Gareth sits down with Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart. Jackie won the 2020 snap provincial election for the riding of Fraser-Nicola, giving her her third term in provincial office. She says that "...campaigning and not being able to go door to door was probably strangest difference. However we did hold a car rally where people came and showed their support by honking their horns when they heard something that they linked it was different, but it worked".
One of the campaign promises that Jackie made involved the local Mcabee Fossil site, located east of Cache Creek. At this time the promise of two million dollars to be given to the site has not been fulfilled yet, she is resolute in following through with her promise.
Jackie commented on the state of the provincial government and how a budget has not yet been presented for adoption. She says that this is unusual and will be sixty days overdue. A previous extension of thirty days had been provided as the legislative assembly has not met since December due to COVID restrictions, but does look forward to what the NDP has to present when sessions open back up in March.
the conversation then turned to how Jackie is involved with what is happening with the Ashcroft HUB, and the Spences bridge EV Charging Station, which is very little overall. In both of these instances, Jackie has been contacted by all of the parties involved, but there is very little that she can actually do other than make suggestions to the parties involved.
Jackie did speak on how she is the Ministry of Education critic, which suites her well as she had been a school board trustee in Ashcroft for many years prior to being an MLA, and she looks forward to holding the NDP government to account when it comes to the education and safety of students in BC.
Jackie also spoke on her involvement regarding the Fraser Canyon restoration project, which does not directly affect Ashcroft or Cache Creek, but will hopefully send tourists all the way up the canyon. the overall goal of this project is to make the Fraser Canyon more appealing to local tourists, by adding enhance rest stops, upgraded and new restaurants and even some hotel projects.
