TODD Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson and former minister, on Tuesday announced his bid to seek the leadership of the BC Liberal Party.

“Our party is craving a new generation of leadership with a fresh vision for British Columbia,” said Stone. “A new generation that works to help our families and communities prosper while at the same time recognizing that this is only possible by keeping taxes low and BC’s economy strong.”

Stone, the youngest candidate in the leadership race and a former Tech CEO, announced his candidacy in Surrey, using the fast-growing community as an example of what can be achieved when governments of all levels work together.

MLA and former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan, former Surrey mayor and Conservative MP Dianne Watts, and former ministers Andrew Wilkinson, Mike Bernier and Mike de Jong, and former lawyer and MLA Michael Lee are also in the leadership race. Lucy Sager of Spirit Strategies, a Terrace company that does stakeholder engagement on industrial projects, is also running for the leadership. She was the campaign manager for BC Liberal MLA Ellis Ross in the 2017 provincial election.

“British Columbia families need us to work together to find solutions to make their lives better and so that all families realize the benefits of our strong economy both in urban and rural areas,” said Stone. “Tackling affordability, building better connected communities, including rapid transit, are all central to the dialogue I’m looking forward to having with British Columbians over the coming months.”

Stone’s family-focused priorities include a commitment to a major expansion of childcare and early childhood education, increasing supports for those caring for loved ones struggling with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, working to better assist those facing mental health challenges, and reclaiming our place as a climate leader to grow jobs and the economy while also protecting our environment.

“The first time I met Todd, I quickly recognized his love for British Columbia, his love of family and his strong belief in the duty to serve others,” said Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo. “Todd’s commitment to British Columbia, his openness, and his leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to strengthen the BC Liberal Party and defeat the NDP in the next election.“

Other areas of focus include Building the Economy of Tomorrow – embracing and harnessing BC’s technology potential across every sector of the economy, every community, and throughout government. As well as a major shift in how the BC Liberal Party interacts with voters in a move to modernize and expand the party, making it more representative of and relevant to the diverse people and culture that make up our province.

First elected in 2013 from the riding of Kamloops-South Thompson, Stone is serving his second term as an MLA and is the opposition critic for Municipal Affairs. Married for the past 17 years, he is the father of three children, all still in the K-12 school system. Prior to entering public life, Stone was the founder and CEO of a successful tech company.

Learn more at www.toddstone.ca and join the conversation on Facebook.