Newly elected Prince George-North Cariboo MLA, Sheldon Clare has been named the BC Conservative Party’s Deputy WHIP.
The announcement was made on November 20th, in a press release when John Rustad unveiled his shadow cabinet.
Clare will be in a leadership role as Deputy WHIP, reporting under WHIP Bruce Banman, MLA for Abbotsford South.
“It’s really quite an honour,” says Clare. “It’s a leadership role, I was very flattered to be asked to do it given that I’m a new MLA.”
This puts Clare in one of the top three leadership roles underneath the party leader.
The role also makes sure that members attend “any and all” legislative assembly meetings and committee responsibilities, and be a key figure in enforcing any discipline in the caucus, as well as with “extra compensation”.
Clare adds that as Deputy WHIP, he will be in a better position to voice his riding’s concerns to both the caucus and the legislation assembly.
“I think it gives me a stronger voice within the caucus. I’m someone who is going to be a key member and engaged in responsibilities that everyone is going to be looking to. The leader [John Rustad] emphasized to me in this role that I have the ability to speak on any issue and consult, and I intend to make use of that.”
The Conservative Party forms the opposition with 44 seats, compared to the BC NDP’s fringe majority of 47 seats, which Clare says makes his new role important to make sure the opposition holds the province accountable.
“It’s the smallest majority you can possibly have, and we have the largest opposition that’s ever been in this legislature,” says Clare. “Everybody’s going to have to be there all the time. It’s going to be a very strict and rigorous need to hold the government accountable for everything it does, and they’re already feeling the pressure.”
Clare’s team is in the middle of transitioning to their office space in Quesnel’s City Hall and is also looking for space in Prince George, to hear and service his riding the best he can.
– Files from Teryn Midzain, My Cariboo Now staff
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