Part 1 – All-candidates Q&A for Boundary-Similkameen

As part of our BC Election 2024 coverage the Times Chronicle will feature two sets of all-candidates Q&A featuring the four candidates running for the MLA seat representing riding of Boundary-Similkameen. Candidates that responded are listed in alphabetical order (surname) and each candidate’s answer for each question is limited to a maximum of 170 words.

The first appeared in the print edition on Thursday, Oct. 10 with the second scheduled for Oct. 17. Of the four candidates one Independent and one Green Party candidate did not reply prior to the deadline.

 

1. Healthcare – The current healthcare crisis is clearly a complex issue with a long history of antecedents.

In terms of creating a meaningful impact what are the key pieces of this puzzle that should be addressed a/ immediately and b/ longer term?

 

Roly Russell, BC NDP

Addressing the healthcare crisis requires a comprehensive approach focused on system redesign, training, recruitment, and retention. 

We need accessible health-care now, which is why we’ve increased investments in home-based care and launched a travel assistance program that covers mileage upfront for those travelling for care—bringing people to care and care to people.

We’ve expanded the scope of pharmacists to ease pressure on other healthcare professionals and boosted recruitment incentives for rural placements. Oliver and Grand Forks needed immediate action, and I fought successfully to deliver it. Expanding team-based care models is another key step we’re taking, and the new UPCC is part of the solution. I advocated for – and we delivered – a new payment model for local ER physicians to better support them.

Long-term, we’re building a new medical school, strengthening partnerships with post-secondary institutions for training, and streamlining processes for internationally trained graduates. Expanding telehealth services in remote areas like the Boundary further supports care. The Conservative plan to cut the budget and privatise is deeply concerning for BC’s healthcare future.

 

Donegal Wilson, Conservative Party of BC

The healthcare crisis is the top concern I’ve heard from people in Boundary Similkameen. The NDP’s approach isn’t working. Healthcare professionals feel unsupported, buried in paperwork, and our communities often lack access to basic services like a family doctor or an open Emergency Department.

Immediately, we need to address staffing shortages by increasing residency positions for doctors and providing incentives to attract healthcare professionals to rural areas. We will rehire healthcare workers who were removed due to personal healthcare decisions and expand support for nurses and allied health professionals to prevent burnout.

Longer term, our “Patients First” model will shift to a patient-based funding approach, ensuring resources reach the front lines. By reducing administrative overhead and empowering both public and non-governmental facilities, we can deliver better care. Our focus is on keeping emergency rooms open, ensuring every British Columbian has a family doctor, and restoring a healthcare system that truly serves the people.

 

2. Toxic Drug Crisis – The toxic drug crisis has killed more than 15,000 people since it was declared a public health emergency in 2016.

What is your view on combating this crisis and do you support the idea of involuntary treatment?

 

Roly Russell, BC NDP

The toxic drug crisis is devastating our communities, affecting rural areas just as much as urban ones. We need to ease the pain of mental illness while ending tragic deaths from poisoned drugs. Combating this crisis requires a compassionate, health-focused approach. As Desmond Tutu [South African Anglican bishop and human rights activist] suggested, we must not only pull people out of the river but also go upstream to prevent them from falling in.

Expanding harm reduction measures like safe consumption sites and access to clean supplies is vital, but we must also create accessible, publicly funded treatment options, from detox through to after-care. This includes expanding Foundry centres for youth and ensuring every school has a dedicated mental health counsellor.

Increasing treatment options in rural communities and providing supportive housing are also key. Involuntary treatment should be a last resort when someone is a danger to themselves or others, with the focus on voluntary support first. Cutting funding to these programs isn’t just socially harmful—it costs taxpayers more in emergency services and hospitalizations in the long run.

 

Donegal Wilson, Conservative Party of BC

The Conservative Party of BC opposes the current approach of free drug distribution and safe supply, which fails to address the root causes of addiction. We need to get people off drugs—not normalize addiction. Our emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and healthcare workers lack the resources to connect people with effective treatment options.

The focus should be on treatment, recovery, and mental health support. Expanding access to detox and rehabilitation programs is essential, along with providing support for families impacted by addiction.

Our plan includes reopening mental health facilities, implementing Compassionate Intervention Legislation, and ensuring resources are directed toward long-term recovery, not temporary fixes.

It’s time to prioritize real help that addresses underlying issues and offers individuals and their families a path to an addiction-free life.

 

 

3. Crime – Recent polling of British Columbians indicates the vast majority feel the level of criminal activity in their community has increased, but in actual fact, Statistics Canada data shows a more mixed picture with violent crime down 4.3 per cent while non-violent crimes increased nearly 7 per cent.

What in your view needs to change in terms of policing/criminal justice system?

 

Roly Russell, BC NDP

While perceptions of crime have shifted, trends show a more complex picture. Addressing community safety and crime prevention requires strengthening community policing models and ensuring resources are directed to where they’re needed most. This is particularly important in communities like Midway or Greenwood, which struggle with limited policing capacity.

As Tony Blair [former British PM] said, we need to be tough on crime and tough on the roots of crime. We’re cracking down on money laundering, gang violence, sex trafficking, and unexplained wealth, and led the push against the Feds for bail reform for repeat offenders. Those causing the greatest chaos on our streets need to be in prison. Yet our expansion of social services, particularly mental health and addiction support, also addresses the underlying causes of crime.

The BCNDP’s investment in supportive housing and complex care housing make a difference, but more needs to be done: reforming the criminal justice system to include restorative justice practices piloted in rural BC can reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for both victims and offenders.

Donegal Wilson, Conservative Party of BC

I am hearing clearly from our communities that they do not feel safe, and our rural lifestyle is at risk. There is a growing sense that crime is out of control, and this has only worsened under NDP leadership.

The issue is clear: repeat criminals are not being held accountable, and soft-on-crime policies are allowing dangerous individuals back onto our streets. We need to restore confidence in public safety by reforming our justice system to prioritize victims, not offenders. This means ending “catch-and-release” bail policies that put violent offenders back into our communities and appointing judges who focus on public safety and victims’ rights.

The Conservative Party of BC will also introduce mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes and ensure prolific offenders face real consequences. We will invest in community-based policing, increase the number of front-line officers, and provide them with the resources needed to enforce the law effectively. It’s time to bring safety back to our communities.

 

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Kevin Eastwood, BC Green Party

This candidate for the MLA seat of Boundary-Similkameen did not submit their response prior to the deadline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean Taylor, Independent

This candidate for the MLA seat of Boundary-Similkameen did not submit their response prior to the deadline.