Scott McInnis is asking Columbia River-Revelstoke voters for another term in the B.C. legislature, saying rural health care, transportation and backcountry access will remain among his priorities if re-elected.
McInnis, the Conservative Party candidate and former MLA for the riding, was first elected in 2024. He said his first term reinforced his desire to continue in provincial politics.
“I love my job. Its truly an honour to serve.”
Before entering politics, McInnis worked as a teacher and principal. He said leaving education was a deliberate decision made with the hope of building a long-term career in public service.
McInnis said some of the most rewarding parts of the job have come from helping individual constituents navigate provincial services.
“I get the joy out of being able to say to that senior, you’re welcome to help them get their motorized scooter repaired properly. I like to say you’re welcome to the parent who needed help navigating some educational challenges. For me, that’s what it’s all about to serve as an MLA. And I certainly hope voters will give me the opportunity to continue because this is a job that I just love near and dear to my heart.”
McInnis said health care remains one of his main campaign priorities, particularly his push to extend the provincial rural retention incentive to health-care workers in Cranbrook and Kimberley.
He raised the issue several times in the legislature during his first term, arguing workers in the two communities should receive the incentive available to eligible workers in some other rural B.C. communities.
McInnis said he also wants to continue advocating for better transportation options for residents who must leave the region for specialized medical treatment, including those travelling to Kelowna or Vancouver.
He said he wants the province to explore greater access to surgical and other health-care services in neighbouring Alberta.
McInnes also identified backcountry access and broader transportation challenges as priorities for the riding.
“Obviously, we have a lot of transportation issues in the riding. So those are just some of the key priorities that I will be zeroing in on and helping constituents moving forward.”
With provincial and local election campaigns overlapping this month, McInnis acknowledged voters may be facing an unusually busy election period.
“I know there’s a lot of confusion. We have overlapping elections going on here at the same time with our local government and obviously with the provincial election as well.”
He encouraged residents to participate regardless of which candidate they support.
“It’s a real privilege and an honour in a democratic country like Canada to be able to vote. So just get out there, folks, and make sure that you’re exercising that right to vote.”
Advance voting for the provincial election runs from Oct. 16 to 21, with final voting day on Saturday, Oct. 24.
McInnis said voters should take the opportunity to hear from candidates before making their choice.
“Come out and listen to candidates and make the most informed decision you can as to who you want to represent to in Victoria.”
