There is a new face in the office of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP Jati Sidhu, who has announced that Gail Madrigga has been named his new Northern Constituency Coordinator.
Madrigga will work on a part-time basis as the contact person for residents in the northern communities in his riding, including Lillooet, Lytton, Spences Bridge, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Gold Bridge, and Bralorne.
“When you have a riding as geographically large as Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon, it’s crucial we have representation in areas where people can’t easily visit their MP’s constituency office,” Sidhu says. “Gail knows the people in the area and she knows the issues they face, making her a natural fit for the role.”
Madrigga brings a wealth of experience to the role, including stints as Executive Director for both the Cariboo and Lillooet Friendship Centre Societies. She also has extensive experience in health-care and has lengthy volunteer experience with many organizations, including the Lillooet Hospice Society.
“I’m proud to call Lillooet home,” she says. “I was born here, and lived here until graduating high school in 1965. I left to pursue a career in nursing and returned in 1999.” Her husband is a retired RCMP officer, so Madrigga says they moved around quite a bit. Before going MP Sidhu’s office, she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Lillooet and in extended care at Mountain View Lodge, and was a medical lab assistant in Ashcroft.
“I’ve been fortunate to make a good life here, and I feel well-prepared for this new opportunity. I’m happy to join MP Sidhu’s team and to do my part to represent him and serve the constituents in my part of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon.”
Madrigga replaces Jacquie Rasmussen, who served as Sidhu’s Northern Constituency Coordinator starting in early 2016. Rasmussen stepped down from the role just before Christmas 2017 to spend more time with her family and focus on her consulting work.
“Jacquie did a great job for us. She served my office with the same commitment, tenacity, and good humour she has brought to all her community work and volunteerism,” Sidhu says. “We’re looking forward to Gail picking up right where Jacquie left off and helping us best serve the people of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon.”
Madrigga says “Constituents are free to contact me about any federal issue they either need assistance with or want to bring to MP Sidhu’s attention. I’m happy to listen, and happy to help.”
She is in regular contact with the Mission constituency office, and all concerns are relayed to MP Sidhu, either by the staff or by Madrigga. “He is briefed regularly on all concerns or issues that constituents bring to our attention.
“If someone needs help getting paperwork for, say, a passport or filing their taxes, those can of course be taken care of very quickly. If it’s something more in-depth, I coordinate with constituency staff to assist. Further, if constituents want to contact Mr. Sidhu directly, they may write or call his Ottawa and Mission offices, or reach him by e-mail at jati.sidhu@parl.gc.ca.”
She says that she will be making visits to hold informal “office hours” in different communities, usually at a community centre or coffee house. “It’s a great way for people to sit down with me, have a chat, and share their ideas or concerns. We’ll be starting these a little later in the year, and we’ll be promoting them through local press and MP Sidhu’s social media presence.”
Madrigga adds that MP Sidhu and some of his team will be conducting town halls throughout the riding in March to discuss a national seniors’ strategy. “We’re urging anyone who has questions, ideas, or concerns on seniors’ issues to join us.”
Town halls will take place in Lytton (March 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Lytton Anglican Parish Hall); Lillooet (March 13, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Lillooet Rec Centre); Cache Creek (March 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cache Creek Community Hall); and Ashcroft (March 14, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Ashcroft Community Hall).
Constituents of MP Sidhu living in the northern part of the constituency may reach Gail Madrigga with their questions or concerns at (250) 256-8545.
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