The delete button is getting a good work out this morning. It is so difficult to wind my way through the complex web of misdirection, miscalculation and misinformation about LNG in British Columbia. At a time when children — 8 and 9 year olds — are gathering in front of buildings like the ones where I work and asking people like me to make better...
There are massive gaps in the Heritage Conservation Act in British Columbia. These gaps were exposed in 2014 on Grace Islet near Salt Spring Island. The land owner proposed to build a family vacation home on top of known archeological and grave sites. Despite the disapproval of Tsartlip First Nation, the former BC...
I'm a passionate advocate for protecting agricultural land. And I'm pleased to be able to work with Minister Lana Popham to strengthen the Agricultural Land Commission Act. But, within the ALC Act is a critical gap with respect to wetlands, water quality (and volume) and protecting our watersheds. Currently the ALC...
Are you familiar with forest therapy? Or, maybe you know it as forest bathing? Perhaps as Shinrin-Yoku?Last week was a mixed-bag when it came to forests and big old trees. On one hand, another ancient forest was shaved off the hillside on Saturna Island. And on the other hand, rather coincidentally, my constituency office team was scheduled to...
In a post a few weeks ago, I began to tackle a big, messy issue. A legacy issue from my time at the Central Saanich Council table - watersheds, drainage ditches, agriculture and fish. This post is about another one of those big, messy issues. Local governance and transportation in the Capital Region - traffic, congestion, bike lanes, and transit....
Property owners have the right to log their property. They have the right to raze entire ecosystems. In spite of decades of evidence showing the devastating effects of clear cut logging, unfortunately it's still legal for people to strip their property to the skin. Most of the Saanich Peninsula is already bare. But, there are still some beautiful...
On Feb. 26, I and my BC Green Caucus colleagues, called for a full independent public inquiry into money-laundering in British Columbia.The call came after two weeks of questions in Question Period on the deeply troubling connections in our casinos, real estate market, luxury cars, horse racing, drug cartels and opioid crisis.Our Attorney...
The National Energy Board (NEB) just wrapped up the reconsideration hearing on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project. Frankly, the latest hearing is just as bad as the first one, and with the same result. They recommend that the federal government approve the project. The reconsideration was necessary after a...
I was elected to represent Saanich North and the Islands in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly in large part because people in my riding lost confidence in government. On each and every doorstep, I promised them that I would be passionate, bold and courageous in my work to rebuild their trust. Budget 2019 is not a perfect budget. It’s not...
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf9BZOZuoLI[/embedyt] There is a growing sadness on the South Coast, and across British Columbia.It has to do with our forests, habitat and the health of our natural ecosystems. People look out at their backyards with a sense of despair.They watch the alarming liquidation of the special places they visit...
Over the past few weeks the BC Green Caucus has been asking the Attorney General about money-laundering. There are substantial allegations of corruption that need investigating. Indeed, the Attorney General is going good work on this issue and gone way further than the previous government. But, it is time to take this...
Over the past week the BC Green Caucus has been raising substantial concerns about money-laundering. There is a crisis in our government institution and as an MLA we have a responsibility to address it head-on. [Transcript] There's a crisis of confidence in this institution. Thinking back to the thousands of stories I...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
Here are some brief thoughts about the Nanaimo by-election. But first, a little background.During general elections political parties develop campaign platforms and a “ballot box question.”They then design their election campaign to elevate the party’s platform, and to get voters to answer their ballot box question. In essence, the ballot box...
There is a rising sentiment against the United Nations (UN).The response to my last post about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was immediate. Comments were left directly on my blog and on my Facebook feed as well.Other than their work on climate change and Indigenous relations, I've never had strong...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Federal Liberal government claim that “no relationship is more important to our government and to Canada than the one with Indigenous peoples.” But, they are failing to deliver on their rhetoric.British Columbia does not have to follow. We must show leadership and introduce legislation on the United Nations...