Basic numbers are the important things for Liberal candidate Brian Scott.

He ran once for the Nanaimo-Cowichan federal seat and came in third.

Now the 52-year-old married dad of four is taking a second stab at convincing voters in the mid-island riding — currently held by Jean Crowder of the NDP — he’s the man for the job.

“I’ve always been interested in politics and when I was a young man I had a great mentor, John Robarts (Ontario Tory premier from 1961 to 1971) who explained things to me and how they work,” Scott said. “He was a middle-of-the-road Progressive Conservative, but was also very concerned about social justice, as I am as well.”

Scott said he believes the economy and society cannot thrive without social programs.

“Look at the States, where there’s a permanent underclass — this is the richest nation in the world and there are people living in shacks.”

Of course, Scott said he realizes there are underprivileged Canadians as well.

“In Canada we have a group of rich people, the middle class and a group of poor people. In the U.S. there is a class of really rich people and a really huge group of really poor people who don’t have things like Medicare where everybody is covered.”

Scott — who is a small businessman in Cowichan Bay — said he’s aware the provincial Liberals aren’t winning popularity contests in the valley right now and distanced himself from his B.C. counterparts.

“The provincial Liberals and the federal Liberals have nothing in common, we’re not even related, but it doesn’t help that more people don’t know that, but some of the people who think we’re linked wouldn’t vote for us anyway.”

Scott said constituents he’s talked to since the campaign started have indicated there are several front-of-mind issues the feds must deal with.

“One thing I’m hearing a lot is people really don’t like (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper,” he said, giving the obligatory jab at the leader of the Conservatives who is being predicted by some research polls to be unbeatable come the Oct. 14 elections.

“There’s only one poll that counts and that’s on election day,” said Scott.

Still, Scott believes the there is plenty he can do better than incumbent Crowder if he’s elected and the Liberals form the opposition. “I’m very loud,” he said.

“We all remember Sheila Copps, John Nunziata and well all miss Brian Tobin and the way they stood up and eviscerated the Mulroney government.

“I’ll be up there every day saying, ‘What the hell is going on in this country? What gives you the right to tear up (the) Kelowna (Accord)? That we don’t need to do anything about green house gases and it’s OK for our target to be in 2050?’ That’s ridiculous.”

If the Liberals do win the day, Scott, who is married to a First Nations woman, said he feels he’s qualified to hold a certain portfolio.

“Of course that would be up to Mr. (Liberal leader Stéphane) Dion, but the portfolio I’d be interested in is Indian Affairs.”

The News Leader Pictorial is co-hosting an all candidates meeting 7 p.m., Oct. 7 at the Cowichan Theatre.