People in Cowichan Valley have a new BC NDP candidate for this fall’s election, following the nomination of local Indigenous leader Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat) on Saturday afternoon.

A member of the Cowichan nation, Debra is a two term elected councillor in the municipality of North Cowichan and a five time councillor of Cowichan Tribes — the first elected female to hold both positions on two councils at the same time. A champion for Indigenous watersheds and the services people count on, Debra is focused on ensuring people can build a good life in the Cowichan Valley.

“People in the Cowichan Valley are facing the same big challenges so many people across BC are facing: housing, healthcare and affordability,” said Toporowski. “They need someone on their side to get things done, so we can keep building more housing, improving healthcare services and making life more affordable. I’m ready to get to work to defend people against the reckless cuts and roll back of climate action that John Rustad and Kevin Falcon are calling for now.”

Since forming government in July 2017, the BC NDP has taken action on crucial issues that matter to the people of Cowichan Valley, including:

• Putting people ahead of speculators and investors by bringing in tough new restrictions on short-term rentals and a speculation tax, plus simplified approvals that make it easier and faster to get 300,000 new homes built.
• Helping you and your family get the care you need by hiring 700 new family doctors, licensing internationally-trained health professionals to work in BC, and building a new 204 bed Cowichan hospital.
• Helping people with costs by eliminating MSP Premiums, reducing ICBC rates by $500 a year, boosting the BC Family Benefit by $445, cutting childcare fees in half, and making birth control free.
• Worked with the Green Party to develop CleanBC, the most ambitious climate plan in North America, and taking action to electrify the economy, create green jobs, and more opportunities for BC businesses.

“Debra is a dedicated public servant who’s spent decades helping people in the Cowichan Valley,” said Premier David Eby. “She’s a great champion for building more housing, improving healthcare and childcare, and supporting local businesses, so everyone can build a good life here.”

Debra will join David Eby and 91 other exceptional BC NDP candidates in this fall’s provincial election, all committed to real action to help people build a good life here in BC.