"On the Job"
MLA drops by Village for meet and greet
It the lead-up to this month's snap election, sitting Member of the Legislature for West Vancouver - Sea to Sky Jeremy Valeriote visited Lions Bay last Thursday evening to answer questions from constituents.
The meet and greet event was held at the home of long-time residents Robin Spano and Keith Whybrow, on a gorgeous evening with a view of Howe Sound in the background. Along with neighbours and Green party supporters, several of the local municipal candidates attended to chat with local residents and Valeriote.
Topics discussed included Valeriote's focus on nature-driven initiatives (including ways to support the bear population, important to the MLA who makes his home in Whistler), concerns about facilities for seniors needing assistance and the continuing need for regional transit improvements.
Since taking the seat in the 2022 provincial election, Valeriote has been an active participant in the legislature, as one of two elected members of his party.
"No one was looking for this election," Valeriote said, "but I'm very happy to be running again. After only two years, I feel like we should be just getting on with the job at hand, but here we are."
Resident John Dudley said he attended the event to show his support for the MLA and added that Valeriote was among the first to reach out after the deaths of Barb and David Enns in the Battani Creek disaster, and then spoke in support of their family in the Legislature.
Incumbent councillor Neville Abbott thanked Valeriote for the time he's spent addressing Village issues. "Since you've been elected, we've had more access to our MLA than ever before," he said.
Rose Dudley, who is a member of the local hiking group, noted that the MLA had joined the group in the summer on a trek to Tunnel Bluffs to discuss concerns about trail maintenance and parking.
Afterward, Valeriote said he was impressed by the steps Lions Bay has taken to provide clear parking guidance, informative signage, and toilets at the Sunset Drive trailhead.
"We discussed the idea that if visitors feel welcome and understand the priorities of local residents, they are more likely to treat the area with respect, and I would be keen to hear Lions Bay residents’ views on this."
Valeriote is one of four candidates running for the West Vancouver - Sea To Sky riding. These include Michelle Livaja with the BC NDP, Ayla Dumais of the Conservative Party of British Columbia and Dan Wood for CentreBC.
The Watershed has approached all four candidates with a series of questions prior to the election, and those interviews began running on Monday, October 19.
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