One of the best parts of my job as your MLA is the time I get to spend engaging with you, my constituents, in your communities around the riding.
On Oct. 25, I took my office on the road to Likely, where I had the pleasure of speaking with many residents. I enjoyed our conversations, and was pleased with how productive they were — we discussed the community’s access to health care, and how we can best support their volunteer fire department and first responders. I was also pleased to be in Williams Lake last week to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Visitor Centre Network and to congratulate Executive Director of the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Claudia Blair for 31 years of service in the tourism industry.
Opportunities to interact with you — to hear your concerns and join in your triumphs — are invaluable to me as your MLA. I not only enjoy getting to know you, but hearing what’s important to you helps me represent you in Victoria.
Our BC Liberal government also knows the value of engaging with you — and it’s currently seeking local expertise related to B.C.’s hidden treasures, as part of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s plan to rejuvenate and expand its Stop of Interest program along B.C.’s highways, to preserve and promote sites of historical or cultural interest.
Our backcountry is rich with history and culture — I encourage all of you to submit your suggestions for local signs to http://engage.gov.bc.ca/stopsofinterest/ before Jan. 31, 2017. Some other highway signs you should be taking notice of now that winter is here are those winter tire and chain signs.
Between Oct. 1 and March 31, motorists must have winter tires in order to drive on many of our highways and truck drivers must carry chains.
We all know that snow can be treacherous as well as beautiful – this winter, let’s keep safety top of mind, driving carefully and keeping our sidewalks clear of snow and ice.
Coralee Oakes is the MLA for Cariboo North and Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. Contact MLA Oakes’ constituency office: Phone: 250-991-0296; Email: coralee.oakes.mla@leg.bc.ca.
