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Fall session wrap-up
I love the work in the legislature, but, I am excited for the close of the fall session. It has been a long haul and it will be good to reflect on the things we have done well, and what we can do better. This applies to both the legislative work and community advocacy. We have settled in well but it is important for critical analysis. There is a...
VIDEO – GISS students address decorum in Question Period
On October 25, 2017 students from the Gulf Islands Secondary School visited the legislature. They each wrote me letters with extensive feedback on their experience in Question Period. In my last statement of the Fall session, I read a sampling of their responses into the record. [Transcript] A few weeks back I...
BC Liberals vote against moving ride-hailing forward
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS For immediate release November 28, 2017 BC Liberals vote against moving ride-hailing forward VICTORIA, B.C. - The B.C. Liberal caucus today voted against moving ride-hailing forward in British Columbia. Last week, B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver announced that he had reached an agreement with the B.C. NDP to move the...
VIDEO: Question to Minister Mungall about Site C (again)
The BC NDP Cabinet will be making a decision on Site C before the end of 2017. There are so many reasons for the government to cancel the project. Over the past few weeks the BC Green Caucus has highlighted many of the reasons in Question Period. Today, I asked Hon. Michelle Mungall (Minister of Energy, Mines and...
Column: Innovation and the Emerging Economy
Our world is rapidly changing. We are rethinking everything, from how resources are extracted and refined to how they are sold and purchased. As a result, where we live, move, work and play is in transition. As we move forward we will either protect the status quo or embrace the opportunity of this emerging reality. The health and well-being of...
We banned big money!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-nZQJMeLDk[/embedyt] Yes, we followed through! We banned big money! In September 2016, the BC Greens banned big money (corporate and union) donations from our parties revenue. We showed leadership and that we can be successful in politics with just the support of people. In May 2017, three Greens were...
VIDEO: Question to Minister Mungall about Site C
Question to Hon. Michelle Mungall about Site C Site C is a major source of contention in British Columbia. Muskrat Falls in Newfoundland & Labrador is an example of government throwing good money after bad and resulting the cost overruns and the doubling of electricity rates to ratepayers. Adam Olsen asks Energy,...
November 2017 – E-Newsletter
Check out the November 2017 email newsletter. [pdf-embedder url="http://adamolsen.bcgreencaucus.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/11/Adam-Olsen-Community-Newsletter-November-20171.pdf" title="Adam Olsen - Community Newsletter - November 20171"]
BC Greens propose amendment to Party financing bill
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS For immediate release November 21, 2017 B.C. Greens introduce amendment to make campaign finance more fair for small parties VICTORIA, B.C. - The B.C. Greens introduced an amendment today to make the Elections Amendment Act, 2017 more equitable for small parties. The amendment would bring the threshold to receive campaign...
Government introduces amendments to Party financing bill
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS For immediate release November 20, 2017 B.C. Greens work with government to increase transparency, reduce influence of big money in new campaign finance legislation VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, and Adam Olsen, Party spokesperson for campaign finance, welcomed the introduction of a number of...
Celebrating Raffi
My mom and Tex got us four tickets to Raffi's show at the Royal Theatre. I was excited, I'm a beluga grad so Raffi's voice and guitar is the soundtrack of my childhood. "The more we get together, the happier we'll be..." He opened with his familiar collaborative message. "The more we get together, together, the more we get together, the...
Youth listening lab
I remember fondly my time at Stelly's Secondary. So I was full of pride when I introduced a group of Stingers in the legislature last month. The school, the teachers and administration played a critical role in a difficult part of my youth. I gave every reason to simply throw me out, but they never did. Youth participation in governance...
VIDEO – Question to Premier Horgan regarding British Columbia’s energy policy
I rose in question period to press Premier John Horgan on the whether his government was going to follow the BC Liberal approach to energy policy or embrace a 21st century energy policy? [Transcript] This week in the House, British Columbia's energy policy has been canvassed in great detail. In doing so, we've spoken...
VIDEO: Statement on Embracing the 21st century economy in Saanich North and the Islands
I rose in the House to offer a two minute statement about my amazing constituency, Saanich North and the Islands. We have a massive opportunity in our riding to embrace the 21st century economy and I look forward to working with our business community! [Transcript]Saanich North and the Islands is home to amazing...
VIDEO: Response to Bill 15 (Local Elections Financing Amendment Act, 2017)
I rose to speak at second reading to Bill 15 (Local Elections Campaign Financing Amendment Act, 2017). Local government officials have been calling for the changes in this Bill for a long time and I am happy to support them! [Transcript]Thank you. Wow. That never gets old.I come to this House from local government. I...
AG’s grizzly report demonstrates need to encourage resilient ecosystems
On October 24, 2017 the Auditor General of British Columbia released a report about the impacts of human development on grizzly bears under the guidance of the Ministries of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and Environment. Unsurprisingly, it detailed a patchwork of programs and promises that are poorly executed,...
VIDEO: Question to Minister Mungall regarding the Oil and Gas Commission
In question period I asked Hon. Michelle Mungall, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, about the Oil and Gas Commission and dozens of unregulated, unapproved dams for use in fracking operations in Northern British Columbia. [Transcript]A. Olsen: There is an inherent conflict when a regulatory agency...
VIDEO: Response to Bill 16 (Tenancy Statutes Amendment Act, 2017)
Recognizing the dramatic housing affordability crisis and a lack of stability for renters in the current marketplace, this Bill provides renters more security. It is important that we strike a fine balance between landlord and renter rights to ensure renters are protected and landlords are encouraged to keep their...
Column – A government working together
During a series of town hall meetings hosted on Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne and Pender Islands and in Sidney, I answered many questions about the political events of this past summer and the Confidence and Supply Agreement that I signed with the provincial government. For the first time in decades we have a minority government in B.C. It has been...
First Constituency Dialogue session on Housing
I and my constituency team in Saanich North and the Islands are committed to increasing participation in our government and so we have created an outreach program called The Public Circle within the Constituency Office. The program will include various types of public engagement and consultation tools from open dialogue sessions to topic focussed...
B.C. Green caucus welcomes government’s move to ban big money from municipal elections
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS For immediate release October 30, 2017 B.C. Green caucus welcomes government’s move to ban big money from municipal elections VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, and Adam Olsen, party spokesperson for campaign finance reform and for municipal affairs, welcomed the government’s move to extend campaign...
VIDEO: Statement on Peninsula Streams and Ecosystem Protection
Adam Olsen's statement highlighting the incredible work of the Peninsula Streams Society and habitat restoration. Human activity is heavily impacting ecosystems and the work of stream keeping organizations across British Columbia is successfully reversing the negative impacts. [Transcript]Saanich North and the Islands...
Adam Olsen introduces first reading of the First Nations Heritage and Conservation Act 2017
Adam Olsen introduces his first private members bill called the First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act 2017. This bill is a first step towards recognizing that Indigenous burial sites and sacred heritage sites should have the same respect and protection as non-Indigenous sites. [Transcript]I move that...
Adam Olsen introduces bill to protect Indigenous sacred sites and heritage objects
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS For immediate release October 26, 2017 Adam Olsen introduces bill to protect Indigenous sacred sites and heritage objects VICTORIA, B.C. - Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, today introduced the First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act. Earlier...
VIDEO: Response to Bill 6 (Electoral Reform Referendum 2018 Act)
Adam Olsen's response Bill 6. This legislation provides the ability for the British Columbia government to hold a referendum to ask citizens if they would like to reform our electoral system to get rid of first-past-the-post and adopt a proportional representation. [Transcript]I am very pleased to be able to speak in...
Adam Olsen responds to Auditor General’s report on grizzly bear management
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS For immediate release October 23, 2017 Adam Olsen responds to Auditor General’s report on grizzly bear management, calls for moratorium by bringing hunting tags to zero VICTORIA, B.C. - Adam Olsen, the B.C. Green caucus spokesperson for Forestry, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO), responded to the Auditor General’s...