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Scott, an
independent who is running to represent a region of rural
British Columbia in the Oct. 19 vote, posted the
attention-grabbing video on YouTube in mid-June, but it went
viral this week after being shared widely in online forums.
"I'm here to fight for Canada," Scott proclaims in the
special-effect-heavy clip, jumping from the back of a giant
Canada goose to stab a dragon through its head.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG6fhub9HDQ&feature=youtu.be)
The 37-year-old Scott then saves a falling man and fist bumps an
alien, all while outlining his views on the high cost of
university and calling for expanded social services, along with
more support for Canada's aboriginal people.
While not as slick as the ads from Canada's major parties,
Scott's on-screen antics could give Donald Trump, the bombastic
billionaire seeking the Republican nomination for president in
the U.S. election, a run for his money.
The bizarre video, which was produced by students recruited on
Craigslist, is an effort to get people engaged in the campaign,
Scott told Reuters.
"Obviously, we wanted to get some attention on what we're doing
here, so we came up with a clever little video,” he said.
Running as an independent means that while Scott, an
entrepreneur and young father, does not have the support of a
major party behind him, he is free to tailor his platform to
appeal to voters in his community.
On his website, Scott lists "economy, equality, and education"
as central to his plan, while advocating for domestic
manufacturing, agriculture and green technologies.
And in what is surely an effort to tap into anti-establishment
sentiment and young, hipster voters, his slogan is: "Think
artisan politics, not partisan politics."
Most polls show Canada's federal election will be a tightly
contested race between the ruling Conservatives and the official
opposition New Democrats, with the Liberals well behind.
While it remains to be seen whether Scott's skills as a dragon
slayer will help him eek out voter support, the story has gotten
the candidate international attention, with views of his video
jumping by the second.
"Change is coming to Canada and I'm ready to lead that charge,"
Scott says near the end of the clip, moments before zapping a
threatening robot with his laser vision. "Are you ready for that
shift?"
(Reporting by Julie Gordon; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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