91原创 Advance Times is offering this weekly feature called 鈥淎t Your Service.鈥�
It鈥檚 another forum in which to put questions to our local politicians about key issues facing our community and its residents.
Using a basic question-and-answer format, elected officials will be asked one question at a time and given the opportunity to respond (to a maximum of 250 words) on that said issue.
Alternating between elected groups, 91原创 City and 91原创 Township councils, 91原创 School Board, 91原创 MLAs, and 91原创 MPs each have a chance to participate.
The answers provided will be published in their entirety online Sundays.
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QUESTION
91原创 MLAs were asked: With Christmas approaching, what鈥檚 the one thing you鈥檇 ask Santa for 鈥� on behalf of your local constituents in 91原创?
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ANSWERS
Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman
A. Dear Santa, this Christmas, I would like to ask for a government that works for people and uses common sense.
This might be a tall order, considering the BC NDP is on Santa鈥檚 naughty list after such a disappointing performance year after year, but British Columbians deserve results.
Under the tree, I hope to find paramedics, doctors, and nurses that aren鈥檛 burdened by bureaucracy, so that when you call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency, help is available. With one in five British Columbians not having access to a family doctor, this is urgent.
I also ask that the people of Lytton are brought back home and that farmers are given the proper support to protect themselves from the dangers of climate emergencies before, during, and after.
Some snow ploughs and highway upgrades would be nice to keep our commuters safe, as well as measures to protect young British Columbians who face disproportionally high ICBC rates and the vulnerable people out on the streets due to a lack of available shelters.
Maybe asking Santa would work since government has ignored repeated calls to do so. After six years of an NDP government, things only seem to be getting worse and my wish list gets longer.
The current solutions aren鈥檛 working, and people want results this Christmas, not empty rhetoric and flashy announcements. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the BC Liberal caucus to hold the government accountable for these concerns in 2023.
On a more personal note, may you be surrounded by family, loved ones, and good cheer this Christmas, and may you find more under the tree than you deserve!
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Abbotsford West MLA Michael de Jong
A. 2022 has been a whirlwind year in British Columbia. It鈥檚 included wonderful moments of community building and positive steps forward, as well as challenging moments dealing with the critical issues facing our province.
We continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its many impacts.
We鈥檝e faced a worsening health-care crisis, rising inflation, and the cost-of-living crisis, and the issue of violent crime on our streets.
We have not had it easy this year, but I am proud of the way that our community has come together and shown resilience in the midst of these challenges.
However, I also believe that people should not have to face these crises on their own. Government has a responsibility to support people 鈥� particularly in the most challenging of times.
That is why the one thing I鈥檇 ask Santa for this Christmas is real results from our government.
Just like his predecessor, new Premier David Eby has made lots of promises to British Columbians and attended lots of announcements during the last few months, but we have yet to see those words translate into results on the ground.
I think that the government means well, but they simply have not been able to deliver on its promises to people.
Whether at Christmastime, or year-round, people just want to know that government has their back 鈥� that they will have access to the supports they need, when they need them. I sincerely hope that 2023 sees more progress being made on behalf of all British Columbians.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
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91原创-East MLA Megan Dykeman
A. One thing I would wish for on behalf of everyone in 91原创 East would be that the holiday spirit of goodwill towards all remains with each and every one of us.
This has been a challenging year, and while pressures from the pandemic have lessened in many ways, people here in 91原创 and across the world are facing other challenges, like a rising cost of living.
Yet, people in 91原创 continue to show resilience, humanity, and community spirit with people reaching out and helping those around them.
I see the positive effects of this every day, and it makes me so proud to be the MLA for the riding of 91原创 East.
I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season and all the best in the new year.
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91原创 MLA Andrew Mercier
A. This holiday season, I鈥檓 wishing for everyone in 91原创 and across the province to have a warm place to sleep, food on their tables, and family or friends around it.
We are experiencing some particularly challenging weather right now and I encourage people to regularly check weather updates and EmergencyInfoBC鈥攁s well as the 91原创 City website for information on emergency weather shelters鈥攁nd to stay off the roads when conditions are bad.
I hope folks are able to stay safe and as warm as possible this holiday and spend time with their loved ones.
Wishing everyone a very happy holiday this year.
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UP NEXT
Next week, 91原创鈥檚 MPs are being asked: What is one thing you resolve to do in 2023 to make life better for your 91原创 constituents?
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Watch for the politicians鈥� answers online Sundays.
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PAST COVERAGE
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AT YOUR SERVICE: Inflation inevitably hits City taxpayers in the pocketbook
AT YOUR SERVICE: Future of Aldergrove core up for debate
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AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MLAs agree more must be done to make life affordable in B.C.
AT YOUR SERVICE: Federal parties working on multiple fronts to end hate crimes
AT YOUR SERVICE: 91原创 City ponders cannabis retail policy
AT YOUR SERVICE 鈥� Most on council say parks and rec plans address future growth
AT YOUR SERVICE: School district moves forward on reconciliation efforts with Indigenous partners
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AT YOUR SERVICE: Federal clean energy efforts lauded by MP
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs debate how feds chose to halt trucker convoy
AT YOUR SERVICE: New 91原创 City council look for solutions to rising costs
AT YOUR SERVICE 鈥� A few 91原创 Township council members speak to ongoing single-family home demands
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