MARINA SAPOZHNIKOV
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Political party: How long have you been a member?
I have been a member of BC Conservative Party for about 2 years.
Do you live in the riding, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to the riding?
I live in Cobble Hill which is now part of JDF/Malahat riding. Have lived here for 11 years.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I have been a physician for 37 years.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community and why?
This riding is large and diverse with different areas facing different challenges and concerns. Several concerns are common throughout the riding however, including affordability, housing and the state of our health care system. For the Sooke area the most pressing concern is failing infrastructure, which includes roads, water and sewer. For the north part of our riding which includes more agricultural lands, there are concerns around the water supply and the rising cost of operations.
What actions or efforts have you taken to learn the concerns of your constituents?
As a doctor, I have been listening to my patients concerns long before deciding to run as a candidate. The state of our healthcare system is one of the biggest reasons that I decided to engage in politics. Since becoming a candidate, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors and spoken with thousands of people living in this riding.
I’ve spoken with my doctor colleagues and with farmers; I’ve pulled smolts from nets and released them into the ocean with volunteer anglers; I’ve spoken with parents and teachers, with builders and with retirees. People are starved to be listened to.
What do you want to see improved in British Columbia in four, eight and 20 years?
I see the most urgent issue as the improvement of our healthcare system because people are suffering and need help now.
Our Party policies identify our short term and long-term goals within every aspect of our food security, the environment and the economy. These issues are deeply interconnected and need to be addressed in a logical and systematic order.
How would you go about addressing contentious issues within your riding?
I believe that there has to be room for civil debate and free and open exchange of ideas. As a democratic society, we benefit from listening to all viewpoints. We need to find a way to meet in the middle and work out our differences.
Would you vote against your party and leader if it were best for your constituents?
John Rustad, leader of the BC Conservatives, has stated that he pledges to do politics differently.
He has led by example. He put his constituents ahead of his Party when he was a member of the BC Liberal Party and he’s stated he will require the same from us. In Conservative Party our fist responsibility as MLAs lies with our constituents and the second is with the Party.
Why do you think you are qualified to do this job?
After working as a physician for 37 years, it has become my nature to listen to people, make serious and thoughtful decisions, consider multiple options, while looking for the best solution, and above all, care. I believe that these qualities are of paramount importance in an MLA but unfortunately, not very prevalent in government these days.
Why are you running – what’s your motivation?
There are many reasons that drew me to politics. However, the proverbial “last straw” for me was the worsening state of healthcare, where I found myself unable to help my patients. Understanding that change was needed, I could not stay on the sidelines and watch my patients suffer.
ABOUT JUAN DE FUCA-MALAHAT
Juan de Fuca-Malahat is a new riding for this election — essentially what’s left of the previous Langford-Juan de Fuca riding after you carve away Langford.
The old riding was held by former New Democrat premier John Horgan until he retired. His successor, Ravi Parmar, was elected in a byelection and is running this election in Langford-Highlands.
THE CANDIDATES IN JUAN DE FUCA-MALAHAT
The candidates in this election are:
- Green candidate David Evans, an entrepreneur
- New Democrat Dana Lajeunesse, a Sooke municipal councillor
- Conservative Marina Sapozhnikov, a physician
See the full list of Vancouver Island candidates here. We are posting the candidate questionnaires riding by riding.
ABOUT THE PROFILES
We asked readers what they wanted to ask candidates and used those answers to help shape our election coverage, including candidate questionnaires.
The answers are presented as submitted by the candidates, edited only for length if they exceeded the word limit they were given. We did not correct grammar, spelling or typos.
See an error or something that needs to be changed? You can report it to [email protected] or use the report a typo link below.
