Wednesday September 6, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 10:30 am]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Click to see: September 7, 2023 announcement – candidate in Vancouver-Renfrew
A former pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon is running to be an MLA in British Columbia. That alone should be a signal about how challenged the health care system is in BC.
Dr Sanjiv Gandhi is already second deputy leader of the BC Green Party (appointed by party leader Sonia Furstenau in January 2023) and describes himself as an advocate for improving Canadian healthcare.
Tomorrow in Vancouver he will be announcing his MLA candidacy, accompanied by BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau and Leader of the Green Party of Canada, Elizabeth May. The 10:30 am announcement will be livestreamed on X (Twitter).
Dr Gandhi has been outspoken about how the COVID pandemic was handled in 2020 and 2021 (and how long COVID is currently being handled) in BC. He is also concerned about the doctor shortage. He was present on election night for BC Green Langford-Juan de Fuca candidate Camille Currie back in July.
“MLA Adam Olsen, Dr. Lisa Gunderson, Dr. Gandhi and I make up our party’s Leadership Team. We will work hard to hold the government to account, to nurture relationships with professional and community groups, and build our base of supporters in anticipation of the next election,” said Furstenau back in January.
Dr Gandhi answers why he has turned to politics: “At the end of my heart surgery career, I want to continue to make a difference,” Dr. Gandhi said. “Not with a scalpel but armed with three decades of knowledge about healthcare and people. The BC Greens promote values important to me – integrity, hard work, humility, and caring for fellow humans.
Background:
- Dr. Sanjiv Gandhi – Former B.C. Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, and will be the party’s candidate for the next provincial election.
- Dr. Lisa Gunderson – a clinical psychologist and anti-racism/equity consultant, as well as the party’s candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head for the next provincial election.
