Cariboo-Chilcotin sees possible premier seek re-election

“Healthcare, hospital has been closed 39 times, the challenges that have been before residents in the Cariboo are certainly very serious situations that have developed,” said Doerkson of the issues in his home riding. “Particuallaly with the outposts, right, so closures even in the west Chilcotin.”

The closest the NDP have come to flipping the riding was in 2009, when the election was decided by fewer than 100 votes, since then a descending vote share to around 30 per cent.

“I think we need an alternative to the conservatives,” said Askew. “Honestly the three current conservative groups concern me because it’s hard to tell what they stand for anymore. when they were BC Liberals we sort of knew what their values were. But this group of three has attracted people to politics that Diefenbaker would be rolling in his grave over.”

The Green Party didn’t contest the riding in 2024, and in 2020 earned 10 per cent of ballots cast to finish third.

“Quite frankly I think anybody who is promoting more fossil fuel use and more infrastructure for fossil fuels should also have to list the next five town that are most likely to burn next summer,” said Gook.

The NDP and Green’s know their in tough in a Tory stronghold and facing a potential premier.

“I guess I would like to go back to Lorne Doerkson because he seems like a nice person but I can’t tell what he stands for,” added Askew. “I’ve heard people in the riding talk about him as a guy who shows up for special events.”

“It’s hard to know exactly who the next leader of the conservative party will be tomorrow, or the week after because of the kind of turmoil and uncertainty and number of sharpened knives that are flying around on that side of the spectrum,” said Gook.

B.C. has thrice seen a Cariboo MLA serve as premier, but not since our 9th Premier John Robson in 1892.

“I certainly understand the challenges of rural B.C. and I’ve always been an advocate,” said Doerkson. “I obviously was the shadow minister for rural development for a while and was pretty focused on supporting all of our small communities in British Columbia, and I can assure you that won’t change.”

by Michael Reeve

Cariboo-Chilcotin sees possible premier seek re-election

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