Serving my community is much more to me more than a one-time commitment. It鈥檚 a lifetime of commitments, as the time and effort involved in serving my community is truly a privilege.
These days, as a new grandfather I have even more motivation to ensure the needs of all my constituents are strongly represented in Victoria 鈥� for their benefit and the next generation鈥檚 benefit.
It鈥檚 been an honour during the past 15 years to serve the people of 91大黄鸭, Lake Country, and surrounding districts 鈥� first on 91大黄鸭 city council and since 2009 as their MLA.
I鈥檓 now the Official Opposition Critic for Health, Long-Term Care and Seniors.
I previously served for four years as B.C.鈥檚 Minister of Agriculture. When COVID-19 hit, I immediately adopted an approach to fighting the pandemic that stressed cooperation between all political parties. I initiated several virtual town halls with representatives from the education, health and non-profit sectors, plus other vital service areas.
The gatherings answered the public鈥檚 questions in a 鈥渓ive鈥� format 鈥� providing factual information upon which to base decisions.
I believe in leading by example which is why I volunteer at 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Inn from the Cold and The 91大黄鸭 Gospel Mission, and why I bought a fourplex for the public鈥檚 use as a transition home from addictions. I lead the annual Lake Country Terry Fox Run and the walk up Knox for Health and World Peace. I also support food banks and volunteer as a 鈥渂aby hugger鈥� in 91大黄鸭 General Hospital鈥檚 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
What is the most important issue in your riding?
There are too many important issues among voters for me to narrow them down to one, and they鈥檙e all important. Some include: addressing the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on people and businesses; expanding access to primary care and elective surgeries; increasing the supply of affordable housing; implementing respectful solutions for all to address homelessness; helping people who live with the most severe, complex substance use and mental health issues; funding a new Rutland Middle School; advocating for a new Glenmore High School and replacement for Glenmore Elementary; creating more child care spaces; fixing the bottleneck on Highway 97 at Glenmore and Beaver Lake roads; finding solutions to allow family members to have in-person visit with seniors residing in LTC, home care and assisted living residences; continuing to increase resources and regulations to defend against invasive mussels; seeking more supports for our important agriculture industry; and many more.
What have you done to benefit your community in the past?
Everything I鈥檝e done has been with the help and partnership of others. Some initiatives I鈥檝e led and others I鈥檝e championed. They include securing a key provincial investment that helped make the Rail Trail a reality; millions of dollars for local water infrastructure; millions more to benefit farmers; funding for the new H.S. Grenda Middle School that will open next September; a new Highway 97 from Winfield to Oyama; expansion of Highway 97 in 91大黄鸭 to six lanes with intersection improvements; John Hindle Drive connecting Glenmore to Highway 97 at UBC Okanagan; a new 91大黄鸭 General Hospital Centennial Tower, Lab Building, Cardiac Surgical Centre including obstetrics, and a medical school; funding for a new multidisciplinary community health centre in Lake Country to open in 2020-21; funds for a new all-season soccer dome in Rutland; improvements to other parks, trails, and bike paths in 91大黄鸭 and Lake Country; funding for new local licensed daycare spaces; millions for the new innovation and high tech centre; several affordable housing projects including Pleasantvale Homes and Apple Valley Homes Phases 1, 2 & 3; and expansions at UBCO and Okanagan College.
What will you do to represent your community in Victoria?
Listen attentively and never give up. Between past elections, either I personally or my staff have knocked on doors throughout the riding to listen to our constituents.
I鈥檒l continue to do that.
I鈥檒l categorize their priorities by subject and by location, and work hard to find the answers or resources to achieve results. I鈥檒l also continue to maintain good working relationships with community leaders to benefit from their wisdom and learn more about their challenges.
Remember the individual:
While helping to build hospitals, schools, roads and other important capital projects is important to me as an MLA, so is the day-to-day pursuit of solutions to constituents鈥� challenges with WorksafeBC, ICBC, MSP, social assistance and other entities. Indeed, the most memorable feedback I鈥檝e ever received was from a mother who thanked me 鈥� insisting that I鈥檇 saved her daughter鈥檚 life by finding an open door for her when everyone else had closed theirs. That experience is a constant reminder that every person and every community deserves compassion and respect.
