Columbia River Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok announced his decision to seek re-election this week. He, along with Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka, made the announcements Wednesday, October 25 from Victoria.
Clovechok has been serving as MLA since 2017.
The Kimberley Bulletin caught up with Clovechok by phone from the Victoria airport as he prepared to fly back to the riding. He said he’s really excited to run again.
“When I ran for the first time back in 2013, someone asked me what I could promise them. I said to them, two things. I will never lie to you and I will work my butt off for you.
“If the fine folks of Columbia River Revelstoke elect me again, it would be my privilege to serve them.”
CRR has grown in size since the last election with a few rural areas around Cranbrook, such as Gold Creek and Jim Smith Lake added.
Clovechok says he has visited the areas to start to get to know people. Columbia River Revelstoke is a rural riding and he believes the new voters will fit in just fine.
He is also excited about running under the leadership of Kevin Falcon, who he says has been working very hard and will continue to do so in the run up to the election.
“I fully expect we will form the next government,” Clovechok said.
One thing the party will be working hard on is getting people to recognize the new brand, BC United. It will take some time to get people familiar with the new name. The party was formerly known as at the BC Liberals.
“We changed the name, not the party,” he said.
Clovechok feels there is still plenty to get done, though he feels proud of what he’s been able to accomplish already, even though he’s in opposition.
On the to-do list is the Alberta health care issue, and finding ways to allow more residents of eastern B.C. to access health care in that province. Clovechok will be in Alberta next week and hopes to meet with their health minister.
He also wants to continue to find ways to deal with the challenge of affordability and the public safety issues around the legalization of harder drugs. And he will continue to do that work, along with travelling the riding and campaigning.
“If you work hard for people, the work pays off,” he said.
“I am delighted to have Doug and Tom running once again under the BC United banner,” said Falcon. “Their commitment to their constituents and their extensive track record of service is remarkable. I am proud to have them as part of our experienced team, working tirelessly to bring about positive change for the people of British Columbia on the issues that matter most such as the cost of living, public safety, health care, infrastructure, and mental health and addictions supports.”