Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Liberal hopeful a small business champion

As a fourth-generation Quesnel resident, Coralee Oakes is a firm believer in community building. Ever since her great-grandparents homesteaded in Moose Heights in 1933, the Oakes have been synonymous with contributing to the fabric of the area.
GP201310304229986AR.jpg

As a fourth-generation Quesnel resident, Coralee Oakes is a firm believer in community building.

Ever since her great-grandparents homesteaded in Moose Heights in 1933, the Oakes have been synonymous with contributing to the fabric of the area.

"When my great grandparents settled there, they needed a school so they got together, they donated land and they built a school. And then my grandparents, living in the same area, we needed a community hall. Again, they donated land, got the community together and got it done," Oakes explained. "So for me, my family legacy is you need to build communities. That's an obligation that you have - to give back."

For the 40-year-old former two-term Quesnel city councillor, carrying the B.C. Liberal banner in Cariboo North is the latest way to potentially give back.

In her 14-year career as manager of the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce, Oakes said she has seen potential investors and residents scared away by a pessimistic outlook on the region.

"I think an elected official has to be the champion for the community. They have to say there's going to be a future here. There is optimism to be felt," she said, which is a message she believes was not being delivered.

"And I've had this conversation with our current MLA and I've said, you know I understand that a lot of times in order to get media attention you have to use certain language to get the message out, but you're also hurting the community."

It's not a matter of sweeping hard times under the rug and hiding from them, but rather learning from them and sending a level of confidence about the future, Oakes explained.

"Are we going through some challenges right now? Absolutely. Have we gone through challenges in the past? Absolutely. Will we be successful? Absolutely."

Political drive has fueled Oakes since before she was old enough to vote.

"Because I've grown up here, the response [to my candidacy] really has been, 'Coralee, we know you've always wanted to do this' and that they know my community commitment in the past and my volunteerism and my work ethic and my family," said Oakes." And whatever their political stripes, people have been very supportive and have been very gracious."

She was introduced to political engagement by her maternal grandparents who began taking her to meetings at the age of 16. By the next year, she was a member of an executive.

"I felt they really listened to me - and they did. I was involved when the federal Reform Party was first starting and I had the opportunity to help write policy. I was a university kid and they allowed me to have a real voice," recalled Oakes, who was so engaged that she ran for the Cariboo-Chilcotin Reform party nomination at the age of 19.

"I put my name forward and I ran and I traveled back and forth from UBC to our riding - and at the time that riding stretched everywhere from Lillooet to Hixon," said Oakes.

She didn't nab the nomination - that went to Philip Mayfield who held the seat for three terms. But it didn't diminish her interest in politics or political engagement, despite her mother having other wishes for her future.

"My mom wanted me to go into accounting," said Oakes. "And I'm like 'no, I have to do political science' and [my parents] were very, very supportive."

Oakes entered the local government battlefield in 2005, and acknowledged the challenge in getting people to put their names on the municipal ballot. "I think, on the local level, people are much more critical to you," she said. "I think it's more difficult to attract people to put their name forward now because, well you just have to turn on the news."

Getting young people involved in the political process - much like she was - is key for Oakes.

"They need to feel their voice is being listened to... and in order for them to vote, they have to know that it matters."

The decision to make a provincial run was actually made two years ago, leading to Oakes' decision to not run for a third term on Quesnel council. She has taken an "extended holiday" from the Chamber of Commerce for the duration of the campaign.

"I was at a position where I'd had many conversations with our MLA about what we needed to be doing to be champions of our region and attracting investment," she said. "I'm a firm believer that you need to step up."

Oakes is also the first to admit she's fallible.

"I'm asking for people to give me a chance, I'm asking for people to take a risk with me. I'm going to make mistakes," she said. "But I can absolutely guarantee you that I'm passionate about this riding. I love it and I'm committed to doing everything I can to make it better."