Victoria, BC – IAM District Lodge 250 Directing Business Representative Walter Gerlach will once again serve as Labour’s member at large on the Provincial Executive of the B.C. New Democratic Party. Gerlach was acclaimed for the second consecutive time at the BC NDP 45th convention held recently in Victoria.
Provincial Executive members are elected for two year terms and help guide the efforts of the party. This is Gerlach’s third term as Labour’s member at large, Aaron Ekman, Secretary Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour is the other labour member on the executive.
This was the first convention for the party since forming the new government in May. “This was a tremendous convention, the first one since 2000 when we last held power,” said Gerlach. John Horgan’s address to the 800 convention delegates, his first since taking power centered on the accomplishments of the first one hundred days in office. Ending big money in politics and reforming lobbying laws to ensure public interests, not private interests, drive government decisions was the first point that Horgan drove home. He also spoke of renewing the Human Rights Commission, creating a Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to tackle the growing opioid crisis as well as supporting people and businesses affected by the wildfires.
“Friends, if this is what we can do in 109 days, imagine what else we can do,” said Horgan. “Together, we will build a stronger, fairer, more just province, where no one is left behind.”
photo one: Premier John Horgan’s ties to the IAM have been strong for some time and he hasn’t forgotten the help he received from the members of IAM District Lodge 250. Here he proudly displays the IAM coin he always carries with him (from left to right) Dave Betker –IAM Local Lodge 1857, Roland James Sturt-Smith – Recording Secretary IAM Local Lodge 692, Premier John Horgan, Walter Gerlach – IAM District Lodge 250 Directing Business Representative and BC NDP Provincial Executive Labour member at Large, John Humphrey – IAM District Lodge Business Representative
Photo two: BC Minister of Labour Harry Baines, signs Walter Gerlachs’ nomination papers
