Listen Live
Listen Live
Listen Live

Cariboo North MLA named Deputy WHIP in Conservative Caucus

Newly elected MLA, Sheldon Clare has been named the BC Conservative Party’s Deputy WHIP.

The announcement was made on November 20, in a press release when John Rustad unveiled his shadow cabinet. Clare, the Prince George – North Cariboo MLA, will be in a leadership role as Deputy WHIP. Reporting under WHIP Bruce Banman, MLA for Abbotsford South.

“It’s really quite an honour,” says Clare. “It’s a leadership role, I was very flattered to be asked to do it given that I’m a new MLA.”

Clare’s new role will put him as one of the top three leadership roles underneath the party leader. The role also makes sure that the members attend “any and all” the legislative assembly meetings and committee responsibilities.

Clare will also be a key figure in enforcing any discipline on the caucus, as well as with “extra compensation”.

Clare adds that as Deputy WHIP, he will be in a better position to voice his riding’s concerns to both the caucus, and the legislation assembly.

“I think it gives me a stronger voice within the caucus. I’m someone who is going to be a key member and engaged in responsibilities that everyone is going to be looking to. The leader [John Rustad] emphasized to me in this role that I have the ability to speak on any issue and consult, and I intend to make use of that.”

BC NDP won a fringe majority with 47 seats in the 2024 Election. The Conservative Party forms the opposition with 44 seats, which Clare says will make his role as Deputy WHIP important to make sure the opposition it there to hold the province accountable.

“It’s the smallest majority you can possibly have, and we have the largest opposition that’s ever been in this legislature,” says Clare. “Everybody’s going to have to be there all the time. It’s going to be a very strict and rigorous need to hold the government accountable for everything it does, and they’re already feeling the pressure.”

Clare’s team is in the middle of transitioning to their office space in Quesnel’s City Hall. He adds that his team is also looking for space in Prince George, to be able to hear and service his riding the best he can.

Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Teryn Midzain
Teryn Midzain
Teryn is a News Reporter based in Quesnel, B.C. He started his career in local journalism in Abbotsford, B.C, where he attended the University of the Fraser Valley studying English and Media Communications. He spent six months living in London, UK, studying journalism and working in the field before returning to focus on building a long-term career. A passionate sports enthusiast, he moonlights as an amateur race car driver and plays Dungeons & Dragons when he is not on the clock or out in nature.

Continue Reading

ckbx Now playing play

cffm Now playing play

ckcq Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

BCGEU strike headed to mediation

The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the provincial government have agreed to enter non-binding mediation, expected to begin as soon as possible. Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers are to be the mediators facilitating the process. The BCGEU said in a statement, it's members will still maintain picket lines across the province while mediation proceeds.

Motor Vehicle Incidents topped September’s Central Cariboo Search & Rescue call outs

Central Cariboo Search and Rescue (CCSR) members were kept busy in September.

CRD to resume hydrant maintenance work in parts of the South Cariboo

Hydrant maintenance work is scheduled to restart in parts of the South Cariboo starting this Monday (October 20).

September was a little slower than August for the Williams Lake Fire Department

Calls for service were down slightly last month for members of the Williams Lake Fire Department.

Quesnel mourns the loss of one of its prominent citizens

Mary Sjostrom, Director of Electoral Area A for the Cariboo Regional District, passed away suddenly on Tuesday morning. Mary spent decades in public serivce as a City Councillor then the first female Mayor of Quesnel before being the Director for Electoral Area A of the Cariboo Regional District, on top of being a member of countless committee boards across the region.
- Advertisement -