Linda Larson was sworn in June 11 as the new MLA for Boundary-Similkameen at the legislature in Victoria. To the left is Premier Christy Clark and on the right is Craig James, Clerk of the B.C. Legislature. Larson was also named as deputy whip to the Liberal caucus and she is also the new provincial secretary for seniors under the Ministry of Health.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark (left) congratulates Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, after Larson was sworn in at the legislature.
BC Premier Christy Clark has given newly elected MLA Linda Larson a portfolio that seems like a perfect fit for the long-time volunteer.
Larson is now the provincial secretary for seniors under the Ministry of Health. This will allow her to work with seniors throughout the province to ensure they can properly access services.
She will also make recommendations to the minister on how to improve health care services for this segment of the population.
“I’ve been volunteering for seniors’ organizations for the last 20 years. When you live in a small town, you recognize the value of seniors.”
Larson can often be seen serving tea to seniors at various events in the South Okanagan and she plans to continue doing that when she’s not sitting in the legislature.
Larson said there are more seniors in the Boundary-Similkameen than in any other riding in B.C. She noted that seniors are faced with a lot of challenges in rural communities, challenges such as health care, housing and transportation.
This is what many seniors brought to her attention during her recent campaign.
Larson said these issues are top of mind for most people in the riding, noting what she can do for seniors will benefit everyone.
Learning the ropes of a new MLA is like going back to school, Larson said.
“It’s no different than becoming a mayor with no experience … you learn as you go and learn from other people.”
If you thought Larson was busy before, wait until she’s in the thick of things in Victoria. She’ll be cracking the whip, so to speak, as the new “deputy whip,” making sure BC Liberal MLAs represent their constituents in the legislature.
Whips are appointed to help organize their caucuses’ parliamentary business. They are responsible for ensuring members vote and participate in legislative business including debates, motions and committee work.
“It’s an honour to be chosen as deputy whip and serve on a great team of returning veterans and new faces,” said Larson. “This election proved that votes cannot be taken for granted.”
As much as Larson enjoys committee work in the South Okanagan, she has to give a lot of it up now. For example, she is stepping down from the Sunnybank ladies auxiliary, although she plans to continue volunteering by planting flowers.
Larson also plans to continue helping the Women of Oliver for Women (WOW) organization and its annual trade show.
“I don’t want to give that up,” she said emphatically.
Larson’s recent swearing-in ceremony in Victoria left her in awe because she felt part of a long history.
“I was thinking, don’t trip on the way up, don’t drop your pen, and don’t sign on someone else’s line . . . just go back to your seat without making a fool of yourself.”
The next thing on Larson’s plate is being called back to the legislature to deal with the budget.
As far as Oliver council is concerned, she will officially resign in mid-August. At that point the town will prepare for a by-election set for some time in the fall.
Recently, Larson was seen in Osoyoos supporting the museum’s 50th anniversary and the Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue (OOSAR) fundraiser.
But where does her husband Larry fit in all of this?
“He’s my driver on occasion (but he doesn’t get a tip). He’ll just become more in charge at home than he was before,” Larson said with a laugh.
As far as representing her constituents, the new MLA has been dealing with their concerns since she began her election campaign.
Constituents with concerns or problems can contact Larson at [email protected].
Larson said people must realize that MLAs don’t have special powers to solve any problem.
“We can’t pay your phone bill, and we can’t change the law.”
But she noted MLAs can speak on people’s behalf if they can’t speak for themselves.
Basically, an MLA is a conduit for people to get the type of information they need to solve their dilemmas, Larson said.
BY LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
