Vernon MLA Ready As Liberal Whip

Vernon’s MLA says he’s pleased to be back as the Liberal party’s whip — even though he’s not sure how it will play out.

Eric Foster was recently appointed to the position by the Premier, which he has done before.

Among the whip’s responsibilities is organizing party members for votes.

“As important as it was in government to make sure we had all our numbers in the house at any given time, it’s equally important when you’re in opposition when it’s this close,” says Foster.

Foster could end up as the opposition whip if the Liberals lose a confidence vote next week.

“With the numbers the way they are now, it’s every bit as important that we have every vote in the house at all times. It’s going to be tough on our people who live in places like Cranbrook or up in the Cariboo.”

Meanwhile, Foster is rejecting criticism that delays in recalling the legislature, have led to priorities like education and affordable housing not getting addressed.

The three term MLA says that suggestion from NDP leader John Horgan is just rhetoric.

“Government still runs. I mean look what happened with all the flooding and so on. I mean if that was the case, we’d have just let the place flood and the province wouldn’t have had their people out.”

The Liberals hold 43 seats, two more than the NDP, and the Greens have three.

MLA’s return to the legislature June 22.