Gandhi has been a frank critic of the government’s medical policy

The British Columbia Green Party has named a second deputy leader in a move leader Sonia Furstenau says is key to preparing for the next local election.

Dr. Sanjiv Gandhi is the former chief of pediatric circulatory and thoracic surgery at B.C. Children’s Hospital and has been an honest critic of the government’s medical policy.

Furstenau told a news conference Monday that the party’s leadership team, which includes deputy leader Lisa Gunderson and Green member of the legislature Adam Olsen, is core to preparing for the next election.

“We will hold the administration to account while suggesting evidence-based solutions, big ideas, [and] action plans,” she said.

  • B.C. continues to contend with rising cases of breathing illness among children
  • Families forced to go out of area for kids’ heart operation amid gap in care at B.C. Children’s Hospital

“We will work with specialists and community groups, support our candidates, and build our base.”

Gandhi said complications in medical care are at the front of people’s worries in the province, and the public hasn’t been educated properly about the risks of COVID-19.

He said B.C. doesn’t have a suitable clean-air plan which should include HEPA filters and carbon dioxide monitors “ubiquitously,” has weak messaging around personal security and has a lacking COVID-19 testing system.

“I think clean air is the main thing that we can do, and we haven’t done it. Schools don’t all have HEPA filters,” he said.

Gandhi called wearing a mask a precautionary measure similar to asking people to get annual checkups or wear a seatbelt and said he believes there must be mandatory masking in closed, indoor public spaces.

    Sonia Furstenau says new premier won’t change Green Party’s approach to evaluating B.C. government in 2023

“And people are going to say, ‘Well, you’re going to mask forever?’ I don’t know. But I unquestionably think that during the winter season, it’s something that we ought to consider from here on in,” he said.

“It’s not that much of a expense, and if it stops kids from getting sick, people from getting sick, or hospices from filling up, operations from being cancelled, it’s well worth it.”

“It’s a common-sense measure and something that shouldn’t be discussed.”

Gandhi said he hasn’t decided yet whether he will run in the next election.