Inderpal Dhillon Questions & Answers
Liberal Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Candidate Questionnaire on Key Issues. Inderpal Dhillon Q&A
Questions by Danny Nunes | Answers written by Inderpal Dhillon
4/17/20256 min read
Hello Kitimat team,
1. As a Terrace City Councillor and local entrepreneur, how do you plan to leverage your experience to address the specific needs of Skeena-Bulkley Valley residents in Ottawa?
As a Terrace City Councillor and entrepreneur, I understand the real challenges facing our region—whether it’s housing, healthcare, or economic opportunity. I’ll bring that hands-on experience to Ottawa, ensuring federal decisions reflect our local realities. I’ll advocate for economic development, adequate healthcare, and stronger Indigenous partnerships. Using my municipal experience, I want to bridge the gap between Northwest communities and national policy. For this to happen, we want the MP from the ruling party in our region. Our voices deserve to be heard in Ottawa.
2. How will you ensure that Liberal policies directly benefit smaller communities like Terrace, Kitimat, and Prince Rupert?
As a Liberal MP, I’ll ensure our region actually shapes—not just receives—federal policy. I’ll advocate for targeted investments in housing, healthcare, clean energy, and infrastructure targeted towards communities like Terrace, Kitimat, and Prince Rupert. Cutting red tape is an important agenda for Liberal Party in upcoming elections. Being part of the governing caucus gives me a direct seat at the table to push for local priorities, secure funding, and ensure that federal programs reflect our unique needs in Northwest B.C.
3. What specific immigration policies will you advocate for to support Northwest B.C.’s economy while addressing housing and healthcare pressures?
I’ll advocate for immigration policies that focus on regional needs—prioritizing skilled workers for sectors like healthcare, forestry, and trades. New Canadians have fueled our economy in the past, and have the potential to support our economic growth, to address our demographic shifts and to help withstand economic shocks now and into the future. By aligning newcomers with workforce gaps and community infrastructure, we can grow Northwest B.C.’s economy without overburdening housing or healthcare systems.
4. What concrete steps will you take to recruit more doctors and support a detox centre in Terrace?
I’ll work directly with provincial and local health partners to secure federal funding for recruiting doctors and establishing a detox centre in Terrace. This includes leveraging federal health transfers, advocating for targeted rural healthcare funding, and pushing for programs like student loan forgiveness for rural doctors. I’ll ensure our region gets its fair share by being a strong, persistent voice in Ottawa for our healthcare.
5. How do you plan to ensure Skeena-Bulkley Valley gets its fair share of housing investment?
I’ll fight to ensure Skeena–Bulkley Valley is fully included in any national housing strategy, including Mark Carney’s proposal. Liberal government has also proposed to eliminate the GST for first time home buyers, which will save up to $50,000 on purchase of their first home. As a liberal candidate, I would initiate fast-tracking Indigenous-led projects, and working with local governments to unlock land and speed up approvals. I’ll ensure new federal investments support housing in places like Terrace, Hazelton, and First Nations communities—where the need is urgent and long overdue.
6. How will you work to advance truth and reconciliation?
I’ll prioritize direct, respectful partnerships with First Nations to advance truth and reconciliation. That means securing long-term, stable funding for housing, education, healthcare, and infrastructure—delivered in ways that respect Indigenous governance. A cordial approach will be stemmed from United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People. Mark Carney has announced doubling and acceleration of the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, which will expand First Nation, Inuit and Metis participation in major projects. This is already a positive lead moving in this direction.
7. How do you balance economic development with protecting the natural landscape of Skeena-Bulkley Valley?
While billions of dollars are on the table, and millions of jobs are at stake, balancing economic growth with environmental protection justifies responsible, community-led development. With creating 15 new National Urban Parks, the stand of Liberal is crystal in the minds of Canadians. We can grow our economy—through clean energy, forestry, and mining—without sacrificing the beauty and health of Skeena Bulkley Valley. The priority is sustainability.
8. How will you differentiate your approach from the NDP incumbent’s records on doctor shortages and the drug addiction crisis?
As a candidate for Liberals, I’d differentiate my approach in addressing the doctors’ shortages and the drug addiction crisis in our region the northwest B.C. By building our party’s commitment in improving healthcare and support those struggling with addiction. I will make sure the people in our community don’t have to choose between filling up their prescription or putting food on the table. Me along with my party’s support would invest in programmes to incentivize healthcare professionals to practice in underserved communities. My vision is to invest in detox centres and harm reduction services. We will also address the root cause, the social determinants of health that contribute to addiction.
9. How do you propose to address the workforce shortage caused by recent immigration policy changes?
Immigration is foundational to Canada’s fabric and our proud history. New Canadians have the potential to support our economic growth and to help withstand the economic shock. But we can only achieve these goals if it’s done the right way and at the right pace. We also need to be mindful of not adding pressure on housing and social service and not allowing an over reliance on foreign labour that drives down the wage of hard-working Canadian workers. By working together and taking a pragmatic approach, we can address workforce shortages and support economic growth.
10. What’s your top priority in the final stretch to convince voters before the April 28 election?
This is the first time in many years that Skeena-Bulkley valley has a candidate from the Liberals. Since Mark Carney is gaining popularity day by day, I firmly believe he will be coming back with full mandate. So, we need MP from the same political party to leverage the benefits in Skeena-Bulkley valley from federal policies. This will increase development rate in our region in multi-folds. As evident from past, a different MP and an opposite ruling party often ends up wasting time and resources. Our riding is one of the biggest riding in Canada. I am travelling to different communities with this key idea, and to focus on listening to the concerns and needs of Skeena-Bulkley Valley residents, addressing their questions, and showcasing the party's commitment to the region.
11. How do you think Mark Carney’s leadership would address transportation and climate resilience in Northwest B.C.?
As Liberal candidate, I believe Mark Carney's leadership would significantly benefit Northwest B.C. by addressing its unique challenges. Given his background as a globally recognized Canadian economist, public policy leader, and sustainability advocate, Mark Carney is a strong face to tackle current economic obstacles and lead the cadre to steady growth. His vision prioritizes climate-resilient design for transportation infrastructure, ensuring that economic diversification and environment goes hand in hand. Personally, I will focus in building partnerships with local stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and industry leaders to drive economic development while ensuring environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
12. What are the top three issues you’re hearing from voters and how do you plan to address them?
Housing and Affordability:
Mark Carney announced the most ambitious housing plan since WWII. I will ensure to double the pace of construction, create Build Canada Homes (BCH), cut red tape, and lower building costs. The GST elimination on homes under $1 million will save families up to $50,000.
Drugs and Community Safety:
Support for community-based safety initiatives, funding emergency services, and addressing root causes of addiction. I’ll work with health partners to recruit doctors and establish detox centers.
Climate Change:
Fight against climate change with reduced emissions, investment, and a forward-looking economy. Support sustainable growth through forestry, mining, and clean energy while protecting our environment.
13. How would you address Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs and their effects on Skeena-Bulkley Valley’s economy?
The potential tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. presents an opportunity for Skeena-Bulkley Valley to diversify its economy and strengthen local industries. Our agenda of economic diversification backs our industries to explore new markets and trade opportunities beyond the U.S., reducing dependence on a single market. The tariffs can drive innovation and adaptation in industries like forestry, mining, and energy, leading to more sustainable and competitive practices. I will strive to make the port of Kitimat and Rupert a hub for international trade corridors. By embracing diversification, innovation, and resilience, I will make sure Skeena-Bulkley Valley can turn the challenges posed by tariffs into opportunities for growth and development.
Thank you
