Chartered accountant David Splett has been nominated by the BC Conservatives as an MLA candidate for North Vancouver-Lonsdale.
With more than 30 years of international experience in financial and operational management, the 58-year-old hopes to bring his world knowledge and accounting expertise to local politics.
“I have extensive experience in policy making, cost controls, infrastructure project management, taxation, and sustainable development,” said Splett.
Splett returned to Vancouver four years ago after a stint in Mexico City, where he had been posted as the chief financial officer for Latin America for Elevation Gold corporation. Upon his return, he worked as a CFO elsewhere until July this year, when he left, he said, “to focus on this provincial election.”
Alongside a stint in Mexico, Splett, who said he has “lived and worked in numerous countries,” also worked for five years in Peru and has a U.K.-based degree.
Regardless of where he finds himself in the world, Splett said he and his wife – he has been “happily married” to the mother of his three sons Brenda-Jayne for over 25 years – always try to offer a helping hand to a good cause whenever possible.
“My wife and I have participated in community service in the various locations where we have lived, dating back to our time in Trail, B.C., where I served on the Selkirk College board, and with the Kootenay Boundary Hospital Foundation,” said Splett, adding how they both also currently support various charities.
Given his background in finance and operations, Splett said he is focused on increasing healthcare spending, by “reducing NDP government waste, that drains money from core programs,” and reducing the cost of living by reducing taxes.
“NDP taxation revenue has increased by 50 per cent from 2018 through 2023,” he said.
Splett said that “almost 65 per cent of businesses” are currently evaluating leaving the province as a result of NDP policies, adding that he also plans to focus on economic development and attracting business to the province.
Touching on how overdose deaths have increased in the province, which in turn consumes police and healthcare resources, Splett said he hopes to end the supply of illicit drugs, should he be elected.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
