeing a hollowing out of the economy."
There are seven individuals seeking the leadership of the official opposition.