Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says she will run again as the B.C. Liberal constituency candidate in the 2017 provincial election.
“I had a lot of constituents who came to me and said ‘don’t quit,’ so basically that’s the main reason, plus the fact there is still a lot of work to do in the Cariboo-Chilcotin.”
Times ahead will see more effort going into diversifying the local economy, she notes.
The MLA expects the biggest challenges during the next term will be continuously improving health care, education and seniors care, and ensuring there are good ecosystems and job opportunities to support healthy families.
Barnett adds she has helped find “all kinds of dollars and cents … for all kinds of things” in funding and grants for local governments and community organizations during her time as MLA, first elected in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.
“My role is as a strong advocate for challenges that we can make into opportunities for the Cariboo-Chilcotin.”
Barnett says what also makes her role as MLA “so great” are the many opportunities she has to help people with their personal struggles and issues that aren’t public, but involve government.
“I enjoy it. I do get a lot of personal satisfaction; helping people is great.
“That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about me; it’s about what you can give back to your community.”
