After significant review and consideration, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett has thrown her support behind B.C. Liberal leadership candidate George Abbott to become the next premier of the province.
She is the 20th MLA or cabinet minister to announce their support for Abbott.
Barnett says she has watched, listened and read about the whole race and looked at the various candidates' policies.
"I believe George Abbott knows the rural and urban issues the best."
The agricultural policy he has come up with addresses the issues of the ranching community and the real rural British Columbia, she adds.
Barnett says she has read, and is excited about, Abbott's heritage policy because he not only supports and understands the importance of the "Barkervilles of the province," but also the small museums, such as the ones at 108 Mile and Lone Butte.
The Parliamentary Secretary for the Mountain Beetle Action Committee notes Abbott understands the need to support the programs of not only the local beetle action committee but also those throughout the province.
"The pine beetle issue seems to have calmed down, but just because it's not first and front in the news right now, we have a long way to go to continue the support and help those communities build for the future."
Noting Abbott has been the minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Health Services and Education, Barnett says he has a lot of experience and a great grasp on the issues surrounding those key ministries.
"The relationships that we build with our First Nations are very important to all British Columbians. Health is a huge and very tough ministry, and he has a good grasp on how to keep it sustainable.
"He's also been the education minister and has opened the doors to work with the BC Teachers' Federation, which is a good step forward."
The local MLA says she believes Abbott has the ability to work with people in all walks of life.
"George has demonstrated he has the ability to bring together our diverse communities, our diverse regions, and our diverse citizens to listen and to solve problems.
"He understands the importance of resolving issues in urban and rural B.C. and he will bring the style of leadership and commitment that we need to unite our party and take on the NDP in 2013."
In the lead up to B.C. Liberal Party delegates electing the leader and premier on Feb. 26, Barnett says she was pleased the party overwhelmingly supported giving rural constituencies more voting strength at the Feb. 12 party convention.
However, she wasn't as keen about the decision to require delegates to pick a minimum of two candidates on a preferential ballot.
Barnett says her first choice will be Abbott, followed by Kevin Falcon.
"Kevin is a smart young man who has a great career ahead of him. He was very good to the South Cariboo as both the transportation minister [area road infrastructure work] and also as health minister getting Fisher Place up and running."
That's why it was such a hard decision to decide between the two of them, she concludes.
