I raised a Question of Privilege regarding the introduction of Bill 22 - Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2021 and the Special Committee to Review the same Act that was appointed last summer and that I am a member of. The summary of my argument is that the Special Committee's work is...
For the past two decades I have been fearful that my past struggles with substance use, abuse and addiction would come back to haunt me. As the numbers of British Columbians who have died to an illicit drug poisoning continues to climb, and the stigmatization of our friends and family members who struggle with...
This week the BC NDP government tabled controversial amendments of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. I have posted my comments at second reading debate (here) about the aspects of the amendment Act that I find most troubling. As a separate matter I am also a member of the Special Committee for...
On Monday the BC NDP government tabled highly controversial legislation to amend the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA). While their Members are standing and downplaying the impacts of the legislation on the access to information and government transparency and accountability. As we...
In the first six months of 2021 more than 1200 British Columbians have perished as a result of a highly toxic illicit drug supply. That is approximately 6 people per day. For months, I and my colleague Sonia Furstenau, have been encouraging the provincial government to provide a safe supply of illicit substances...
The red hot housing market is deeply concerning. The housing crisis is a global issue but as we develop measures to address the extreme inflation of housing prices in British Columbia it is important to understand the underlying philosophy that is informing the decisions of the provincial government. So I asked...
Today I asked Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Hon. Mike Farnworth, what specific actions he is taking to ensure that the civil liberties of British Columbians are protected at Fairy Creek. The Minister refused to answer because the matter is before the courts. The videos of the conduct of the RCMP at...
In the first session of the Fall 2021 sitting Premier John Horgan delivered a Ministerial Statement to commemorate the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. I was honoured to respond on behalf of the BC Green Caucus. It was important to recognize the history that has brought us to commemorating a new...
With my part of the 60 minutes that was available to the BC Green Caucus for Budget Estimates in Health, I had a limited opportunity to canvass important topics. In this session, I asked Minister Adrian Dix about the work being done to implement the recommendations of the In Plain Sight report on racism in the...
With my part of the 60 minutes that was available to the BC Green Caucus for Budget Estimates in Transportation and Infrastructure, I had a limited opportunity to canvass a couple of important topics. In this session, I asked Minister Rob Fleming about the dumping of scrubber wash water, grey and black water from...
Our budget estimates exchange with Minister Katrine Conroy was frustrating. Sonia Furstenau and I have been questioning Minister Conroy in Question Period for months now and attempted to use the time in estimates to dig into the issues a little deeper. Unfortunately, the pace was dreadfully slow. During our time we...
Housing prices are skyrocketing in British Columbia and across the country and it continues to be a challenging policy issue for all orders of government. In budget estimates for the Ministry of Finance I asked Hon. Selina Robinson about her approach to balancing the supply and demand policy measures that are needed...
I provided the BC Green Caucus response to the Ministerial Statement delivered by the Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Hon. Nathan Cullen, regarding the removal of the residential school at Lower Post in Kaska Dena territory. [Transcript] To my colleague from Richmond-Queensborough, HÍSW̱ḴE...
Premier John Horgan and Minister of Forests Katrine Conroy are on the record clearly stating their support for Aboriginal rights, title and sovereignty. When the protests heated up in the forests on Southern Vancouver Island they agreed to the demands of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht by deferring some...
There have been far too many stories of Indigenous youth who have died while under the guardianship of the provincial government. Last week, the Representative for Children and Youth released another report outlining how the system let down Skye. As has been the case for decades, our child welfare system repeatedly...
When it comes to reconciliation with Indigenous People in British Columbia the BC NDP say the right words. However, their actions fall well short of what is acceptable. This week, I have been pointing out how they continue to use Forest and Range Consultation and Revenue Sharing agreements and how those agreements are...
June is Pride Month. My two minute statement celebrates the powerful advocates who have fought to ensure that everyone can be unapologetically themselves. [Transcript] June is Pride Month. To celebrate, I want to start by looking back. The month of June was chosen to celebrate Pride in commemoration of the Stonewall...
Over the past few months tensions have been building in the forests on Southern Vancouver Island and across British Columbia. In responses in Question Period and media availabilities, Premier John Horgan has on more than one occasion asserted Indigenous sovereignty, rights and title. In the past, sovereignty, rights...
We have learned about a temporary reprieve with deferrals of old growth logging in Fairy Creek and the Central Walbran. This was achieved in the most difficult way possible: injunctions, protests and arrests. For months my colleague Sonia Furstenau and I have been raising these issues in Question Period and the BC NDP...
In Question Period on Monday May 31, 2021 Premier John Horgan said "we have an obligation to release resources where we can, to improve people's lives, and we're committed to doing that. I know that the member opposite will hold us accountable for that. I look forward to it." On Tuesday I pressed this issue further by...
Over the past couple of weeks I have asked the BC NDP government why they are not following their own policy on conservation and maps from experts highlighting the last remaining endangered forests that should be deferred as per the old growth review panel recommendations. The responses from the Minister of Forests...
Today I rose to response to the Ministerial Statement on the burial site of Indigenous children at Kamloops Residential School. [Transcript] I rise today to respond to this ministerial statement. Today my family and the entire B.C. Green caucus team stands with our relatives in the Interior. We wrap our arms around...
A new longhouse is currently under construction in Tsawout First Nation on the Saanich Peninsula. This is an important and exciting project that is well underway. Tsawout is currently fundraising to cover some of the remaining costs and they are inviting the public to make a contribution. You can learn more about the...
The BC NDP continue to talk and log. They make big promises to protect high productivity old growth forests with no follow through. The Minister of Forests is increasingly dismissive of our questions, but we will not stop asking. This week another embarrassing report was released from the three independent scientists...
With one hour available to the BC Green Caucus for Budget Estimates in Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation I had a limited opportunity to canvass a couple of important topics. In this session I asked Minister Bruce Ralston about cost estimates for Site C and the viability of LNG and LNG Canada. View the video. Starting at 4:21pm. (Access time...
With 30 minutes available to the BC Green Caucus for Budget Estimates in Citizens Services I had a limited opportunity to canvass a couple of important topics. In this session I asked Minister Lisa Beare about supporting Indigenous business owners ability to name their businesses using traditional names, genuine progress indicators, broadband...