The provincial media has been dominated in recent weeks by coverage of the B.C. Liberal and B.C. NDP leadership races. It's an exciting time for our province - and for Squamish residents.
One of the candidates for the leadership of the B.C. Liberals has been especially good to our community, and I am proud to support his campaign.
I've known Kevin Falcon for six years and have always found him very open and receptive to the needs of Squamish residents.
It was then-Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon who led the way on the $600 million upgrade to the Sea to Sky Highway, ensuring that local objectives like east-west connectivity were protected. That project came in on time, and on budget, and some savvy construction techniques minimized the negative impacts on those driving it.
Sometimes we can forget how bad, how frightening that road used to be. We shouldn't take that investment for granted. Nor should we ignore the provincial government's other important investments in Squamish.
As Health Minister, Kevin Falcon oversaw the opening of the $3 million Squamish General Hospital Emergency Department last January. He then announced that it would be renamed for Dr. LaVerne Kindree, who so many long-time Squamish residents knew and loved. It's those little touches, those thoughtful things, that make Kevin a great leader. He listens to what people in communities like ours are saying, and brings those ideas to completion.
Last week, Kevin rolled out his Public Safety Plan (available at www.kevinfalcon.com), and included this priority: "Partner with local police forces to go after any proceeds of crime over $10,000, and return 50 per cent of assets seized to local government to support local policing. Criminals should have to prove that their assets were purchased with legal money - if they can't, police should seize them."
This would be a big boost for our local police. By returning 50 per cent of criminals' assets to local communities, we can fund more police officers without relying on property taxes.
Voting directly for a Premier is not something we get to do very often. Whatever your political stripe, I hope you take the time to learn more about the candidates on both sides of the legislature.
Becoming a B.C. Liberal Party member is very simple. Before Feb. 4, join the party at www.bcliberals.com (it takes two minutes and costs $10). Then you have a direct vote for the next Premier of British Columbia. I'm voting for Kevin Falcon, and I hope you will, too.
