I am thankful for this opportunity to capture and blog a few thoughts everyday. And, I am thankful for the people who read it, share it, and offer their feedback.Thankfulness is popping up quite a bit recently.During my journey practicing mindfulness with Sam Harris’ Waking Up meditation course, I chose a three minute extra-curricular lesson on...
A growing chorus of British Columbians have been calling on the BC NDP government to establish an independent public inquiry into money-laundering.The consistent flow of media reports over the past year, is drawing attention to the shocking state of affairs in our province. There is immense pressure on me, and my BC Green Caucus colleagues, to...
Since the beginning of the Spring 2019 session, the BC Green Caucus, has been asking government about money laundering in British Columbia.The focus has been largely on the bags of cash dragged into the casinos to be laundered by so-called "whale" gamblers.But, as we found out with Peter German's...
Humaira Ahmed is the CEO and founder of Locelle. She has a background in software engineering and communications and had the idea to build a mobile application to foster connections between women. Humaira is tackling the growing issue of social isolation directly. She talks about the numerous points in her life that she has felt isolated. As an...
The recommendations of the National Energy Board (NEB) reconsideration hearing on the Trans Mountain Pipeline is profoundly disappointing, but not surprising.As an intervenor in both the Hearings on the pipeline, the outcome was politically motivated and designed to "get to yes" from the start.In this report, the NEB adds 16 new non-binding...
Response to Budget 2019 I was elected to represent Saanich North and the Islands in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly because people in my riding lost confidence in government. I promised them that I would be passionate, bold and courageous in my work to rebuild that trust. Budget 2019 is not a perfect budget....
Last fall we began to tour the incredible businesses on the Saanich Peninsula. The tour continued at Viking Air Limited. Viking is an exciting company that continues to grow at the Victoria International Airport. After a walk through of their production facility and an overview of the operations with Dominique Spragg, VP of Strategic Planning and...
Money-laundering issues continue to grow. Over the past twenty years only 50 cases were heard and only 10 convictions. It is embarrassing and ridiculous. What is disturbing is that the Attorney General now alleges criminal organizations moved to Vancouver from the United States and received tax credits from Advantage...
Steelhead LNG always tried to talk a big game.Their big splashy announcements when they signed partnerships, attempted to build the perception they were a viable player in the oil and gas business.This weekend they hit the pause button on their massive gas liquefaction plant at Sarita Bay (Kwispaa LNG) on the west coast of Vancouver Island. If...
Listen on Anchor | Visit The Public Circle Podcast page. It is an incredible honour to represent Saanich North and the Islands in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly. The job is complex and it has many layers. To do it well, a person has to be comfortable speaking in public, analyzing difficult legal documents, digging through bureaucratic...
A recent addition to my podcast library is "Finding Mastery with Michael Gervais." Gervais is a high performance psychologist. His list of clients is impressive, and it includes Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll. Steve Kerr, Head Coach of the NBA's Golden State Warriors and former player for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls, was...
Guest blog by Dr. Sylvia OlsenI work with a group of dedicated First Nations housing professionals developing a BC First Nations Housing and Infrastructure Authority. The goal of the Housing & Infrastructure Council (HIC) is to create a First Nation's led institution that will take over care and control of housing and infrastructure from the...
We finally get to debate anti-SLAPP legislation in British Columbia. Many constituents of Saanich North and the Islands have written my office encouraging us to bring this legislation in to force and I am happy it is now in front of us. While we need to balance the rights of all sides of the public discourse, it...
Yesterday in Question Period the B.C. Liberals went after ride-hailing. Two things here. Their attempt to own this issue while spending the better part of five years ignoring it, is a perfect illustration of politicians serving their own interests, not the public interest. More on that in a minute. The narrative built to a crescendo of questions...
Evan Almighty, was my kids movie choice last night. Perfect, in so many ways.It's the modern interpretation of Noah, the ark, floods and humans behaving very badly.The story of the great flood is a familiar one. It is a Sunday School staple. But, the Christian version is just one of many story narratives of the flood.The W̱SÁNEĆ also have a flood...
For most of Canada snow is a common winter occurrence. But, for the south coast of British Columbia snow causes paralysis. So, when the Sunday afternoon snowfall blanketed my backyard, there were mixed emotions in the Olsen household. The kids spent the entire afternoon and late into the evening engaging in a massive snowball fight. I, on the...
Housing is always a hot topic in the Olsen family. My mom is Dr. Sylvia Olsen. She is a historian and her studies focus on the provision of housing on Indian Reserves in Canada since the early 20th century. In addition, she works in First Nations communities across the country. It was a brisk mid-November Saturday morning in 2011. We had just...
(Check out the must watch video below...)The stage is set for the 4th Session of the 41st Parliament. It starts on Tuesday.The 41st Parliament is not like any other in the history of British Columbia.Our minority government and independent Speaker have opened doors that have been locked shut for decades. British Columbians are getting a look at...
We have a Christmas tree.The Olsen family had our first Christmas tree when I was in my late-teens (long story for another post one day). Our little family has had one since the beginning.Our decorations have not changed much. But, there is one exception, each year we add a Dr. Seuss ornament. Other than one singing Cindy-Lou Who, they are mostly...
There are volumes of people and groups, that come in to my office to meet.A constant flow of information, creates many reference points.Connect each point of the narrative, and weave them into a story.This is a way to share the story with you. After all, it's our story.Although each point may seem disparate and disconnected.They are...
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS For immediate release February 8th, 2019 Adam Olsen responds to government announcement of new reconciliation process with the Office of the Wet'suwet'en VICTORIA, B.C. – Adam Olsen, B.C. Green spokesperson for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, responded to the statement on the reconciliation process with the Office of...
On January 17, 2019 I took part in a meeting between Salt Spring Island residents and representatives of Penelakut Tribe to discuss the proposed Tenure application for a portion of Booth Bay.My office has received a volume of correspondence on this issue. I have heard the concerns of Salt Spring residents about aquaculture and access to the...
Not all agricultural land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is created equally.This statement is often used in an attempt to create an argument to free up the "unequal" land for development. That is not the case here. In fact, it's very much the opposite.Back in 2009, the District of Central Saanich was tussling with how to implement our...
You are at the centre of the universe! Look after it and make sure it does not fall apart, or everything else falls apart around it. This is an ancient notion. I had a rough time through my twenties and a conversation with my late-Grandma Laura Olsen changed my life. She gave me a new sense of purpose. Purpose rooted in place. W̱SÁNEĆ is a sacred...
A few of my posts recently explore the return of analog in a world of digital design.Indeed, everything old is new again. This weekend Silas was introduced to a pinball machine. Perhaps it wasn’t his first introduction, but it was the first time he had a cup full of tokens and time to play.It was loud! The snap, whir, thud, clank, ding, Ding,...
Today is the SuperBowl. I am a sports fan. I watch football and the NFL while folding my families laundry. It's my Sunday ritual and it's why it takes me all day to fold my families laundry. At the beginning of every football season I draft a fantasy football team. By week three or four, the weakness in my drafting strategy is exposed, and my...