In February 2021, I published a blog post celebrating the British Columbia coastline. It was a response to former Premier John Horgan’s editorial proclaiming that a “made-in-BC shipbuilding strategy” was on its way. There was nobody in a better position to make it happen. I wrote, “if this is the plan, let me know how I can help.” Four years...
I’ve sat on a lot of committees in my time as an MLA, including police act reform, freedom of information and privacy act reviews, and several hiring committees. Last summer, I participated in an all-party committee to look at how private members (all MLAs except cabinet ministers) could introduce, debate, and vote on bills or motions. Currently,...
Last Fall, while we were debating changes to the North Island-Coast Development Trust Initiative Act I asked why the Minister ignored requests from the Island Coastal Economic Trust to remove gendered language in their law? Hon. Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs and Innovation stated it was an...
Two weeks ago the BC NDP quietly launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the Land Act. While I have been publicly critical of the way Minister Nathan Cullen introduced the initiative, I am deeply disappointed by the response of the BC United who decided to re-embrace their former approach that is eerily reminiscent of their...
Reflecting on the past six years as MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, I am proud of the advocacy work of our Community Office. From day one, we created a community-centred approach advocating for constituents who contact us while proactively working to bring people together on important issues to coordinate response and build local...
As I look back at another year in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, I raise my hands in gratitude to Saanich North and the Islands who have given me the honour of representing our beautiful communities since 2017. We just celebrated my son Silas’ 16th birthday, which means it has been 15 years since I was first elected as a Central...
The Southern Gulf Islands are an ecological jewel in the heart of the Salish Sea. Unfortunately, on a few of the islands invasive fallow deer are having a devastating impact on the natural ecosystems. In the first few years of the 20th century the local hunting club introduced European fallow deer to James Island. The deer were successfully...
As I look ahead to the next legislative session, the political landscape has changed with the emergence of the BC Conservatives as an official party in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly. However, many of the issues remain, and are lacking substantive solutions. This summer has been another season of extremes in British Columbia exposing...
Every two election cycles a commission is created to review electoral areas. The latest commission finished its review, and the legislature passed a law that created six new seats. Now we are spending $300,000 to add six new desks in the main chamber to accommodate them. I am a member of the legislative management committee that is shoehorning...
I am deeply concerned about the health and well-being of the Salish Sea. The Government of Canada has proven to be incapable of managing our marine environment. It’s unlikely their intention, but together Environment Canada, Transport Canada, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans are successfully overseeing the demise of the WSANEC territory....
I am disappointed by Minister George Heyman’s (Environment and Climate Change Strategy) decision to decline an environmental assessment for the expansion of the Bamberton Projects quarry in the Saanich Inlet. Minister Heyman failed the environment by not following the precautionary principle as was advised in an exhaustive study of the Saanich...
The exchange with Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang is mind-boggling. She had no good answer to how Premier David Eby's housing plans were going to impact communities and no idea if the Islands Trust was included or impacted in any way. Minister Kang encouraged me to go and talk to the Housing Minister. Why then do...
Since my election six years ago I have learned that transportation and infrastructure throughout the riding, but especially on the Southern Gulf Islands, is a perpetual concern. As I noted in Budget Estimates to Hon. Rob Fleming (Transportation & Infrastructure), his local team in the South Island continues to be both responsive and...
Transportation and infrastructure throughout Saanich North and the Islands continues to be a priority for local residents. As we see investments in the BC Ferries to address the significant issues the corporation has faced in recent years, the development of the RapidBus network to the Saanich Peninsula, the much...
In April the federal government granted conditional approval of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 port expansion. In order to proceed, the controversial proposal must be approved by the British Columbia provincial government. The provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) is accepting public comments until June 8, 2023. Despite potentially...
I am excited to host Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, this Friday at ASK Salt Spring to discuss transportation issues on Salt Spring Island. I invited Minister Fleming following a visit from Minister Mike Farnworth earlier this Spring where we discussed public safety on Salt Spring. Transportation was repeatedly...
For months, my colleagues in the BC Green Caucus and I have been discussing artificial intelligence (AI). The AI industry has the power to impact personal privacy and fundamentally change our society and economy. How? That's a problem. We currently have no idea of the extent of the impact. Also, consider that the threats and opportunities today...
British Columbians would be shocked to learn that the BC Conservation Service (BCCOS), a small, heavily armed service with no independent oversight, can be directly controlled by the BC NDP government through the minister of the environment. The Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act report submitted to the legislature last year...
In December 2018, I started blogging daily. You can find all those posts are in the archives here. One post everyday. Some were long and involved, others short and snappy. Little life observations. As I got to the end of 2019 I had accumulated 365 posts and when I finally achieved my initial goal of posting every day for a year, I abruptly took a...
In April, I responded to the Electoral Districts Act which added six new ridings to the province and changed the boundaries of dozens more. While my riding, Saanich North & the Islands, remains largely unchanged, we will be losing the Keating neighbourhood to South Saanich. I've represented this community in one...
When he was sworn in as premier, David Eby was right to say, “We cannot continue to expand fossil fuel infrastructure and hit our climate goals.” So why did his government approve Cedar LNG a few months later? As a politician, I know governments like short-term wins because they’re looking for political points. But we need the BC NDP to stop...
The housing crisis has been growing since before the 2017 election. In 2018 and 2019, as part of their 30-point plan, the BC NDP tightened rules on reno/demo-victions, capped rent increases, introduced the speculation and vacancy tax, and the multi-billion dollar Housing Hub. Following that the BC NDP required local governments to keep an updated...
Public schools in B.C. have been chronically underfunded for years. Now, multi-million budget shortfalls are forcing school boards to choose between combining classes, cutting programs, or relocating students. The BC NDP must put the needs of students first. Vancouver School Board is facing a $5.9 million deficit this...
Last Thursday, I rose in the House to address the lack of funding for Indigenous communities participating in government consultations. For the last several years, a steadily increasing number of referrals have fallen on the desks of First Nations, creating an overwhelming, psychologically intense workload. Meaningful...
ÍY SȻÁĆEL (Good Day), Welcome to my update for week nine of the 2023 Spring legislative sitting between April 24 - April 27th. There are just two weeks to go until the 2023 Spring legislative session is adjourned for the summer and MLAs primary focus returns to our constituency work. Premier David Eby’s first session in the big office has been an...
In the WSANEC 13-moon calendar, mid-February to mid-March is the WEXES (frog) moon. It is a time of sacredness and purification, and the time to gather food and medicine. The days grow longer, and the sunshine begins to warm the earth. The frog, as witness and messenger, awakens from hibernation and announces the coming spring, the sacred season...