Victoria, B.C. – MLAs have gathered in Victoria for one final sitting of the BC Legislature prior to the May 9 provincial election.

It all begins with the Throne Speech and Prince George-Valemount Liberal MLA Shirley Bond says her government’s priorities won’t be any different than they have been in the past.

“We’ll be focusing on growing the economy, looking at how we get to yes so that we can make sure that we’re seeing the benefits of a strong economy right across British Columbia.”

So, what will that mean for northern, B.C.?

“I think the best thing we can do for all of British Columbia is continue to focus on job creation and a strong economy. Those are the kinds of things that allow us to invest,” says Bond.

“As we’ve seen recently at UNBC (see story here), we also had a significant investment at CNC recently (see story here). Those training programs are important for people as they try to get that training closer to home.”

But she was non-committal on whether there would be money for the replacement of Kelly Road Secondary School included in the provincial budget due to be delivered on Feb. 21.

“I can assure you that this has been a project that has been a priority for our district for a number of years. We have been advocating very hard to see that kind of investment made here in our community,” she says.

“We’re going to continue to tell that story and it’s certainly something as a former school trustee myself, makes a difference. It makes a difference for students and it makes a difference for the teaching staff.

“So, I can tell you we’re making our case well known in Victoria for the need for that school.”