Mike Bernier wants to be the next premier of British Columbia.
The South Peace MLA said he will officially seek the Liberal leadership after a BC Liberal AGM Saturday in Dawson Creek.
“I will be running.”
He says the vibe throughout the province has been infectious about the potential for him as the leader of the Liberal party.
“The support across the province seems strong. I’ve been excited and enthused by it.”
Bernier, says being born in Vancouver, but living in and working in rural BC for most of his career has him looking already at a bigger frame of the province – and able to talk both sides of the story.
“This rural and urban divide is an important discussion but we don’t have to compare regions, rather we should celebrate differences.”
He says much of the theme of his leadership bid will be about closing the loop as a Liberal party between goals, outcomes, and objectives.
“We talk about balancing the budget but we don’t talk about why – to support the economy and provincial programs. It is time to talk empathy and outcomes.”
Bernier has been throughout the province the last month testing the waters of support.
“Now is the time to heal as a party. The result of the election was humbling. I take it as a learning lesson. We had a strong team when working together.”
Monday will mark Vancouver announcement by Bernier, with an introduction from North Peace MLA Dan Davies.
Bernier was re-elected MLA for Peace River South in May and was the provincial Minister of Education. Prior to being appointed to Education in 2015, Bernier was the Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Literacy. He also served on the Cabinet Committee on Strong Economy.
Before being elected in 2013 to the Legislature, Bernier was the mayor of Dawson Creek, elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2011. He also served as a DC city councillor from 2005 to 2008.
Bernier will find himself competitive race, with other leadership candidates including former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan, former attorney general Andrew Wilkinson, Conservative MP Dianne Watts, Vancouver-Langara MLA Michael Lee, along with MLAs Mike de Jong and Todd Stone, and Terrace businesswoman Lucy Sager.
editor@dcdn.ca
