Oliver Councillor Linda Larson plans to take a leave of absence for 28 days during the May election as she seeks to win the Boundary-Similkameen riding for the Liberals.
“Until the 28 days start I will continue with all my current activities,” Larson told the Chronicle last week.
When asked why she was throwing her hat in the provincial arena, Larson said, “The party was confident that I could represent this riding considering my years of experience with all kinds of boards and committees that were business focused.”
Larson couldn’t say what hasn’t been done that should or could have been done in the riding during former MLA John Slater’s tenure.
When asked about the party’s treatment of Slater, who was dropped from the nomination, Larson said she believes the party made the right decision for both the people of this riding and for Slater.
But former NDP candidate Marji Basso disagreed. “It is unfortunate that the Liberal Party has treated their incumbent and local membership with such disrespect.”
Basso acknowledged the four years of service Slater has given to the riding.
As for Slater, who was dumped by the Liberals, he won’t run in the upcoming election. “
“This brutal experience has shown me how tough smear and fear-based politics can be on people and their families. It is too high a price to pay, at least for me.”
Slater said we have reached a profoundly disturbing point in BC politics. “I cannot put my family or myself through the continual barrage of innuendos and smear which have been launched against me, and which will continue until I withdraw as a candidate in the upcoming provincial election. So I say, ‘enough.’”
On January 16 the BC Liberals officially announced that Larson will be the party’s candidate in Boundary-Similkameen.
“I’m proud to be running for the BC Liberals under Premier Christy Clark,” said Larson. “The premier has shown tremendous resilience in the position, and I know she is the right choice to continue leading British Columbia.”
Larson is currently the chair of the provincial board at Community Futures, and previously served on BC’s Small Business Roundtable from 2005 to 2011.
“People in this community want a representative that will stand up for a strong economy and family supporting jobs,” added Larson. “BC must continue moving forward on a responsible economic path that keeps taxes low and spending under control.”
Larson will be formally nominated on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Oliver legion hall. She previously served as mayor of Oliver and owned three businesses here. She is an active volunteer and is a member and past-president of Sunnybank Ladies Auxiliary.