Delta municipal councillor Sylvia Bishop has been acclaimed by the B.C. New Democrat Party to represent the riding of Delta North in the 2013 provincial election, replacing outgoing MLA Guy Gentner.
Bishop confirmed she was formally nominated by the Delta North NDP riding association Sunday (Dec. 2) at the George Mackie Library.
"I'm inspired by Adrian Dix and his message of positive change," said Bishop in a telephone interview on Monday (Dec. 3). "We know that under 12 years of Liberal policy and government that B.C. is not better off than it was and they haven't done much for the average British Columbian."
Bishop said she will continue to serve as councillor until the people of North Delta vote on May 14.
That decision has come under fire by some critics on social media websites, arguing she should vacate her council seat while she seeks election in the Victoria legislature.
"I certainly have the capacity and the energy to continue to fully, completely do my council work. That is my first obligation. That is what people elected me to do and that's what I'm going to continue to do."
Bishop said every candidate faces the same challenge of balancing the demands of their work life with the demands of the campaign trail.
Working on city council has convinced Bishop that some issues can only be solved at a provincial level, citing education and health care as top of mind, followed by transportation.
"We know that in Delta, no matter where you go, traffic volume and traffic congestion is a headache," she said.
Should Bishop win the riding next May, a civic by-election would need to be held to replace her seat on council. The next municipal election is not scheduled to take place until November, 2014.