Bert Chen, the Conservative Party of B.C. candidate in Cowichan Valley, says his forestry knowledge and experience could help grow the local economy if elected MLA.
The party has pledged to seek up to $10 million for infrastructure at the former Crofton mill site, including a potential municipal water system and expanded vehicle waiting lanes at the Crofton ferry terminal.
“This is after years of issues being raised from the Municipality of North Cowichan regarding infrastructure that supplies the local town’s drinking water as well as traffic congestion related to the ferry terminal,” Chen said.
Chen said his priorities would include supporting the forestry sector and recruiting doctors to work at the new hospital.
“Building a hospital without having enough staff is just short sighted so I would have definitely focused on that. We talk about forestry – a BC Conservative government would have built the investor confidence so that the forestry sector never would have been hit as hard as it was under the NDP and also our approach to public safety and funding police officers and our justice system reforms for repeat offenders would have certainly addressed some of the issues regarding crime and homelessness in urban areas like Duncan,” he said.
Chen said the Conservatives are also disappointed by the early election and would introduce legislation to prevent provincial and municipal elections from overlapping.
“I think British Columbians want change. They have seen the disastrous policies of the NDP finally coming home to roost after nine years and we are a government in waiting. We have the skills, we have the policies that will get B.C. back on track.”
The party’s constitution prevents an interim leader from becoming premier. Chen said the constitution could be amended or the party could hold a leadership race if it wins enough seats to form government.
“I am confident however that in either situation, there are methods such as perhaps asking the membership if they want to go to a leadership race – which I highly doubt if Lorne is successful as our premier,” he said.
The provincial election is Oct. 24.
