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Overdose deaths in B.C. and the need for decriminalization
British Columbia has officially been in a public health emergency since April 2016 due to the opioid crisis that is devastating families and communities across the province. Since then more than 5600 British Columbians have died from an illicit drug overdose. It is both tragic and unacceptable....
Will government pause old growth harvesting?
Today I asked the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development if the provincial government will pause harvesting in the highest risk ecosystems as they consult on an old growth forest strategy, and deliver supports for affected workers. I also asked what specific steps...
Budget Estimates 2020: Jobs, Economic Development & Competitiveness
For Budget Estimates in Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness I canvassed a variety of issues in the 45 minutes I had with Minister Michelle Mungall. We covered a number of areas of provincial concern such as resilient supply chains, local manufacturing, focus on stimulus investments, employing youth, economic transitions, general...
Column: $9B tourism sector not getting the support it needs
Over the past few months, I have heard clearly how COVID-19 is devastating the visitor economy (tourism sector) in British Columbia. I know the provincial government has heard the same messages. I’ve shared documentation from business leaders outlining the desperate situation of the industry in British Columbia and the immediate and long-term...
Budget Estimates 2020: Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation
The whirlwind tour through Budget Estimates continued with questions to Hon. Scott Fraser (Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation). With so many important issues and such limited time it's a difficult decision determining what I ask and what is left for another time. In this session I ask Minister Fraser how his Ministry is engaged...
New Innovation Commissioner appointed for British Columbia
Installing an Innovation Commissioner was an important economic initiative proposed by the B.C. Greens in the 2017 election. It became a key policy initiative of the Confidence and Supply Agreement, the founding document for the relationship between the B.C. Green Caucus and the B.C. NDP Caucus and the strength of our minority government. We are...
Budget Estimates 2020: Agriculture
COVID-19 has uncovered many existential risks in our society and economy. One significant area of concern raised by my constituents and British Columbians from across the province is our food supply. There is a strong desire that we double down on the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that British Columbians have access to...
Time to make a green recovery a priority!
Over the past two weeks my B.C. Green Caucus colleague Sonia Furstenau and I have been asking the government questions about their $1.5 billion COVID-19 economic recovery plans. We asked about support for the tourism and hospitality sector, funding for youth employment programs, supporting B.C. based manufacturing by strengthening local supply...
When will the Government restore the scheduled carbon tax increase?
Today I asked the Minister of Environment when the provincial government will restore the scheduled carbon tax increase. A few months ago this government delayed, indefinitely, the next scheduled carbon tax increase. In the current economic context, this may be seen as a tough question, but it is now more than ever...
Addressing the strata insurance crisis in British Columbia
Over the past year there has been a growing crisis in skyrocketing insurance premiums for stratas. This has created a desperate situation for the more than 1.5 million British Columbians (30%) living in a strata building. People are fearful that the security of their homes is threatened and many are concerned if they...
Budget Estimates 2020: Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources
The BC Green Caucus was up in Budget Estimates with Hon. Bruce Ralston (Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources) this week. My colleague Sonia Furstenau and I asked Minister Ralston questions in a number of areas including BC Hydro, Site C, mining and LNG. The transcript below begins with Sonia's final question to Minister Ralston about...
Budget Estimates 2020: Tourism, Arts and Culture
In this session of budget estimates I continue my work from earlier in the week to draw attention to the ongoing struggles of the tourism industry. In Question Period (Monday), I asked Minister Lisa Beare about her plans for supporting tourism operators over the next 18-24 months. In my Statement (Wednesday), I highlighted how as an MLA I lean on...
Budget Estimates 2020: Social Development and Poverty Reduction
I appreciate the brief opportunity to honour the powerful work of community advocates I have met with several times by asking Hon. Shane Simpson (Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction) in Budget Estimates about potential accessibility and inclusion legislation. It's my preference to be discussing the actual legislation this Spring,...
Investigation into racism in B.C.’s health care system launched
Indigenous, Black and other people of colour in British Columbia and Canada face systemic racism everyday. Following calls to address the deeply entrenched problem in policing, the provincial government recently established a committee to oversee the reform of the Police Act. A couple of weeks ago Hon. Adrian Dix announced that allegations of...
Budget Estimates 2020: Transportation and Infrastructure
Transportation related issues continue to be very challenging in Saanich North and the Islands and across British Columbia. Over the past couple of weeks opposition critics have been questioning Minister Claire Travena in budget estimates. Transportation and Infrastructure is a big portfolio including ferries, transit, roads and highways. The...
Participation in the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act
I am honoured to be named to the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act. Our society is grappling with deeply entrenched systemic racism throughout our institutions. The critical work of this committee has been needed for a long time. I'm thankful that the terms of reference of the committee extends beyond just the Police Act and provides...
How will government build resiliency in local supply chains?
Today in Question Period I asked the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness if her ministry is developing a concrete proposal for how stimulus spending can enact this recommendation to use CleanBC as an economic driver in recovery that can also help us build greater resilience in local supply...
Hospitality industry an important part of my journey
The training and experience I gained from working for a decade in the hospitality industry is an important part of my journey in community service. Today I acknowledged those years and raised my hands to the people who helped shape those experiences for me. In addition, in this time when the tourism and hospitality...
Will government provide supply side supports and measures for BC’s tourism sector?
Today I asked the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture if the provincial government has a strategic, sector specific plan to support BC's tourism sector. Tourism operators across the province have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and a large increase in local tourism will not make up lost revenue....
Column: BC Green Caucus Advocates for Rebuilding With Cleaner, Green Economy
After nearly four-months away the British Columbia Legislative Assembly will finally resume. MLA’s will sit for eight weeks through July and August.British Columbia has been widely recognized for our collective handling of the pandemic. Our public health professionals, civil service and politicians have all been focussed on addressing the...
BC Green Caucus commentary on economic recovery
In this post I am republishing a commentary originally published on the brand new BC Green Caucus website. Going forward you will be able to find all the legislative work of the BC Green Caucus, including videos of our work in Question Period and on Bills to media releases, statements and commentaries.In the future, commentaries such as the one...
Financial accountability in long-term care sector
Today I asked the Minister of Health why privately operated care homes are not obliged to make their audited financial statements available to the public, and when British Columbians can expect the government to implement a more transparent system. [Transcript] ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR FOR-PROFIT LONG-TERM CARE...
NIPD 2020: It’s a long journey ahead
My name is SȾHENEP (Adam Olsen). I am the son of Carl & Sylvia Olsen and the grandson of Ernie & Laura Olsen and Don & Phyllis Snobelen. I am W̱SÁNEĆ, from the WJOȽEȽP village. Growing up on Tsartlip, an Indian reserve, dealing with systemic racism is just part of life. Addressing the impacts of colonialism in British Columbia has...
PODCAST: In conversation with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang – Author & Futurist
Listen on your podcast player of choice here. Watch the video here. This week my colleague Sonia Furstenau and I connected with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang to discuss his research on the four-day workweek. I am republishing the Facebook Live conversation on YouTube and on The Public Circle Podcast. So much of our lives have been re-designed in the past...
PODCAST: Isobel Mackenzie – B.C. Seniors Advocate
In this episode of The Public Circle Podcast (the first in several months) I’m republishing a virtual town hall I hosted on Monday June 15, 2020 with Isobel Mackenzie, the B.C. Seniors Advocate. In February 2020 the Office of the Seniors Advocate published a report titled A Billion Reasons to Care. It is the first detailed review of British...
4-day Workweek: Live discussion with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
When I asked in this blog post what you thought about the potential of a four-day workweek you responded with great interest. I received a lot of positive feedback. There were many questions as well. Business owners and workers alike wanted to know how it would impact them. As we address the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we...