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By Chad Klassen

NEW BC LIBERAL LEADERSHIP

Local MLAs backing new interim leader of B.C Liberal party

Nov 23, 2020 | 5:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — Veteran MLA from Prince George Shirley Bond will lead the B.C Liberal party until the next full-time leader is chosen.

Bond has been an MLA for nearly two decades, starting her public service in 2001. Now it’s her job to right a ship in the B.C. Liberal Party that lost 13 seats as it transitions to its second leader in two years.

“There’s a lot of hard work ahead. In the immediate short term, we will wait for the announcement of the John Horgan cabinet, and then we’ll spend some time working to establish critic portfolios to members of our caucus.”

Kamloops South-Thompson, and Kamloops North-Thompson MLAs Todd Stone and Peter Milobar know that Bond’s veteran leadership in the Liberal caucus is going to be a steadying presence.

“There was certainly a few people being considered by caucus in terms of the role, and ultimately what goes on in the room stays confidential. It’s much like a cabinet room,” notes Milobar, “But certainly, Shirley was far and away the choice of caucus and we’ve all rallied around Shirley.”

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Milobar was in the conversation to take over as the interim leader before the caucus chose Bond.

“This is an individual who is absolutely passionate about what she does. She loves this province. She’s very loyal to the province and to her party,” said Stone, “Nobody works harder than Shirley Bond, so I’m excited to get back at it.”

Milobar says he knows the party needs to come together quickly to be the best opposition it can to Premier John Horgan when the Legislature resumes Dec. 7.

“This upcoming budget is going to be critical. There’s going to be a lot of spending in it. We need to make sure it’s got accountability to that spending,” says Milobar, “Yes, COVID-19 is incredibly important, but that doesn’t give a blank cheque to government, and it doesn’t come without scrutiny. So we have to make sure things are being rolled out properly.”

Beyond the immediate future, the next step will be picking a permanent leader to guide the party into the next election in 2024. Stone, who finished fourth in the last leadership race in 2018, is leaning towards another run. However, he feels the focus right now should be on the party healing after such a sound defeat.

“Reaching out to the grassroots again, reconnecting with the people in every constituency around this province to really understand or ask for that feedback, and try to understand how did we get to where we are today, and as importantly – where do we go from here?”