B.C. NDP MLA Brittny Anderson is seeking a third term representing Kootenay Central, with housing, health care and environmental protection among her priorities if re-elected.
Anderson has represented the riding for six years and said she wants to continue working on behalf of the community she calls home.
“I love my community. This is where I grew up, and this is where I wanna live for the rest of my life,” Anderson said. “And I really want strong representation.”
She points to housing projects across the region as part of the work she’d like to build on, though she acknowledges affordability remains a major challenge for British Columbians.
“I’m really proud of the work that we’re doing and I want to be there to push it forward and to make sure that we’re creating jobs, we’re making life more affordable, but we’re also protecting our environment and our communities,” Anderson said.
Anderson previously served two years on Nelson city council before becoming an MLA. She also serves as Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities.
Housing and affordability
Anderson highlighted several housing developments in Nelson, including the supportive housing development in Railtown, now known as Elephant Mountain Place, along with the workforce housing project being developed by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce and seniors housing projects.
She also pointed to the long-term care facility at the former Mount St. Francis site in Fairview as an important part of the community’s health-care infrastructure.
While she is proud of the progress, Anderson acknowledged more work is needed to address the cost of living.
“There is a lot of work that we still have to do. We have to fix the affordability crisis. It is so difficult for people right now,” she said.
Anderson also identified affordable child care as a priority, pointing to the need to support both families and the workers who provide those services.
Health care and education
Improving access to doctors is another priority for Anderson, who pointed to efforts to recruit physicians to communities including Creston and Nakusp.
She also highlighted the province’s plans for a new medical school, while noting that more immediate action is needed to address doctor shortages.
“We can’t wait for those students to graduate and start practicing,” she said, referring to the province’s plans to train more doctors. “And that’s why we’ve been working really hard to attract doctors from other countries that want to come to a place that has health care, where they don’t have to wonder if they can treat someone based on their insurance.”
Anderson also criticized the B.C. Conservatives’ stated plans to cut health care and education, arguing continued investment is necessary to maintain public services.
“I do not want to see an American-style or a two-tiered health-care system. I do not want to see our classrooms bigger than they already are,” Anderson said. “So we will continue to invest in education and health care.”
Environmental protection
Environmental protection is another key priority for Anderson, who has a master’s degree in environmental science and policy.
She said she recently helped arrange a visit to the region by Premier David Eby and renowned forest ecologist Suzanne Simard to discuss the protection of old-growth forests.
Anderson said she wants to see economic opportunities created alongside efforts to protect the environment.
“A deep passion of mine is the environment. This is something I care deeply about,” Anderson said.
A local connection
Anderson lives just outside the Kootenay Central riding, but has deep roots in the Nelson area. Her family moved to Nelson when she was four months old.
“My home, where I live and own property, is about five minutes away from the riding. I technically, I will be voting for Steve Morissette in this election,” Anderson said.“But Nelson is where I’ve lived and where I’ve called home my entire life.”
She completed most of her education in Nelson before studying international relations and environmental science and policy. After living in seven countries over about a decade, she returned to the Kootenays more than 10 years ago.
“I couldn’t be more incredibly happy to call this place home. I do go to Victoria for work, as every MLA is required to do. I don’t own property there. My home is here in the Kootenays and this is where I will be for the rest of my life,” Anderson said.
Two of Anderson’s opponents, OneBC’s Hunter Corrigal and B.C. Conservative Gordon Skulnec, live in Cranbrook, also outside the riding. Anderson questioned how someone living so far from the region could represent the riding’s diverse communities.
“We’ve got a massive riding, and I wanna know how someone from so far outside the riding is gonna be able to represent the people in Nakusp, the folks up in Argenta, people in Salmo and in Creston and in Nelson,” Anderson said.
“You really have to be here to hear people, to understand what this community needs. And I just don’t believe that you can’t, that you can possibly do that if you don’t live here.”
Anderson is also facing B.C. Green candidate Nicole Charlwood in the Oct. 24 provincial election.
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