Long rambling interview between friends…..

Need a picture – maybe her holding a glass of water in the kitchen…….

Lots of metaphors – glass half empty or glass half full……

Water seemed like a good thing to talk about with a very dry year in the South Okanagan.  Larson says “governments and the people must become more aware of how water is used and wasted.” More wells or more high mountain reservoirs?

At that moment…. came a picture on her phone of Chief Robert Louie of Westbank First Nation. Yes the WFN controls lands in the MLA’s jurisdiction – across the valley at Big White. Larson says a group of MLA’s meet regularly with Okanagan band leadership about issues that interest both parties – land and water rights.

Drought planning is a current issue and she believes each area should have a plan but tailored to the specifics of what is going on locally – farming, ranching, ecosystems etc. “There is no one answer for all areas.”

Age – do you feel it?

“We can all see people around us getting older.” But…. “if you have a passion for life – I just can’t see myself sitting around and watching TV for the rest of my life.”

Christmas? She saw all her children and their children at Christmas – they are growing up and she has a wall full of pencil marks that show the progress in the “getting taller” category. Her husband Larry walks into the kitchen and cleans some paint brushes and rushes off to measure up another house project. Hi Larry…..it’s that kind of interview.

<May 9th, 2017>

MLA Linda Larson announced recently she plans to run again – partly because the Premier ….Christy Clark ask her to. Larson is passionate about what the government has accomplished:

Liquor Policy revisions

Providing more accessibility to seniors and the disabled

Help for single parents – getting an education and finding work

What are the election issues?  “too early to tell – 16 months away” (believe it or not).

Not wanting to dwell on it – her comments on the National Park question have gotten her into hot soup.

“I would rather have one farmer than four tourists.”

Supporters of a National Park characterized as “crazies and extremists”

Larson says all those words used in interviews but not quite in the context of what she was trying to express.

The comments on ranchers/farmers vs tourists goes back to 2013 she thinks. She stand by the fact that farmers and ranchers own property and contribute to the economy all year round but a tourist rents a room, eats, enjoys the scenery but ultimately leaves after a few days.

The comments on ‘crazies’ and ‘extremists’ is more recent… reflecting on a decision to abandon a focus group – Larson states her comments were meant to imply that there are many passionate people on both sides of the issue and some do crazy things.

Larson is adamant she was not pointing her finger at anyone. She had a focus group with a job to do and didn’t want them harassed by anyone on either side. Ultimately the focus group idea was canned.

Opposition to the government’s plan are inside the party? “Not so” says Larson. “Opposition to the government plan comes from people who are passionate about the ecology.”   “Yes… there are a few people in my party who do not agree with me but many do.”

Larson says the opposition to her position is well organized. She says her government seeks a balanced approach with “compromise” the main plank of its position.

Misinformation says Larson is at the centre of many of the issues. The government wants to move on facts not just on what “one side thinks”.

What is next? – the government will review all submissions in a recent survey of the 1-2-3 Plan which outlined two areas of the South Okanagan where a National Park might fit. If the Ministry of the Environment thinks it is a good idea – doors will open and discussions with Parks Canada could proceed.

Late January is the expected time period for an announcement by Minister Mary Polak but any initiative will be on items where jurisdiction is not in question and where the BC government is mandated to provide a service.

A final note: Larson says public participation at this point has concluded. The government will act within its mandate.