It has been my honour to serve as the MLA for Delta South and as a member of the Official Opposition holding the NDP government to account.
My job requires me to criticize the provincial government’s legislation and actions while providing the public with alternative policies and proposals to consider how issues can be addressed differently. It has been a challenge, to say the least, but I have had some successes along the way.
Each day representing you in Victoria, our community’s best interest was top of mind as I met with interest groups, fought for meaningful changes on the floor of the Legislature, and pushed Cabinet Ministers to fund important projects like the Mountain View Manor long-term care replacement project, the building of Evergreen Lane, the expansion of KinVillage, and highway improvements along highways 17 and 99.
I also feel grateful to have made an impact by fighting to ensure that the Irene Thomas Hospice remained publicly funded by Fraser Health so that it remains open to everyone in our community who requires hospice care and end-of-life services.
During my evenings and on the weekends, I make an effort to attend every large event in town, using my auctioneering skills to raise money for our beloved community groups and non-profits, such as the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation and Reach Child & Youth Development Society.
I have periodically used my constituency office to jump into the trenches on issues like dredging by hosting a townhall, tabling a petition to the Legislative Assembly, and rallying media outlets to cover this critical issue.
It has also been important for me to create a constituency office built to help you. In fact, I am the only MLA in the province open to the public, without an appointment, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday. I was elected to serve YOU, and I am pleased to say my dedicated staff will do everything they can to find a solution to the issue you are facing. The breadth of what the constituency office can support residents with is remarkable.
My team has advocated to have a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Fraser Health, fought for more supports to benefit kids with clubfoot and students with autism, helped people find a family doctor who have complex care needs, secured interprovincial transfers for seniors in long-term care so they can age closer to home with their families, and fought for parents trying to help their children with mental health and addictions.
In my time, I have also heard heartbreaking stories about families struggling to support a loved one living with dementia, palliative care patients being denied funding of cancer drugs, and young couples struggling to start a family turning to in-vitro fertilization treatments with no ability to cover the costs. People have placed their trust in me at the highest and lowest moments of their lives and it is a consistent reminder of why I try my best to make a real difference for people. Your stories are the heartbeat of our community and what drives change in our province.
My office will remain open to the public for services and inquiries during the election period. As of September 21, I will transition to running as an MLA candidate in the provincial election. Even though I will no longer be in the office, I am choosing to keep it open to serve you.
Thank you again for your trust and for allowing me to advocate for you over the past eight years.
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