We have an entry in the NDP nomination race as the ballot in this fall’s federal election race in the Kamloops Thompson continues to form up.
Gina Myhill-Jones is a rancher who lives outside of 100 Mile House and says after volunteering it was time to do more to help her community and this region.
“I would really like to see some genuine action addressing issues that affect everybody across the entire riding like housing. Making housing affordable and making it available. Pharmacare is a big issue for me. A lot of the people I am used to seeing day to day in my community need that help. If you have full coverage you wouldn’t even notice but a lot of people don’t.”
Does she see the fact she hails from the Cariboo part of the riding with the other party’s candidates so far all being from Kamloops as making any difference?
“I don’t think so. If you look at most of the communities within the riding there is a connection that is there. We may be, in 100 Mile House, more immediately connected to ranching and forestry but really it is a small enough area.”
As a relative political unknown does she see it as a problem facing long time Conservative incumbent Cathy McLeod or potential Liberal candidate Terry Lake, both of whom are very well known?
“Let me just say as long as I have been in the riding Cathy McLeod has been my MP. So we will just leave that at that. Terry Lake came to my attention a few years ago when he was provincially involved in trying to set up private surgical care. So we will leave that for now.”
Myhill-Jones says it is time for change with a new party and a new leader in Jagmeet Singh.
“Canadians need to be served by a Government that puts Canadians and Canadian interests first,” she said. “And I would welcome the opportunity to represent the riding of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo as a member of the only Party I believe to be dedicated to serving, with integrity, the interests of all Canadians.”
She is anticipating a close race this fall and is unsure if she will face competition for the NDP nomination.