North Island MLA Claire Trevena will run again for the NDP in the next provincial election.
Facing no competition from anyone else, she was acclaimed as the North Island candidate on Saturday in Campbell River.
B.C. voters are not scheduled to go to the polls until 2013 but the NDP are preparing for an early election.
“Normally my nomination would come much later but this is an opportunity to get ready for an election that could be called at anytime,” Trevena said. “The premier has certainly given every indication she wants to go to the polls early. We’re thinking there’s likely to be an election this autumn.”
Trevena, who has served the North Island riding as MLA since 2005, hopes Premier Christy Clark does call an election sooner rather than later.
“As an NDP MLA I’m very eager to have an election and finally get rid of the Liberals,” she said.
Trevena has served in Opposition the duration of her career as an MLA, first under NDP leader Carole James and now with Adrian Dix at the helm.
Since joining the provincial legislature Trevena has served as a critic of Child Care, Early Childhood Development and Women’s Issues, filled the role of assistant deputy speaker of the house, and is currently the critic of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Recently she has spoken out on the state of Child and Youth Mental Health services in Campbell River, saying it is failing the public with its massive wait list, and demanded a cap on increasing ferry fares that are crippling those living in ferry dependent communities.
Trevena said she is honoured to have people she has spoken up for support her.
“I feel very privileged that people asked me to be their candidate again and that they’ve given their trust to me,” she said.
She is hopeful the next election will have a different result than the last three.
“There is a real hunger for change across the North Island and the whole province.”