Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Pete McIntyre
11 years in office

‘That was a big deal:’ Foster looks back on his time as MLA

Nov 22, 2020 | 8:00 AM

The first thing that comes to mind when Eric Foster is asked to consider his legacy as the MLA for Vernon-Monashee is the buildings.

Foster ended his 11 year, three-term, run as MLA for the B.C. Liberals last month after a 424-vote loss to Harwinder Sandhu of the NDP in the Oct. 24th B.C. election

He was asked by Vernon Matters to reminisce about his main accomplishments while he was the riding’s representative in Victoria.

“There is certainly the buildings; the hospital tower, the top two floors of the hospital and all the work we did there; new pharmacies, an MRI machine. We’ve opened two new schools since I’ve been the MLA (Vernon Secondary and Coldstream Elementary). And those aren’t all completely mine, they’re B.C. Liberal initiatives. Tom Christensen [MLA from 2001-2009] started some of them, and I was in the seat when we got to cut the ribbons.”

Eric Foster and other officials celebrate the completion of the Polson Tower on Feb. 26, 2016 (file photo/Vernon Matters)
Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Apr 10, 2026
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
Apr 10, 2026
Labour Force Stats
Regional unemployment on the rise
Apr 10, 2026

Foster also hopes he’ll be remembered for trying to help the public with a variety of issues.

“I hope there is a legacy for openness with the public and the opportunity for people to come into the office when they needed help. During the campaign, there was some people that said I wasn’t available, but that’s just politics. We were always available, and I hope people will look back on the last 11-and a-half years and feel that I represented everyone and, whenever possible, we were able to help them.”

Eric Foster and former Premier Christy Clark at the B.C. Legislature in 2013 (file photo/BC Legislature)

Foster, a former mayor of Lumby and RDNO director before his jump to provincial politics, said while “everyday was a joy to get up” while he was MLA, one moment stands out.

“The day that we met up in the top two floors of the hospital in the shelled-in area [in 2014], and I got to make the announcement we were moving forward, was the best. That was a big deal. I worked awful hard to get that money, and [former Health Minister] Mike de Jong came to town and allowed me to make that announcement. As a single highlight, that might have been it.”

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

No Temporary Shelter
Petition calls for end of camping at Vernon's Hidden Park
Vernonites are hoping to stop people from camping in a small park just outside the downtown core.A petition signed by 100 people say Hidden Park, located on 33rd Avenue, is not suitable for overnight sheltering as it's small, close to homes, and intended to be used as a neighbourhood recreation place.The residents are ...
16h ago
Read More
Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Coldstream is holding a special meeting to inform the public about newly-proposed regulations around septic tanks.The municipality had proposed extending the setback for large septic facilities located near watercourses to a distance of 70 metres.However, Greater Vernon Water reviewed the proposed change, and had inste...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Big Winner
Kelowna man wins $675K Set for Life prize
A Kelowna man is celebrating a life-changing lottery win after scratching a Set for Life ticket.Clifford F. won the game's top prize, choosing a lump sum payout of $675,000 after initially being confused by the word "annuity" when checking his ticket on the BCLC Lotto! App."I knew what the word meant, bu...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Know the law
Vernon Mounties warn E-dirt bike riders to stay off public roads, spaces
Nicer weather may prompt some off-road motorbike riders to travel on public streets and spaces, so Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are out with a reminder that E-dirt bikes, although they are battery powered, are for off-road use only.They are not permitted on roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, or any other public space, and any...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
A new maternity care option has opened in Vernon.Interior Health partnered with organizations in the area to open the Orchard Maternity Vernon clinic at the Vernon Health Unit, located at 1440 14th Ave.The new clinic provides prenatal care to low-risk pregnancies through the first six to eight weeks following a birth.&...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Drought Predicted
OBWB wanting municipalities to be consistent with drought messaging
The water protection advocacy agency is wanting to see more consistency in how local municipalities put out messaging about drought conditions.With the River Forecast Centre reporting that the Okanagan's snowpack was 58 per cent of normal as of April 1, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) said the region should be pr...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Round 2
Rockets open second round tonight against Silvertips
The Kelowna Rockets open their second-round WHL playoff series tonight against the Everett Silvertips.Game 1 goes at 7:05 p.m. PST in Everett, as Kelowna takes on the league-leading Silvertips after sweeping the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1.Everett also advanced via a first-round sweep of Portland and finished the regul...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Labour Force Stats
Regional unemployment on the rise
The economic region that includes Vernon saw a large jump in the unemployment rate last month.Statistics Canada said the Thompson-Okanagan had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent in March.That was more than a point from February's rate of 6.5 per cent, and up almost two points from the rate of 6.1 per cent ...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
No Public Risk
Death at the Winter Carnival office under investigation
Members of the RCMP are investigating a death at a local business.Police say a deceased person was found inside the Vernon Winter Carnival office on 35th Street at around 8:45 p.m. Thursday.RCMP told Vernon Matters the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the person's death was ongoing as of Friday morning....
Apr 10, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Apr 10, 2026
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
Apr 10, 2026
Labour Force Stats
Regional unemployment on the rise
Apr 10, 2026
No Public Risk
Death at the Winter Carnival office under investigation
Apr 10, 2026
Crime Prevention
Vernon RCMP urges people to "lock out auto crime"
Apr 09, 2026