By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SFN chief, councillor lead Malcolmson into swearing-in ceremony in Victoria

Feb 14, 2019 | 12:31 PM

NANAIMO — The B.C. legislature’s newest member is officially on the job.

The NDP’s Sheila Malcolmson was sworn in Thursday morning in Victoria, where she takes over the Nanaimo riding seat vacated by now mayor Leonard Krog.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Malcolmson addressed why she stepped down from federal politics as Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP to join the provincial NDP.

“We need to implement the values New Democrats bring to government,” she said. “I was honoured to be a Member of Parliament, but right now we’ve got a provincial government that’s ready to invest in education, health care, build affordable housing and stand up and protect the coast. All things I’ve been trying to do for the last 15 years.”

Malcolmson was led into the ceremony by Snuneymuxw First Nation chief Mike Wyse and coun. Paul Wyse-Seward.

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Wyse briefly addressed the gallery, saying Snuneymuxw is happy to see Malcolmson take on the Nanaimo MLA seat.

“We have a great history with Sheila, Snuneymuxw people. Over a decade we’ve walked with her on different occasions and had some great times moving forward and we’re very honoured to come and celebrate this day with her and look forward to the future of working together,” he said.

Nanaimo has had a “hard time” recognizing treaty settlements over the years, Malcolmson said.

“Honestly some racist history in our community. To have the chief here drumming me in means so much. Nanaimo has a new mayor and a progressive new council and with the experience I’ve got, we are ready to hit the ground running together and it’s going to be an exciting time for Nanaimo.”

Malcolmson earned 49 per cent of the vote in the Jan. 20 byelection, beating out Tony Harris of the BC Liberals by roughly 10 per cent.

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