In this update, I highlight the provincial government’s announcement on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project and share a few thoughts I have on local government and housing leading into my first Union of BC Municipalities Convention as an MLA, in September.
Last week, I was at the Legislature meeting with my colleagues and preparing for the upcoming fall session. We had to juggle the calendar, and I appreciate everyone who we asked to accommodate the changes. I apologize for the inconvenience, we strive to keep schedule changes to a minimum.
Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (Kinder Morgan)
We continue to focus on delivering the commitments outlined in the Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Government. This week they took action on Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) project.
The Government announced they have hired Thomas Berger as external counsel to lead the Provinces legal strategy, and that the BC Government will intervene in a three-day Judicial Review held by the Federal Court of Appeal. They will hear arguments from 19 groups who are challenging the National Energy Board’s report and recommendation issued in May 2016, and the Federal Government’s Order-in-Council approving the project.
In addition, they announced that construction is not likely to start in mid-September, as was announced by Kinder Morgan. Apparently, five of eight Environmental Management Plans are not yet complete, and therefore have not been approved.
I am pleased with these initial actions. The NEB’s TMX project assessment is profoundly flawed, the evidence was not tested. From our riding’s perspective, it fails to adequately address the marine impacts of the pipeline. It virtually ignores the huge increases in tankers carrying diluted bitumen through the Salish Sea, the increased threat of a spill, and overestimates our ability to respond quickly and effectively to a spill. This project must be stopped.
Municipalities and Housing
We are planning for the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver. This annual gathering of all the local government officials is a critical opportunity for the provincial government to strengthen relationships with our colleagues.
There are major issues around housing, affordability, and transportation plaguing the urban centres and the need to ensure the prosperity of communities in rural British Columbia. Each week Mayors, Councillors, Directors and Trustees make important decisions about land use, community and regional planning.
A sustainable and resilient economy, requires local governments and the Province to be partners in building well-planned communities, with efficient and compassionate services, while nurturing the life-sustaining eco-systems that make British Columbia supernatural.
Our homes should provide us stability, they are the platform that we build the rest of our lives on. Unfortunately, more and more British Columbians are having difficulties finding suitable housing. Housing is adding stress to their lives and decreasing their quality of life and productivity. While the real estate market is producing high revenues for the Province in the short-term, a stressed out, over-extended workforce is not good for the economy.
The previous provincial government blamed local politicians for the housing and affordability problem, claiming they are restricting supply of housing units, they are slow, and their fees are too high.
British Columbia is a desireable place to live and there is an endless supply of demand. While we need to build housing, we have to take care because growing ourselves out of the problem alone creates other challenges, like traffic congestion.
It has been a few years since I commuted to downtown Victoria on a regular basis. In 2007, I worked at the University of Victoria and often bussed from the Saanich Peninsula. This summer, I have added one more single occupant vehicle to the local roads and I have put on a lot of kilometres.
In the middle of a meeting this week, I was complaining about the traffic and reminiscing about the days when the region wasn’t so congested. I was rightly reminded that I was the congestion problem!
I justify the need for my vehicle because who is busier than an MLA, right? But, with some discipline and time management, I should be able to change my behaviour to accommodate the local transit schedule.
Dramatically increasing the number of housing units produces dramatic impacts on schools, police, fire, social services and of course, traffic. Addressing housing and affordability will require discipline in community development, greater levels of coordination between neighbouring local governments, and cooperation between different levels of government.
I am going to be part of the congestion solution next week and in the weeks to come. My personal goal is to make our second vehicle unnecessary. Make sure to ask me about my progress on this when you see me.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday are booked solid with meetings in the Sidney office and at the Legislature. I will be visiting Saturna Island on Wednesday and Pender Island on Thursday, for meetings with constituents.
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