What changes would you like to make?
I think one of the biggest ones, when you look around the community like Terrace, is obviously around the mental health and addictions crisis. It’s something that I’m very comfortable, on that file. I understand what needs to be done to improve that situation. We have a cost-of-living crisis right now as well. You know that there’s an immense amount of homelessness.
Public safety is an issue. You know, trying to make sure that we can still continue to grow our economy, particularly in this region. You look at issues around forestry, which has affected Terrace quite significantly.
You look at all the LNG facilities that are coming to Kitimat and hopefully a lot more development that will be coming. And I think having somebody that understands those industries and somebody that has been a very passionate advocate for that is a huge asset to this region.
In terms of mental health, what changes do you suggest?
One is that we don’t have enough treatment capacity. You know, we’ve only just gotten our first clinical treatment center in the region. This is the first time that we’ve had beds further north. Prince George has actual clinical bed-based treatment, but there’s only 12 beds and they’re already over prescribed, and it has a very long wait list.
We obviously need to ramp up that aspect as well as withdrawal management, but also sober living facilities for after people exit treatment. It’s actually more important to look at the metrics of how people are doing after they leave treatment, because that is the most important, most crucial part. Do people have access to housing? Do they have access to employment opportunities, educational opportunities, things that are going to help them rebuild their lives and contribute back to society?
There are two components there. It’s really important that we help people that are struggling. We want them to live a better life, but we also want them to contribute to society. And so, making sure that we put those things in place and that we’re focused on programs that are going to support people through recovery and, and help them to contribute back to society.
To pay for these services, who will be taxed?
I’m a firm believer that when you invest in people and when you invest in the right areas, areas that it makes sense to invest in, you’re going to see that return.
As long as we’re making those investments in the areas where it makes sense. Like I said, you know, there’s a direct correlation between the fact that we are losing so many British Columbians to this crisis with mental health and addictions, so many people whose lives have value. But that value isn’t being recognized right now because they’re wasting way on the street.
Over the past few months, the Conservative party lost 15 candidates. Then, many of the candidates returned. Recently, the party also removed 3 candidates. When members are removed, how can people trust the party to govern effectively?
That was very early days under a different leader. Then there were more people that chose to leave under a different leader than there were three people under that same leader that were kicked out. That was a leadership issue in my mind. That is not a party issue.
It’s not reflective of the group of people, but I think it’s also about what can this group of people achieve? And I think that we’ve proven in the last two years what we can achieve. We’ve been one of the most successful official oppositions in British Columbia’s history.
We managed to pass 4 private members’ bills. That is a historic first. We’ve pushed the government on many key pieces of their legislation and gotten things either reversed, amended, whatever it took. We have been incredibly effective as an opposition and we’re not going to make excuses for poor leadership. That’s why I’ve taken a stand on that in recent weeks and made my feelings on that known.
I support Lorne Doerkson as the leader. There’s absolutely nothing that concerns me about that. He is one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met. I don’t think we could have picked a better person. I also think that in his case, somebody that doesn’t go out and actively seeks a position of leadership is in many ways a much more effective leader.
Should American liquor go back on B.C. shelves?
I believe that the conservative platform is already committed that we won’t be doing that.
Fact Check: The Conservative Platform does not specify that they will not be putting American liquor on B.C. shelves. It says the following:
Ensure liquor, cannabis, wine, and beer regulation supports economic development. Move regulation into the Ministry of Economic Development and work with industry on economic-development and job-creation strategies, while maintaining common-sense regulation and consumer safety, particularly for youth.