Candidate profile: NDP candidate Cynthia Egli

Egli has had to play catchup the last couple of weeks as a rookie politician. While she has her core NDP beliefs, she’s been reading up on the party’s platform.

“It’s a huge learning curve. It’s not even a curve, it’s like a steep uphill battle,” said Egli. “I have Terry Lake and Cathy McLeod [as competitors]. They’re both great politicians. They’re good at what they do. By watching them, and watching Iain [Currie] and all the others, I feel that I’m learning.”

Egli has heard affordability among seniors, young people, and everyone in between is a big issue. Away from politics, the mother of two daughters is a mediator of family disputes. Egli is also an elected member of the B.C. Government Employees Union.

“I’m an activist and my personal qualities I believe I’m a leader. I am pretty fear,less” she said. “I’ll sign up for stuff and figure out how I’m going to get there.”

It’s what she says would make her a good Member of Parliament for the riding.

“I think the constituents will tell you what they want and you have to figure out how to get there,” said Egli.

Some have said Egli, only 16 days into politics, is the weak link in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding among the big four parties.

“I might be the weak link in their mind. People have the right to think that. I kind of look at it the other way. Maybe I’m an underdog, but the race isn’t over.”

CANDIDATE Q&A

Ahead of the 2019 federal election vote, CFJC Today reached out to each candidate in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding for their positions on local issues. Here is NDP candidate Cynthia Egli’s responses.

In your view, what is an MP’s most important responsibility?

“Obviously to create a broad network of contacts throughout the riding in order to understand what issues exist and what people expect their federal rep to do for them. This means I need to constantly learn about federal statutes and responsibilities, provincial statutes and responsibilities, municipal statutes and responsibilities so I can ensure people get the help and advice they need. Then at the other end I’ll need to learn what federal supports exist so I can lobby for them and bring them back to our community.”

What are the biggest issues people in our riding have? How would you address those?

“Right now, the downturn in the Forestry sector is impacting many, many families. We’ve known boom and bust cycles here forever and it’s time to ensure that when people lose their jobs they have real opportunities to be retrained into jobs that will last. We have a plan to change EI rules to allow for benefits while being retrained so families can survive a retraining period, and allow people to retrain even BEFORE they lose their jobs. We have a plan to pay for all of this as well.”

If you were to be elected and then appointed as a federal minister, which department do you believe you would excel in and why?

“My work with the BC Government has been in the area of conflict resolution and mediation for families in crisis. I’ve experienced the challenges of finding appropriate care for my mother. I care deeply about reconciliation with First Nations and welcoming new Canadians to our communities. I’d welcome the opportunity to work within the Seniors or Veterans ministry, the Immigration or Aboriginal Affairs ministry, and the Ministry of Family, Children and Social Development.”

How would your party address the family doctor shortage in our region?

“This is a complex and multi-level challenge. We need to make rural doctor jobs more attractive. We could fund more spaces for rural doctor programs at our universities and give them a bonus for the first 5 years.”

How would your party address the opioid crisis?

“Declare a public health emergency, stop criminalizing addiction and work with provincial governments to expand access to treatment.”

How would your party address climate change?

“Set ambitious emission targets, retrofit existing buildings and ensure new buildings are energy-efficient. Cut oil and gas subsidies and reinvest that money in green jobs for a carbon-free world.”

How would your party address affordability for young families?

“Decrease cell and internet costs, invest in more child-care spaces, build more affordable housing units and create a universal pharmacare program.”

by Ashley Legassic

Candidate profile: NDP candidate Cynthia Egli

CANDIDATE Q&A

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