Tamara Davidson, Laanas, says she is running for North Coast-Haida Gwaii MLA because she believes in putting people first.
Speaking last week from a newly opened Prince Rupert campaign office that will soon be full of NDP-orange posters and signs, Davidson was getting set to call volunteers for help door-knocking across the city, Haida Gwaii, and coastal communities such as Metlakatla and Hartley Bay.
“It’s going to be really critical to get the vote out for this election,” she said, even though the provincial riding has a long history of voting NDP.
“What’s at stake here is that what John Rustad and the Conservatives are putting forward isn’t really putting people at the centre of their policies.”
In her 28 years as a federal civil servant, Davidson has focused on land management, planning, conservation and tourism.
She held several management roles with the federal government, including one at Gwaii Haanas that allowed her to live on Haida Gwaii and another with Pacific Economic Development Canada that brought her to Bella Bella, Bella Coola, and Lax Kw’alaams.
A single mother and a longtime union member, Davidson said her personal values align well with those of the BC NDP.
As a Haida and elected Council of the Haida Nation representative, Davidson said she is well positioned to support and speak publicly about the policy changes that follow the B.C. government’s recent legal recognition of Haida title to Haida Gwaii.
After visiting Haida Gwaii this summer as part of her bid for the BC NDP candidate nomination, Davidson said people on the islands are mainly concerned about healthcare staff shortages, affordable housing, and the cost of living.
On healthcare, Davidson said a re-elected BC NDP government would focus on training more nurses and doctors as well as breaking down barriers to getting more internationally-trained healthcare workers into hospitals.
Davidson said recent ER closures like those at the Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital are happening across Canada, and BC Conservative plans to privatize some services is the wrong response.
The BC NDP responded in part by offering a $30,000 incentive to bring new doctors into rural areas such as Haida Gwaii, she said, and by allowing pharmacists to prescribe free birth control and other medications to take some pressure off emergency rooms.
On housing, Davidson said the B.C. NDP government has a strong record of affordable housing projects, such as the new 24-unit elders apartment in Skidegate, and was the first to open funding for such projects on reserve.
If elected, Davidson said she would continue working with on-island groups to come up with solutions.
Davidson launched her campaign with several endorsements, including one from Jason Alsop, Gaagwiis, who praised her long history of community service, including as a board member with the Haida Enterprise Corporation and Talang Slaang Youth Rediscovery Camp.
Davidson was also endorsed by Marilyn Slett, chief of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, who called her a powerful force for lands management who understands both sides of the table.
Other endorsements include Barb Nederpel, president of the Hospital Employees’ Union and Joy Thorkelson, former president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union.
Davidson said the sudden collapse of the BC United party this summer had no direct effect on this riding since no BC United candidate was declared.
But given what will likely be confirmed Sept. 28 as a two-party race, Davidson said voters have a very clear choice.
“It really does come down to who do you want representing you in Victoria, from the two choices that are there?”