Photo: Contributed

Renee Merrifield was surprised when interim BC Liberal leader Shirley Bond asked her if she was interested in becoming the opposition health critic in the party's shadow cabinet.

"I was shaking when Shirley asked me," Merrifield told Castanet News. "But honestly, it was shaking with excitement.

"What an exciting role I have, to actually ask the questions, and make sure that government is held accountable."

Bond informed Merrifield of the decision Sunday, just days after she was sworn in, and shortly after officially being declared the winner in Kelowna-Mission.

"I thought maybe I would get something a little bit smaller than health," she said.

"But, when I asked Shirley why she chose me, she said it's because I can balance compassion and people with asking the hard questions.

While Merrifield, CEO of Troika Development, doesn't seem to have experience when it comes to the health field, she did spend time on the board of Interior Health, and served on other boards which she says should give her real world experience.

"What I lack in direct experience, I make up for in hard work, diligence, excitement and passion.

"I am committed to being the best conduit for great health choices for our province."

Merrifield already has a fan in outgoing health critic Norm Letnick.

The Kelowna-Lake Country MLA, who made no secret of his desire to be health minister had the Liberals won the Oct. 24 election, says he enthusiastically endorsed her when asked by Bond.

"I am ecstatic that Renee is going to be the health critic. She is very capable, far more capable that I ever was," said Letnick.

"She has that confidence about her, it's like an X-Factor in politics. Not everyone has that X-Factor, but she definitely does."

Letnick says he enthusiastically endorsed her when Bond asked for his input.

Merrifield's appointment came on the same day a scathing report outlining systemic racism against Indigenous people within the health care system.

"I was heartbroken. I want everyone to walk into, whether it's a hospital or their physicians office, and be treated equally, and to be treated without any discrimination,": said Merrifield.

"This is a story that needs a lot of compassion. Compassion for those that have felt discrimination, but also compassion for our front line workers.They are taking it on the chin right now, and we need to be understanding, we need to be supportive, and some of the biggest questions I'll be asking is what can we do, how do we best help them."