Tom Baraniak
Area L candidate
I moved to the Bridge Lake area in 1999.
I was born in Germany, educated in Switzerland and hold a law degree from the University of Bern.
More than 25 years of my career were spent as a full-time legal advisor to the Public Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. In this position, I was actively involved in drafting contracts for the corporation and its employees.
As head of human resources, I was able to successfully settle negotiations for the benefit of both parties. I consider myself a mediator and prefer to prepare the common ground for people of different opinions or interests to work together for the benefit of the whole community.
I’m married and have two daughters. I speak English, French and German.
After retiring from my hectic business life in Switzerland, I could finally realize my lifelong dream of moving to Canada.
Together with my wife, Francine, I successfully operated the Bridge Lake B&B, promoting the beautiful Cariboo to many guests from Canada and Europe. It was here that I finally found time to enjoy my hobbies of gardening, cooking, walking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter, reading and getting involved in local politics.
If elected as Director for Area L, I plan to work with all local groups to achieve controlled growth and progress.
Young families should be able to afford living in the Cariboo and support their families. An increase of stable jobs through the creation of new business opportunities will be one of my priorities.
The tourist industry along the Fishing Highway 24 has suffered a setback due to the closure of many resorts in the area. I plan to fight for funding to promote the tourist-related infrastructure and work on ideas to attract more visitors.
My hope is to streamline the bureaucratic decision process to reduce the long wait times many area residents have experienced in the past when dealing with government departments.
