I'm representing the BC NDP, because they've been doing good work in BC in the last three years, and I want to see that continue. West Kelowna has needed an urgent care centre for a long time, and now you have a brand new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in your community. This is a huge win for West Kelowna. The NDP government has also invested millions of dollars in housing in the Okanagan, building homes for residents, and creating jobs in the building industry.
I'm a raised-in-the-Okanagan girl. I've lived in Cherryville, Vernon, Armstrong, Kelowna and West Kelowna. I lived on McKellar Rd. in Glenrosa when I was in high school. I rode my horse all over the backcountry up there, and worked as a ski instructor at Last Mountain. I've been a small business owner and employer for most of my adult life, so I truly understand the challenges small businesses face, but also the enormous value they bring to the community. I was a town councillor for 6 years in Invermere, I've been on the board or chair of several non-profit organizations, and most recently have served as a board director with Interior Health. I have tenacity (some might call it stubborness!) and, as I think I've demonstrated in my campaign, a very strong work ethic.
The BC NDP has announced a $300 million grant fund for small business affected by COVID. This is not a loan program, this is real help to get our small businesses through the pandemic. We are making big improvements to senior's care, expanding $10 a day child care, investing in tourism infrastructure, building more treatment beds for those needing help with mental health or substance use, supporting agriculture and local food production by expanding FoodHub and investing in agri-tech. All of these initiatives will directly benefit people who live and work in West Kelowna.
I'm running for the BC NDP because I believe in a collaborative, people-centered approach in government. People I talk to are ready to have a new, energized and hard-working MLA in Kelowna-West!
