Government should be of service to the people, says Sonia Furstenau.

BC Green Party MLA Sonia Furstenau is visiting the northwest to talk to government officals and others to learn more about the area.

BC Green Party MLA for Cowichan Valley Sonia Furstenau sees similarities between her riding and Terrace in terms of needs.

Her area is in need of a hospital to replace the one built in the 1960s or so too, she said.

“The community knows what it needs,” said Furstenau, adding that deputy mayor Michael Prevost talked to her about a level three trauma centre here.

“All you have to do is look out the window to see how important it (hospital) is.”

The government needs to help the community to move its plans for a hospital forward, she said, adding that Cowichan Valley got the go-ahead for its hospital at a UBCM conference.

Furstenau is looking forward to meeting with our representatives at UBCM to talk face-to-face about the issues that are important.

“The way I see my role is how can I help the government do the best it can,” siad Furstenau. “I see the government as being in service to the people. The provincial government should support and empower local communities.”

She’s hopeful that all the members of the legislature will work together across party lines to be of service to residents and get things done.

When she’s back in Victoria, she said she will get in touch with Skeena MLA Ellis Ross to work with him on the similar issues in our two communities.

From Terrace, she is off to visit the Nass Valley, then Stewart, where her grandparents both began their teaching careers and Smithers.