Former B.C. MLA crosses party lines over rural issues

Jun 05, 2023

The provincial NDP has become an ‘urban-interest party’ Harry Lali said

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A former member of the B.C. legislature crossed the floor to join another party because of his former party’s lack of attention on rural issues.

Harry Lali, who served as the NDP’s MLA for Fraser-Nicola from May 2009 to May of 2013, joined BC United (formerly the BC Liberals) last month because he’s concerned the NDP has become too focused on urban communities.

“Today’s BCNDP has become an urban-interest party. Having only a handful of rural MLAs, the BCNDP has little to no interest in the issues and challenges facing small communities – i.e., insufficient doctors, ER closures, mill closures, access to services, lousy roads, etc.,” he said in a statement, the Merritt Herald reported.

Lali’s statement also says the ag sector has helped benefit all British Columbians, and that “rural BC has no voice in this government.”

Despite switching party allegiances, Lali doesn’t plan to run in next year’s provincial election.

Instead, the 68-year-old plans to advise BC United Leader Kevin Falcon on rural issues, he told Radio NL in an interview.

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