Efteen reached out to each of the four candidates in the Prince George-North Cariboo riding to ask the same list of questions. These are the answers provided by Sheldon Clare who is running with the B.C. Conservatives.
The election will be held Saturday, Oct. 19. Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be locations to vote on Election Day across the riding, including in Wells, Bouchie Lake, Nazko and Hixon.
People can vote in advance at:
- St. John the Divine Anglican Church (465 Kinchant Street) in Quesnel - Oct. 10 to Oct 13, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16.
- Miocene Community Centre in (3511 Horsefly Road) in 150 Mile - Oct. 15 and Oct. 16.
- Big Lake Community Hall (4056 Lakeview Road) Big Lake - Oct. 12 and Oct. 13.
- Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department (4253 Wildwood Road) in Williams Lake - Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.
People can also vote early at the District Electoral Office located in West Park Mall and at 510 Broadway Ave. North Williams Lake.
For more information on the election check elections.bc.ca.
Who you are, what party are you running for and why have you decided to run for MLA this election?
As a Conservative Party of BC candidate, I am running because I see a dire need for changing the direction that this province has been going in under several successive governments. I became concerned for my daughters’ opportunities in B.C. As a college instructor for over three decades, I believe that we need to get back to a community-based model of education to support local needs within our province.
What, in your view, is the biggest issue facing the PG-North Cariboo riding? How would you address it?
Ailing infrastructure, a crumbling health care system, and decreasing economic opportunities, all of which are contributing to the addiction crisis and crime. Building the North-South Interconnector is a major priority for me, and I will work to carve out the funding to get it done. Getting people working will improve many aspects of our problems. A key point that will help is reducing delays in the permitting process for resource extraction and fibre supply, while still respecting environmental and local concerns. There also needs to be much more concern about agriculture and food security. Ideologically-based deficit spending needs to be curtailed. My strong voice within a larger Conservative team will get these jobs done.
There is a Canada-wide shortage of health care workers. With this in mind, how do you propose to attract health care workers to come to this region, and then stay here, when they have their pick of jobs and locations?
Hiring back fired health care workers, and repealing Bill 36 would be a good start. However, creating spaces for long term forensic psychiatric patients would free up a lot of pressure on community health and get health care focused on patients needing surgeries and basic services. Seniors need support where they live, and access to transportation when needed. Educating and recruiting doctors and nurses will improve when students once again see that these professions are valued and safe. Medical facilities are of no use without staff and ongoing maintenance budgets.
Reconciliation with Indigenous communities has become a central focus of provincial and federal government in recent years. What would you do to help further this process as MLA?
Encouraging economic opportunities for Indigenous people is important. Part of that is cultivating a culture of honesty, and building mutually respectful relationships. Being relatable is critical to building understanding and moving forward. Virtue signalling is patronizing, divisive, and is not helping reconciliation. The key is to find common ground between all communities whether native or not, and build those relationships upon common interests. Where there are conflicts, it is important to face them directly rather than engage in avoidance.
Given the increasing climate-related disasters taking place around the world and in our region, what is your plan to address the climate crisis and what role does the climate tax play in that, if any?
The carbon tax is regressive and destructive to economic prosperity. It is much more useful to adapt to a changing environment than pretending that we can prevent the climate from changing by taxing people into poverty. Meeting projected energy needs will require considering a variety of energy sources.
How do you propose to ensure that provincial legislation listens to, and takes into account, the very different needs of rural B.C. rather than being a ‘one size fits all’ template designed with urban voters in mind?
Building a northern and rural caucus within the government is one way to ensure that our region is well represented in legislation. Being part of a party in government makes that easier. The advantage of having a party is that MLAs can work together to promote the common interests of their ridings and help the province with their ministries as applicable. Prince George – North Cariboo is both rural and urban and is in effect a microcosm of the whole province. Connecting with constituents and acting on their needs is essential, and collaboration with other MLAs is critical for success.
Note: Some of Clare's responses were edited to meet the 500 word limit given to candidates
