What is your background? What experiences make you a good candidate?
I was born in Princeton and have lived in Ashcroft for over 50 years. I have served my community and the region as an elected school trustee for 17 years, 15 years as the board chair. During that time I also served on the B.C. School Trustees executive, including one year as president. I am currently in my third term as a municipal councillor for the Village of Ashcroft. My work experience included seven years as the self employment coordinator for Community Futures, helping people interested in starting up a small business. I worked in Community Development through B.C. Healthy Communities. I have also owned and operated The Painted Ladies Gallery and Gifts, with three partners. I believe I have the skills necessary to be a very effective voice in Victoria.
What can be done to bring jobs to the area and improve the economy?
I believe we must continue to ensure a business environment in the province of B.C. that welcomes investment. Industry creates jobs. In order to support expansion of industry, we must ensure clear, transparent, consistent processes that are not changed on a whim. Fraser Nicola is a resource based riding, dependent upon forestry, mining and agriculture to support our communities. We need a government that supports growth, which in turn supports communities. Just one recent example in Fraser Nicola is Copper Mountain Mine in Princeton.
What are your policies to improve rural healthcare?
Both of these issues are critically important in our rural communities.
In speaking with constituents across the riding, healthcare is upper most in their minds. Despite the fact the healthcare budget continues to grow every year, more services are centralized into bigger centres. There are no easy answers to this issue. Government has heard the concerns of rural communities and have responded in a number of ways. The BC Liberals have provided incentive programs to attract doctors to rural communities. We have a doctor. shortage throughout the province, the government has increased the medical student spaces at universities. Continued commitment, $2.3 billion over the next three years, to long term care beds. We must continue to be a strong voice for healthcare in our communities.