It’s been a few weeks now since the municipal elections took place across British Columbia so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the candidates who ran a campaign and congratulate those who were elected into municipal, regional district, and school board positions.
I can tell you from experience that running for public office and serving the public is a venture that can be a challenging and exhausting one, but certainly a worthwhile and meaningful one.
As the local provincial MLA, I am looking forward to working with all the newly elected individuals in their respective roles and am hoping to continue the great relationships with those who were re-elected. Here in the Cariboo we have so much to be proud of and I know that everyone who ran for a position must feel the same sense of pride for our beautiful area of the province and respect for the people who call it home.
Moving forward we face challenges and there will be tough decisions ahead, but working together is the best way for us to accomplish what is best for our region and the people living here. I have seen and experienced how well municipal and provincial levels of government can work together from both sides and will strive to continue building and strengthening that relationship.
I couldn’t talk about the local elections without congratulating everyone who took part in the democratic process and cast their vote. I’m proud that rural communities were among the highest in voter turnout. You’ve participated in an important process, one that many take for granted, and I thank you for taking part.
So moving forward, the challenges we face as a country, as a province, and as individual communities will never cease, but I’m confident that working together collaboratively we can find ways to solve the issues we face, and keep B.C. one of the best places to call home.
Donna Barnett is the Liberal MLA for the Cariboo-Chilcotin.