Linda Hawes receives the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medallion from MP Mel Arnold in recognition of public service, dedication and sacrifice. (submitted photo)

By Pete McIntyre

B.C. election

Hawes seeks BC United nomination in Salmon Arm-Shuswap

Dec 1, 2023 | 12:30 PM

The BC United Party has its first candidate for the Salmon Arm-Shuswap provincial riding.

Linda Hawes of Salmon Arm has announced she will seek the position currently held by Greg Kyllo, the MLA since 2013, who will not be seeking re-election.

Hawes, who describes herself as “a veteran of all three levels of public life,” is a longtime member of the BC United (formerly BC Liberal) Party, having joined in 1994. She is a recipient of the May Brown Award, an honour bestowed upon party members for “contributions to the community, the province and support of the party.”

She is the former president of the party’s Shuswap riding association, and said she has an extensive history of political activity in both Northern B.C., and in the last dozen years, in the Okanagan and Shuswap regions.

“After cutting her political teeth as a city councillor, Ms. Hawes became a successful and much sought-after campaign manager for candidates in federal, provincial and municipal elections,” a news release from Hawes stated. “This history helps explain why she was approached by several in the community who told her that she “checked all the boxes” in what they’d be looking for in the next BC United Party candidate.”

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Hawes said she is seeking the nomination for BC United because of its many positive policies, including its “assertive and well-conceived wildfire-management measures.”

“As party leader Kevin Falcon has made clear, our focus is on modernizing the fire service, empowering local expertise and local response teams, and improving evacuee supports,” Hawes stated. “As everyone knows from the smoke that we have been breathing these last several years, our health and the health of our communities depend on a government that must do much better.”

Hawes said a BC United government would also produce “commonsense measures that would deliver real climate results, and yield more jobs, higher incomes and lower taxes.”

“Contrast our option with the NDP’s CostBC plan, which will cost B.C. jobs, cost B.C.’s economy, and cost you money,” said Hawes, a former businessperson.

In her spare time, Hawes said she has coached youth sports, donated time to Rotary and Kinsmen clubs and chambers of commerce, as well as sitting on boards of organizations such as Salmonid Enhancement and Community Services.

“Ms. Hawes salutes the energy and advocacy demonstrated by Shuswap MLAs Greg Kyllo and George Abbott – she worked hard during several election campaigns to ensure that Shuswap voters sent both to Victoria. She promises to bring that same dedication should she become the BC United Party candidate, and ultimately, the MLA for Shuswap,” the news release said.

To vote in the nomination, you must be a member at least 28 days prior to the candidate selection meeting. For more details, go to https://secure.votebcunited.ca/member

Vernon Matters has reached out to BC United communications to see if a date and site have been set for a candidate selection meeting for Salmon Arm-Shuswap.