Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Sometimes saying goodbye is hard, but for former MLA Doug Clovechok, happiness means leaving provincial politics behind.
After eight years in office representing Columbia River-Revelstoke, Clovechok is bidding the BC legislature farewell.
“It’s been such a privilege and a pleasure to work for the people of this riding, but there is a shelf life to this job,” he said on his Facebook page.
“I knew that time had come when I mentioned that I was going to run again and my kids had a bit of an intervention. They told me I needed to spend some time with them, my wife and my grandkids.”
Before running for office, Clovechok moved into the riding from Alberta and joined the BC Liberal Party (later renamed the BC United Party).
“When I moved here, I wanted to be politically active and I found the BC Liberals. I’m a federal Conservative, so that didn’t quite square with me, but I found out the Liberals were actually conservatives,” said Clovechok.
He joined the riding association and became president, with everything falling into place for him as candidate for the riding. Initially, he was going to run federally, but when he met former BC Liberal leader Christy Clark, his world “changed.”
Clovechok was elected MLA to represent the BC Liberals in 2017 and won the riding for the Liberals again in 2020.
Clovechok is proud of his ability to work “across the aisle” for the benefit of the riding.
Working with the Solicitor General, he was able to secure $15 million for Avalanche Canada over 15 years. He noted that 80 per cent of all avalanche deaths in Canada occur in B.C., yet “we had the lowest funded organization.”
Clovechok said the important aspect about his job is you don’t do it on your own, you do it with the people who elected you.
Clovechok has turned his seat over to newly-elected BC Conservative MLA Scott McInnis.
“To the people of Columbia River-Revelstoke: you have elected an outstanding representative in Scott McInnis. I had a hand in picking him and I knew exactly what this riding needed.”
Looking ahead to retirement, Clovechok can’t wait to spend more time with friends and family.
“I also haven’t gone hunting since I got elected, so there’s no question that I’m going to go back out in the bush next fall. I’m going to hang out with Bill Bennett a little bit and do some hunting and fishing with him.”
Clovechok has received some offers to serve on local committees, but he is undecided about joining anything right now.
“I want to thank everyone in the riding, whether you voted for me or not. I want to thank you for the respect, kindness and friendships that you gave to me . . . it has been an absolute pleasure.”
