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Cariboo North NDP candidate: Duncan Barnett

Duncan Barnett is running with the NDP because he believes the NPD can do better in the province.
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Duncan Barnett is running for the NDP in Cariboo North.

My name is Duncan Barnett.  I am applying for the job of MLA for Cariboo North.

I’m running with the NDP because I believe we can do better in this province — in terms of how we treat people, how we manage our economy, and how we care for our environment.  It’s time for a change in B.C.

My wife Jane and I live at Miocene on the Horsefly Road in the family home I helped build as a teenager, where we have raised our three daughters Lindsay, Heather and Kate.

We own and operate a ranching business in the Miocene/Horsefly area. My family has a strong background in the Cariboo.  My grandfather worked in the sawmill and lumber business and my father was a provincial court judge in Williams Lake and Quesnel.

My mother was a teacher and counselling psychologist in the school district. My wife is a social worker.  I have worked in the region for much of my life — from the bunkhouse to the boardroom.  Before going to university and getting a degree in agricultural economics, I explored the province and worked in almost all our natural resource sectors, including commercial fishing, logging, sawmills, guide outfitting, oil and gas drilling, and ranching.

I began working in the Cariboo as a professional agrologist in the early 1990s and worked for Ducks Unlimited and the Fraser Basin Council.

I was involved with treaty negotiations and took a position as manager of Aboriginal Affairs with the Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers’ Association.

I was a Cariboo Regional District director for the Horsefly, Likely, Big Lake, 150 Mile and Williams Lake Fringe area from 2000 until 2010. My experience taught me the importance of working with a team to get things done to build our communities.  I worked hard with other board members to make improvements to our recreation facilities, develop the Central Cariboo engineered landfill at Gibralter Mine, and to provide support for rural communities with community halls, fire departments, and libraries. We created policies for the development of agricultural land and initiatives to help producers deal with the BSE crisis and invasive plants.

We ensured that residential development respected our lakes, rivers and streams.

I successfully encouraged the CRD board to move into new areas such as economic development, heritage, and arts and culture.

I was taught that giving back to my community is important.

I have been a 4H leader and served on my community association. I have also been active on several provincial industry and professional organizations which has provided me with experience and insight into natural resource legislation, regulation and policy.

My ties to the Cariboo, my experience in resource industries, and my determination to make things better in our communities will make me an effective MLA. I will work hard as part of a new NDP government to bring the change we need in the Cariboo.