Richmond city Coun. Alexa Loo is running in the provincial election in Richmond South Centre under the BC Liberal banner .
The long-time MLA for the riding, Linda Reid, announced earlier this year she won’t be running for re-election.
Premier John Horgan called a provincial election on Monday, setting the date for Saturday, Oct. 24.
Loo is serving her second term as a Richmond city councillor.
If elected, Loo said it would most likely be too much to focus on two jobs – that of MLA as well as city councillor. A city councillor can continue as long as they don't miss more than four consecutive meetings.
If she steps down, with two years left in her council term, it would most likely trigger a municipal by-election within six months. (The next municipal election is in October 2022.)
Loo said, if she won the provincial election, she’d use her council experience and connections at the next level of government.
“(I would) take what I’ve learned, take the relationships I’ve built and move on and continue to work together,” Loo said, adding it’s good to have someone who understands municipal government at higher levels of government..
Loo said, as an MLA, her priorities would include the George Massey crossing, affordable housing, better coordination in education between online and in-class learning during the pandemic, active transportation and keeping health-care projects on track, including a new acute care tower at Richmond Hospital and rebuilding Lions Manor.
