As the Liberal Party opposition in the B.C. Legislature shuffles their critics ahead of the next session, Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo has a new role.
On Sept. 10 BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson announced Kyllo will be the new critic for environment and parks. He will be critiquing the work of Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman.
Kyllo inherits the post from Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar, who was given the Labour Critic job.
“Our province’s billion-dollar tourism industry is built upon people coming to enjoy the breathtaking forests, lakes, and mountains we have here in B.C.,” said Kyllo.
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Kyllo added that in his opinion the NDP has strayed away from using a science-based and community-led approach to dealing with environmental matters in recent years. In particular, Kyllo said under the NDP the time it takes for businesses to receive a decision on permits for resource projects was increasing. He said the opposition would be striving to give certainty of timeline to businesses trying to obtain permits to start projects in B.C. while relying on science to guide decisions.
The environment critic position will also give Kyllo an opportunity to take a deeper dive into how the BC Parks system is managed.
Overall, Kyllo said he is excited to take a closer look at how another part of the government is run. He said he would prefer to be in the government again himself but will not take the critic’s responsibilities lightly.
“Greg has been a champion for his community for years, and I look forward to seeing him bring that same passion and dedication to holding this government accountable in his new role,” said BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson.
Elsewhere in the region, Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone will be retaining his role as critic for Municipal Affairs, Housing and TransLink.
According to Wilkinson, the various role changes in the Liberal caucus will build on the letters and policy suggestions introduced by the opposition in recent months. The overall goal of the policy suggestions is to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
jim.elliot@saobserver.net
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