After four years in provincial politics, Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson will be stepping into the role of assistant deputy speaker for the B.C. Conservatives.
His appointment was announced Thursday, Nov. 21, along with several others for his party, led by MLA John Rustad.
"I'm very excited," Doerkson told Black Press Media. "It's an incredible honour to be asked to perform that duty for sure."
He admitted he has lots to learn still from the legislature and being deputy speaker will be a great opportunity.
There are three positions within the legislature - a speaker, deputy speaker and assistant deputy speaker.
"I would represent the opposition with respect being the assistant deputy speaker," he explained. "The thing that is probably most noticeable that most people will see often on the news is of course the question period. Question period is moderated by the speaker of the house. In the speaker's absence, the deputy speaker would step in to fill that role."
Doerkson said he has never seen the assistant deputy speaker not be there and so the role he will more often fill will be one of moderating debates, where members have an opportunity to share on any topic they choose such as the budget, throne speech or bills that will be debated back and forth.
There will also be opportunities to moderate the Monday morning statements in the legislature.
"I will have plenty of time in the chair to be part of those debates and I am looking forward to that."
So far the B.C. Conservatives have met a couple of times as a group.
They were sworn in last week and Doerkson said it was exciting to be together for the second time.
"The first time was a matter of two days and I think last week was a matter of two days again. It is going to take some time to really get to know each other but I think we are generally pretty excited about the prospect of getting back to the legislature and the business of the day."
He said Premier David Eby will be the one to decide whether the legislature will resume or not in 2024.
"I would be shocked and I think taxpayers might be frustrated to hear that we are not called by but that is 100 per cent up to Premier Eby to decide that. I certainly hope that we get back sooner rather than later. There are obviously many topics to discuss and I think it's important that we get to work."
Doerkson said they were elected to serve and the way they serve is being in the legislature representing their riding.
Challenges of expanded riding
This time around, the Cariboo Chilcotin riding has expanded to include communities such as Ashcroft, Cherry Creek, Savona,Tobiano, Cache Creek and Clinton, in addition to the existing boundary from Anahim Lake to Likely and Williams Lake south.
Doerkson is hoping to open another office so he can establish a regular presence in the southern extent of the riding.
"I do feel compelled to be able to reach out to residents in the southern part of the riding. In the coming week or two I'm going to be working on trying to find a temporary area in probably Ashcroft," he said, adding he has been in conversation with the Ashcroft Hub as a possibility for a part-time office.
He said he plans to establish a regular schedule for his constituents, so residents will know when they can visit his offices. As a result his offices in 100 Mile House and Williams Lake may see changes in hours to accommodate a third office.
"It does represent a pretty significant challenge trying to run three offices in three different communities," he said. "It is definitely going to be challenging to do that financially, particularly when you compare it to other ridings that only have one office."
In the meantime, he is looking forward to a number of Christmas fairs and parades and other events throughout the riding which he plans to attend.
"I've been to many quite a bit already and look forward with engaging with residents more."
It is a big riding and he's happy to serve, he added.
"I am going to do everything in my power to make myself available to all residents in the Cariboo Chilcotin."
Editor's note: The article has been updated in the headline and first sentence to say deputy speaker, as is explained further in the original article.
