Lorne Doerkson (image credit - Global)

By Michael Reeve

BC ELECTION 2024

With a riding that touches Tobiano, Ashcroft and Anahim Lake, Cariboo-Chilcotin’s Doerkson focused on health care and industry

Oct 16, 2024 | 6:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Cariboo-Chilcotin riding, like many in the region, saw massive boundary changes, now including the communities of Ashcroft and Cache Creek, along with Tobiano and Cherry Creek just west of Kamloops.

The election will be a two-horse race between the NDP and Conservatives. Representing the Tories is Lorne Doerkson, once acclaimed as the BC United candidate in the riding before crossing the floor prior to the United collapse in August. While the riding is one of the most vast in British Columbia, the challenges faced by residents are consistent, according to Doerkson.

“Obviously, health care is ubiquitous right across the riding. There is concern from Tatla Lake right into Savona. I think that is a pretty common theme throughout the entire riding. Williams Lake and 100 Mile House have had pretty significant closures on our hospital and, obviously, Ashcroft has had some challenges as well,” Doerkson told CFJC News.

Doerkson noted the difference within his riding is very much rural BC versus more urban areas, saying he’s heard concerns of residents feeling they have been forgotten.

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With industry a major economic driver across the riding, Doerkson believes the Tories’ platform on permitting can be impactful for residents, with the promise of ‘one permit for one project’.

“The frustration is that our economy is being stifled under a permitting process that is absolutely destroying our province,” said Doerkson. “There are thousands of permits that have been delayed — and when I say delayed, I mean a long time. I have seen permits as old as seven years. Of course, once that permit is approved that next thing that happens is a spending spree like you have never seen before.”

The other candidate in Cariboo-Chilcotin, Michael Moses of the NDP, did not respond to multiple requests for an interview ahead of our story.