An autism advocate will represent BC United in the race to fill the seat in the legislature left vacant by the departure of former premier John Horgan.
Elena Lawson, who co-founded Children’s Autism Federation of BC, was nominated by the party Wednesday morning at an event in Langford with Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon and other members of his caucus in attendance.
The riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca is currently without an MLA following the official departure of Horgan on March 31.
Lawson, a resident of Metchosin in Greater Victoria, has been an vocal critic of the government’s autism policies.
“I’m running to be the next BC United MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca because I’m tired of the NDP’s empty promises and lack of outcomes,” Lawson said. “As a mother of two, one of whom has autism, I know firsthand the challenges that families in Langford-Juan de Fuca face every day. It’s time for us to have a strong voice that advocates for the needs of our families and ensures that our community thrives.”
Lawson co-founded Children’s Autism Federation of BC ion 2018 after the oldest of her two sons received an autism diagnosis.
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Lawson’s candidacy rounds up the slate of major party candidates for the yet-to-be-called by-election.
Also running is Ravi Parmar for the New Democrats, Camille Currie for the BC Greens and Mike Harris for the Conservative Party of BC.
It is not clear yet when voters in that riding will elect their new representative as Premier David Eby has yet to call a date for the by-election.
Langford-Juan de Fuca is one of two ridings in B.C. currently without representation, the other one being Vancouver Mount-Pleasant.
Both are considered safe NDP ridings.
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