The head of the South Okanagan Division of Family Practice will be running for BC United in Penticton to replace Dan Ashton in this yearsa国际传媒檚 provincial election.

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon was in Penticton on Feb. 13 joined by medical professionals as he announced Tracy St. Claire as the partysa国际传媒檚 candidate for Penticton-Summerland.

The announcement took place a stonesa国际传媒檚 throw away from the Penticton Regional Hospital.

St. Claire marks the third member of the healthcare sector to join BC United in recent weeks, following the Feb. 8 announcement of retired surgeon Dr. Michael Humer for Kelowna-Centre and the earlier announcement of Dr. Claudine Storness-Bliss for Surrey-Cloverdale.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 sending a real message that the people that work in the industry understand just how broken itsa国际传媒檚 become under this NDP government and that we have to have people that are willing to roll up their sleeves,sa国际传媒� said Falcon. sa国际传媒淭hese doctors are making personal and financial sacrifices, because they care a lot about the system and they believe that with the right leadership, we can fix it.sa国际传媒�

The Division of Family Practice works to represent doctors when dealing with the provincial government alongside groups like Doctors of BC.

The healthcare system will be a big focus for St. Claire, both improving peoplesa国际传媒檚 access to care and the quality of the care they receive.

sa国际传媒淚 think most British Columbians are worried about health care, and itsa国际传媒檚 in the newspaper every day,sa国际传媒� said St. Claire. sa国际传媒淭here are a lot of areas where the system is in crisis, so I think itsa国际传媒檚 time for some fresh ideas.sa国际传媒�

In addition to being the executive director of the local division of family practice since 2017, St. Claire has been a director of the United Waysa国际传媒檚 South Okanagan Similkameen division and a past trustee on School District 67sa国际传媒檚 board.

St. Claire will be vying to keep the Penticton seat for BC United after Ashton has left provincial politics. Ashton announced in December 2023 that he would not be seeking reelection, after spending 11 years as the regionsa国际传媒檚 MLA.

A born and raised Penticton resident, St. Claire resides with her husband Dave and their two daughters, Erika and Lindsay.

The community has been the focus of much of St. Clairesa国际传媒檚 life, from her mastersa国际传媒檚 degree based on the Penticton Indian Band, to her work as a facilitator in treaty negotiations and to years of volunteering.

St. Claire received endorsements from Ashton, along with previous MLAs Bill Barisoff and Rick Thorpe.

sa国际传媒淒an Ashton, Bill Barisoff, Kevin named a number of big names and big shoes to fill, yousa国际传媒檝e done so much, itsa国际传媒檚 an honour to be considered for your support,sa国际传媒� said St. Claire. sa国际传媒淎nd especially to my family, my friends, my colleagues sa国际传媒� many of you here working in healthcare, much more close to the front lines than I do sa国际传媒� I just really appreciate your encouragement, your support and your belief in me.sa国际传媒�

Ashton also took a few moments to praise St. Claire after she and Falcon spoke.

sa国际传媒淭he work starts now,sa国际传媒� said Ashton. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 an incredible experience. Itsa国际传媒檚 something Isa国际传媒檓 always going to remember and take to heart. Mark my words, itsa国际传媒檚 a whirlwind, but yousa国际传媒檒l enjoy every minute of the experience.sa国际传媒�

Falcon is also hosting a town hall while he is in Penticton, which will be held at the Seniors Drop-In Centre from 6:30 p.m. until 8 on Feb. 13.

Residents are invited to come and ask questions on a variety of topics, including health care, crime and public safety.