Local MLAs say they will work twice as hard and twice as loud now that NDP leader John Horgan will be B.C’s next premier.
Horgan has been named Premier-Elect, tasked with forming government by Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon. The 42-44 vote of no confidence resulted in Christy Clark’s resignation from the position.
“We’ve been working really hard over the last 7 weeks to present to British Columbians in the throne speech something that demonstrated that we had listened during the election and something that we were incredibly hopeful in good faith that the members in the house who had discussed the idea of wanting a more collaborative government would say yes to,” says Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “They chose not to go in a collaborative fashion”
Oakes says it is going to take a considerable amount of effort to ensure that the government that is formed understands the importance of rural and resource-based communities.
“We will make sure every single day that we remind them and they have an obligation as government that they need to represent all of British Columbia, not just the Lower Mainland.”
Oakes says as MLA she will continue to work extremely hard and that they will hold the new government to account.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett also responded and says contract projects signed before the election will carry on, and that she will fight tooth and nail to ensure that the redevelopment of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital will move forward.
“They said (NDP) they’re here for the people, they’re here to deliver better health care, more day care spaces, more funding for seniors,” says Barnett. “I will be the first one at the table saying where is the Cariboo-Chilcotin’s share.”