Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster will be keeping tabs on his colleagues in Victoria. Foster has been named as the deputy whip for the Liberal caucus. That means he will help whip John van Dongen ensure the party’s MLAs are in the House when they’re supposed to be there. “The job is to keep people in line,” said Foster. “If somebody wants to be away from the Legislature, they need to get leave.” Foster says the whip and deputy whip are particularly crucial during any votes and when the opposition party is making presentations in the Legislature. While whips are occasionally described as enforcers, Foster doesn’t believe that will become a necessary part of his new job. “This is a bunch of professionals,” he said of the elected officials. “We don’t need to enforce anything. It’s more about scheduling,” he said. Foster applied for the position of deputy whip when Premier Gordon Campbell asked members of the Liberal caucus if there was anyone interested.
As a new MLA, Foster says being deputy whip will allow him to become familiar with the complex issues facing the province as well as the individuals involved in decision-making. “I will get a real quick learn on what’s going on,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to working with van Dongen. On top of his $100,000 annual salary as an MLA, Foster will earn about $15,000 for his duties as Liberal caucus deputy whip.
1 comment:
As a mute MLA liberal candidate he was never to be heard, but when an extra $15,000 is available he is completely able to speak.
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