Unsure who to vote for? Want to know more about your local candidates? Black Press Media has asked candidates to provide a short biography as well as answer key questions to help readers understand more about who is running from Peachland to Coldstream in this upcoming B.C. election. Be sure to check back for updates and videos. 

Prior to my election as the MLA for Vernon-Monashee, I worked as a registered nurse for over 20 years in MacKenzie, Terrace and Vernon. I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™m a mother, community advocate. I grew up on a family farm and was married to a Mackenzie sawmill worker. I lost my first husband to cancer in 2008. He died too soon because of lack of access to healthcare. I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve experienced hard times but remain passionate about serving people and that91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s why I decided to run for office. My three kids inspire me to keep making a positive difference in the world.

I am proud of my record getting results for people here in Vernon-Lumby. As part of the BC NDP government, I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve delivered more than 1,000 affordable housing units in our community, secured dozens of new healthcare professionals for the region and brought millions of dollars in investments for important infrastructure like schools, childcare spaces, roads and extreme weather mitigation.

What do you think of the new Vernon-Lumby boundary which used to include Cherryville and Coldstream?

I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve spent the past four years working with people in all corners of Vernon-Monashee and I was honoured to serve Cherryville and Coldstream as their MLA. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s a little bittersweet that, should I have the honour of being re-elected, I will no longer be representing those wonderful communities. However, those voters have an excellent BC NDP candidate on the ballot in Anna Warwick-Sears!

Our region is close-knit and Vernon is a hub for all surrounding communities and I know we91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ll all keep working together to make our communities even better places to live, work and play.

What is the biggest issue in the Vernon-Lumby riding and how do you plan to address it?

People are concerned about healthcare. As a mother I know how important it is to make sure that if your kid gets sick, they91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ll get the care they need quickly. And as a nurse I know how important it is to make sure our healthcare professionals have the tools and facilities they need to deliver the best care to their patients. 

That91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s why our government has invested in our healthcare system. Locally, the new Primary Care Network brought in 75 new healthcare providers to our region. We91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve also created hundreds of new long-term care beds and are building a new psychiatric unit at the Vernon hospital. 

We91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™re working hard to address the gaps left by decades of under-funding from (BC Liberal, now BC United) governments. The BC NDP has the record and the vision to continue strengthening public healthcare in BC.

What makes you a better candidate than the others?

Deciding to run for public office is a big decision and I applaud anyone who puts their name forward. I don91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t take any vote for granted. I hope voters will see that I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™m the best person for the job because I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve been doing it for four years.

My experience caring for this community runs deep. My patients trusted me to look after them in their homes and hospital bedside. I bring that dedication, integrity and understanding of people91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s concerns with me into the Legislature.

I have the experience of working with a team of MLAs led by David Eby who share the priorities of everyday people in Vernon-Lumby. Together, my colleagues in Victoria and I have delivered better healthcare, better schools, lower utility rates and attainable housing for British Columbians. 

We91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve seen John Rustad91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s record of cuts. The people of Vernon-Lumby can count on me and the BC NDP team to keep taking action on the things that matter 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” healthcare, housing, education and cost of living.