LINDA REIMER, BC LIBERAL [incumbent]: PORT MOODY-COQUITLAM
Linda Reimer has served one term as an MLA and, for more than half a year, was the lead politician for two Tri-City ridings. After her BC Liberal colleague Doug Horne quit in August 2015 to run federally, Reimer was the government’s point-of-contact for seven months for her electoral district as well as for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain.
It was “an incredibly busy” time before Horne’s provincial seat was filled in the February 2016 byelection — by the NDP’s Jodie Wickens — but she said that work, as well as her previous mandate as a member of Coquitlam city council, grounded her for changes to come.
For instance, in this campaign, riding redistribution has resulted in 3,000 new voters — mostly in the Chineside neighbourhood, east of Gatensbury Street and north of Como Lake — who she said are giving her party mixed reviews.
The past four years have seen growth in Port Moody-Coquitlam, a riding previously held, in part, by a then-rookie MLA named Christy Clark and which Reimer won by defeating incumbent Joe Trasolini in 2013.
The 57-year-old claims a binder of achievements that includes, among other things, the opening of the $1.3-billion Evergreen Extension; funding for expansion of the emergency room at Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH); and construction of new Moody and Banting middle schools.
Asked about three riding topics, Reimer had this to say:
THE ISSUES
• On health care — the number one source of complaints to her office — and wait times at ERH, Reimer is asked to clarify her statement from the Tri-Cities’ Chamber of Commerce all-candidates’ meeting, where she said she had undergone a non-elective surgery in a private Vancouver clinic, which she said opened a space in the public system. “I didn’t do a good job in explaining that,” she said. “I fully support our universal health care system, our publicly funded health care system, but I do think that people do appreciate having the choice.” Is her party’s vision to privatize part of ERH? Reimer shakes her head. “No, not necessarily. When I said that, I just meant it’s a good thing to have choice somewhere and I wasn’t advocating for it to be at any specific location.”
• On care to help people with substance abuse issues, Reimer said the BC Liberals have a cabinet committee to address mental health. “We’re building the substance abuse centre on Riverview. There will be increased number of beds there.” Reimer cites a pilot project at a North Vancouver high school where mental health services are available, mirroring a program in New Brunswick. “It’s important that we identify these kids as early as possible. This is very much on our radar. I sat on the select standing committee for children and youth and we got reports on some of the tragedies that have happened. That was just horrible. There is still much work to be done.” Reimer avoided a question about the possibility of market housing on the Riverview lands, saying a BC Liberal government will respect the city of Coquitlam’s wishes for land use.
• On the high cost for car insurance, Reimer said the government has called for a third-party review whose report is due this summer. “The review is being done not with the idea of changing the model but there will be recommendations made in regards to the costs of ICBC.” Asked about a possible model change or even a claims cap, Reimer said her party wants to wait for the study results.
To contact Linda Reimer, call 604-492-1299 or visit bcliberals.com/candidate/linda-reimer2017.
