NELSON – Long time city worker and labour activist Bev LaPointe has confirmed that she is seeking the New Democratic Party nomination for Nelson – Creston, the provincial constituency currently held by long-time MLA Corky Evans.
As an NDP candidate for Nelson-Creston, LaPointe says she would be a forceful advocate for the environment and in building sustainable communities through support for families and the local economy, advocating for better housing, maintaining community resources, and encouraging growth of local food production.
LaPointe has served the Nelson area for nearly three decades as a municipal worker and since 2005 has advocated for workers and community services throughout the province in her capacity as general vice-president for the B.C. division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), B.C.’s largest public sector union.
Among her many progressive involvements, LaPointe is chair of CUPE BC’s environment committee, a member of the board of directors for Toxic-Free Canada, chair of the board for the Kootenay Career Development Society, and a member of the NDP’s provincial women’s rights committee.
Through her activism, she has also successfully negotiated numerous collective agreements with local governments in the region, including the Village of Kaslo, City of Nelson and the Nelson Municipal Library—agreements that include summer student jobs, retired worker benefits, wages and health care benefits.
In 2004, she received an honourable mention from Kootenay Coop Radio for excellence in participatory democracy and outstanding public process for her leadership in the high profile ‘Strong Communities’ public campaign aimed at maintaining public ownership of Nelson’s services.
LaPointe says it would be a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Corky Evans, the veteran MLA and former NDP cabinet minister who has announced that he will not be seeking re-election.
“Corky has represented this community so well and for so many years with his passion, his principles, and his strong connection to the people,” she says. “He understands what makes communities work. In seeking this nomination, I hope to continue his fine example.”
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For more information, please go to www.bevlapointe.com or contact Bev directly at: 250.354.7320 or bjl.1@shaw.ca.