Stephanie Higginson (left), George Anderson (centre) and Sheila Malcolmson (right) all signed their oaths of office Wednesday, being officially sworn in as MLA's. (BC Legislature)

By Alex Rawnsley

it's official

New Nanaimo & Oceanside MLA’s officially sworn in

Nov 13, 2024 | 4:09 PM

VICTORIA — Nearly a month to the day after winning their seats in the Legislature, two new mid-Island MLAs and two returning members were sworn in to serve their ridings.

Nanaimo-Gabriola’s Sheila Malcolmson and Mid-Island Pacific Rim’s Josie Osborne are returning to Victoria for the new session, joined by first-time members Stephanie Higginson (Ladysmith-Oceanside) and George Anderson (Nanaimo-Lantzville).

Premier David Eby oversaw a ceremony held in the Legislature in Victoria on Wednesday, Nov. 13 where the quartet, part of a 47-member razor-thin majority for the BC NDP, all pledged to serve.

“This is, I think, the most talented, qualified caucus that has ever been elected in British Columbia,” Eby told his colleagues. “I know your experience, I know your hearts, I know where you come from, what you bring to this place and you are going to do an excellent job in representing your communities.”

The four local winners made up a somewhat unexpected clean sweep for the NDP of the central Vancouver Island region.

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Both Ladysmith-Oceanside and Nanaimo-Lantzville were projected to be close races with BC Conservative candidates however a neck-and-neck result never materialized.

Nanaimo-Gabriola and Mid-Island Pacific Rim were considered very safe seats for the party.

Premier David Eby speaks to his caucus after their swearing in ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 13. (BC Legislature)

Eby told the caucus the responsibility of being an MLA and part of government carries “a huge weight”.

“The decisions you’ll be involved in making here have a profound impact on people’s lives, and I think that’s an important message to get. The other message you get, and it’s dangerous, is ‘hey, I’m really important, this is about me’. We know if there was a message that British Columbians sent us here with, it’s not about us, it’s about the communities we’re here to serve.”

Eby said priorities would include addressing cost of living, healthcare accessibility, housing and community safety.

All while “we’re building a strong economy where people can build can build a good life for themselves here.”

In his remarks, Eby also touted the diversity included in the caucus which is made up of roughly two-thirds female MLA’s for the first time in history.

He wrapped his speech to caucus with a simple “you’re sworn in, let’s get to it.”

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