By Lyonel Doherty

No matter the smell, if MLA Linda Larson had the gumption to miraculously move fish, she would do it to please her constituents.

But that really isn’t in her job description.

The local politician recently sat down with the Chronicle to reflect on 2019 and its highlights.

The ongoing issue, she said, was ICBC.

“ICBC as you know is always a hot topic (which is causing people no end of concern).”

Larson said people continue to express grief about the cost and the fact there is no competition.

“Specifically, it’s really, really tough on new drivers (young drivers). I think it’s out of line to ask somebody who’s a new driver to pay $5,000 for their insurance.”

Economically, the South Okanagan is holding its own, Larson said, noting she doesn’t see a lot of people coming through the door saying they just lost their job.

“There seems to be a shortage of people to work in lots of areas (judging by the help wanted signs).”

The MLA said her focus this fall has been small business. For example, she started taking pictures of business owners and uploading them to her Facebook page.

“Every week we feature one or two different businesses in the area. That has gone over extraordinarily well; that’s something we have literally had thousands of hits on, and I’m going to keep doing it.”

Larson said small businesses have been the hardest hit by government policy (taxes, red tape, etc.).

“They’re the ones that, really, we depend on to survive in the Okanagan.”

She stated the smallest change such as raising minimum wage or the employer’s health tax can often be the tipping point for their survival.

Larson was asked what kind of quirky requests she receives from constituents. Well, where does she start?

Actually, her assistant Pat Vermiere handles a lot of standard requests, many of which relate to filling out forms for grants, pensions, etc. Vermiere helps people access funds for various things such as how to make their home more accessible. She also gives information on how to watch out for the latest scams making the rounds.

But what about the strange requests?

“We do get really quirky ones. Somebody wanted me personally to go and move the fish from one spot in the Fraser (where the fish were blocked). I was to go and carry the fish over the dam to the other side.”

Some people literally demand that she take action on issues that she can’t possibly do. So, she explains the protocol; sending an email or letter to her office and she will forward it to the minister responsible.

“We’ll make sure you get an answer. Because we can’t fix these things (right away).”

Larson said they also get people who have run afoul of the law and want her to pull some strings to get their driver’s licence back.

Another frequent request is people looking for family doctors. She said the new find-a-doctor registry in the South Okanagan is getting reasonably good results.

“From what I’m hearing people are getting a doctor to see within less than six months.”

Larson admitted it is more difficult to do her job in opposition, but she has managed to walk a very fine line and keep a good working relationship with the ministers responsible for most of what comes across her desk.

“I have never been refused a meeting with the minister or the minister’s staff to discuss an issue.”

She said some MLAs have been at loggerheads with ministers on certain issues.

“I have always believed from day one that my number one job is the people I represent. I don’t care who I have to beg in order to help them.”