Parksville Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon may have backed Kevin Falcon for the leadership of the BC Liberal party, but he says he’s excited about the province’s future under the leadership of Christy Clark.
Cantelon called Clark’s victory in Saturday’s leadership contest “impressive” and said he expects the new leader to challenge the party and lead it in a new direction — within the parameters of the party’s overall direction.
“She is advocating an interactive style of government with people and making cabinet real,” he said Monday. “That’s the temper of the times. People are no loner content to sit on the sidelines. We’ve seen that with the health centre. People have been an integral part of the process. That’s the way of the future.”
Cantelon said the fact that no cabinet ministers and only one MLA supported the new premier-designate won’t likely pose a significant issue for the new leader.
“I don’t see it as a problem,” he said. “As caucus chair I have been canvassing the members and they are all eager to work with her. They know we need to work together as a team. We’ve done it before. I’m interested to see how this change will play out, and we will work together to make it work.”
Cantelon wouldn’t speculate about the chances of Clark calling a snap election.
“I won’t speculate about an election,” he said.
“We will meet as a caucus soon and we will see what happens.”
