I want to represent the people of Columbia River-Revelstoke, and not simply push the agenda of a political party. I want to know that every single time I vote or speak in the legislative assembly, that I am doing my best to represent the constituents of my riding. I am putting my name forward because I do not believe that rural ridings have adequate representation, and that because of this, the citizens in rural areas are disengaging from BC politics altogether. But I hope to change that. The political parties here in BC tell their MLAs how to vote, and limit their ability to speak, but I will be exclusively and always, accountable to you. (Check out this link that shows how your MLA votes to see what I am talking about: https://www.imagine-x.ca/votes)
I was born and raised in Kimberley, and was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by family, friends, and a close-knit community. My young life was spent indulging in BC’s beautiful outdoors, through my time as a Scout (including receiving my chief scout award), to summer nights at the family cabin in Moyie. During my life so far, I have experienced many different types of jobs, from night shift clerk at 7Eleven, to a Behavioral Interventionist working to help young children with autism. I have had times where I could barely pay my bills, and I have had times of prosperity. Now, I am fortunate enough to make a comfortable living, working for a commercial roofing company (Western Roofing Master Roofers) and this work has brought me all over the riding. To this day I still love camping and spending time outdoors, and am thankful to continue to live in a place with so much wild beauty to offer and I plan to protect it!
Over the last few years I have become increasingly interested in politics at all levels. It began as simple research, but my desire to understand is always growing, and I know that I am at my best when I am learning. A year before the last federal election I joined a federal electoral district association for the party that most closely emulated my beliefs at the time. Through my new role I got to learn how the parties operate, and where their platforms come from. I followed policies from the stage of creation, all the way through to a national policy convention. At this convention some interesting things happened. Many good plans that could help the entire country were made into official policy, but all local issues, since they were not in the interest of the party as a whole, were voted down. As an independent, I cannot be constrained by party rules, and will speak out on behalf of my constituents, no matter what. Your best interest is my best interest.