On Friday March 3, 2023, Hon. Mike Farnworth, British Columbia Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister, visited Salt Spring Island with me.
We met with the local RCMP detachment and Salt Spring Fire to learn more about the challenges they face maintaining public safety in the community.
In addition, we attended ASK Salt Spring for a 2-hour question and answer meeting with the public. It was a fantastic exchange with topics ranging from policing, public safety, cannabis regulation, mental health, addictions, roads, road safety, road maintenance, safe cycling lanes on Fulford-Ganges, ferries, ferry terminals, and many more.
In Question Period, I thanked Minister Farnworth for visiting Salt Spring, noted the gratitude of my constituents for the open and honest discussion. I asked what he learned about the community and what support is available for the construction of a new fire hall and communications infrastructure.
[Transcript]
A. Olsen:
Today, I’m going to do something a little different than what normally happens in here for the 30 minutes of question period. I had the honour of hosting the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General last Friday to Salt Spring Island. We had the opportunity to meet with some of the first responders on the island. I just want to say that in the follow-up from that meeting on Friday, my constituents on Salt Spring are very happy for the open and honest dialogue that the Minister of Public Safety had.
We met with the RCMP detachment sergeant, Clive Seabrook, whose community-minded policing is very welcome and well received by the islanders. We met for lunch with fire chief Jamie Holmes. Grateful to the cook and fire volunteer, Mysha Dewar-McClelland, for the delicious chili, cornbread and salad that was served to us.
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker:
Please continue.
A. Olsen:
I’d like to know what it was that he heard from my community on Salt Spring with respect to public safety and their needs.
Hon. M. Farnworth:
I appreciate the question from the member, because it was an interesting discussion we had with the residents of Salt Spring Island, who brought forward a number of suggestions, how much they value their local detachment and how much they believe in terms of relationship building. They identified some of the challenges that small communities such as his — and, I know, occur in other parts of the province — have to deal with, which is where officers come into a community and they’re only there for a short time, particularly when you’re dealing with communities that have aboriginal communities, where that relationship is so absolutely critical.
[10:50 a.m.]
They asked me, is there a way in which we can ensure that police in communities like his and, indeed, in other communities don’t just do two or three years but have the ability to stay longer.
And I said: “Yeah, you know what? That’s something that I know is a problem. It’s something that the committee on police reform identified as a problem.” And I said: “It is something I intend to take up with the federal minister on that.” That’s one of the things that we heard, and I thought it was a very valuable discussion. So I thank the member for arranging that meeting.
Mr. Speaker:
Member, supplemental.
A. Olsen:
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the role of question period is to hold government accountable, but it’s also, I think, the role of this House to be constructive. I think that when we have first responders who are here today, who put their lives on the line for our constituents, day in and day out, it’s important that they can see that we have both the role of accountability, which they’re seeing, and also the role of being constructive.
We heard a range of issues, as the minister pointed out — many of them. In fact, Saltspring Islanders are looking forward to a meeting with the Minister of Transportation, because many of the issues over there are about roads, road quality, road maintenance, the much-desired cycling lanes on Fulford-Ganges, specifically.
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker:
Shhh. Members. Members.
A. Olsen:
I know. Yes, I’m getting to the question, Members. I’m getting to the question. There were….
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker:
Members, please. Nobody interrupts.
A. Olsen:
There were specific questions, to the minister, raised by the fire service on Saltspring. They’re in the process of building a new fire hall. I think that all of the members here that have served in volunteer fire and paid fire services know the value of their fire halls, and they also know the value of their communications.
To the Minister of Public Safety: what role can the provincial government play in supporting Saltspring Island with the construction of their new fire hall and their new communication services?
Hon. M. Farnworth:
Again, I appreciate the question, because one of the great things about this meeting was to learn firsthand some of the challenges that his community — and other communities, I have no doubt — face. One of them is that the construction around that new fire hall and the issues and the challenges that they’re facing over financing. I have committed to the member that I would be speaking with my colleagues the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Minister of Finance in terms of how….
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker:
Please continue.
Hon. M. Farnworth:
Thank you, hon. Speaker. I heard the comments across the way, and I’d just like to remind the member that — you know what? — when members do ask a question, they do get an answer. Just like when the….
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker:
Shhh.
Hon. M. Farnworth:
Such as when the member for Kootenay East rose last week and asked a question about driver’s licensing in the Ukrainian language. I told him that we would deal with it. And, hon. Speaker, as I told him yesterday — and I’ll tell the rest of his colleagues — that issue is going to be dealt with and be completed by the 27th of March.
In answer to the member’s question, I have committed to getting those answers, and I will do just that.
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