City of Cranbrook Councillor Tom Shypitka announced June 29 that he is seeking the nomination for the BC Liberal candidacy in the Kootenay East riding.

Shypitka made the announcement during a gathering at the Cranbrook Curling Club.

“As many of you know, I am an active curler and this curling club is like a second home to me, and if you don’t believe me there are is a picture that serves as a painful reminder at the top of the stairs when you first walk in. If you ever wondered what a perm looks like on a 16-year-old kid then take a peak when you leave tonight… but please take no photos. What happens at the curling club stays at the curling club,” he joked in the opening of his announcement speech.

Shypitka, like former Kootenay-Columbia MP and District of Sparwood Mayor David Wilks, is stepping forward in a bid to fill outgoing MLA and Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett’s shoes, who is stepping away from Victoria in 2017 after 16 years (four terms) on the job.

“He has been our champion for this region for past 16 years and arguably the best MLA we have ever had. I think Bill deserves the highest accolades and recognition for his hard work,” Shypitka said.

“In the past year, I have been a director of the BC Liberal Party and have worked alongside Bill and the executive on a couple successful initiatives and I have learned a lot talking with Bill and learning what it takes to be a successful MLA. Bill has taken the time to mentor me and I am thankful for that.

“I have learned of the personal and family sacrifices that must be made and the amount of endless hard work that must go into his job. Just like running a business, there are no nine-to-five days, and off on weekends. There are no regular holidays and you don’t turn work off at any time. This work ethic cannot be taught. It is absolutely imperative that your next MLA is prepared to be committed 100% to the constituents of this riding.”

Shypitka is a fourth generation Cranbrook/East Kootenay resident; his father was born in West Fernie.

“The East Kootenay has been my home and will always be my home. I have a family and many friends here and I would love the opportunity to help this region more directly at a provincial level,” he said.

Along with being a first-term city councillor, Shypitka is also a city representative on the Regional District of East Kootenay board of directors and on the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District board. He is also vice chair for the city’s Community Directed Funds Committee and sits on other initiatives such as work with the Salvation Army and red carpet committee.

“My short political career has taught me that the biggest ally that you can have is an ear for listening; a heart to truly care and to be respectful of others and their opinions. In short, you have to listen more than you talk,” he said, adding, “All the political experience in the world will not guarantee you a strong work ethic or a person who truly cares. What a lot of political experience will guarantee you is a politician and that is not what I am all about. I don`t think people want to elect a politician as much as they want an honest hardworking person that is truly dedicated.”

Shypitka pointed out that Bennett, one of the longest serving members of the ruling BC Liberal Party, had “zero political experience as an elected official before he ran for his first nomination, but it was his heart and his undying work ethic that made him successful and that is what I am offering you today. I will work my butt off for everyone in this room, and every constituent from Moyie all the way to the Elkford.”

Another lesson learned for Shypitka in the past two years is working with all constituents.

“You have to be able to work with people. You can be a very experienced politician, but if you lack the social skills to communicate, garner trust, handle conflict, complaints and work well with not only your fellow MLAs but also to some extent, those on the opposition then you will never be able to get work done for your region.

“The most successful MLAs are the ones who win over their peers with a true sense of unity and the key to it all of course is… teamwork,” he said, promising if elected he will work “collaboratively with all of our teams including, First Nations, municipalities, villages, ranchers, land users, developers, the mining sector, the arts, the senior community, youth groups and funding partners such as the Columbia Basin Trust. Then from there working with my team in Victoria to get things done back here in the Kootenays.”

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