Well-being

Join Minister Rob Fleming and MLA Adam Olsen at ASK Salt Spring to discuss transportation and infrastructure

Join Minister Rob Fleming and MLA Adam Olsen at ASK Salt Spring to discuss transportation and infrastructure

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...

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Will the BC NDP put an end to over two decades of underfunding in our public education system?

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...

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Will the BC NDP commit to a comprehensive review of BC’s outdated Mental Health Act?

The Mental Health Act has not been substantially updated since 1964. Our understanding of mental health and substance use disorders has changed since the last century. Our laws need to reflect that. I asked Premier David Eby if he'd commit to a full review. He refused to stand up and answer. Instead Minister Jennifer...

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7 years into the toxic drug crisis — will the NDP expand safe supply for every person who needs it?

Since the toxic drug crisis was declared in 2016, more than 11,000 British Columbians have died. It’s the leading cause of unnatural deaths. But these deaths are preventable. Less than 1% of people who use drugs in this province have access to safe supply. Hundreds of thousands of British Columbians use drugs —...

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Will the BC NDP provide dignified housing for every person displaced by today’s encampment removal?

Earlier this week, Premier David Eby stood in front of a million-dollar townhouse to announce his new affordability plan, "Homes for People". Today, he is scattering the homeless population in Vancouver's downtown eastside (DTES). This is not leadership — this is policing poverty. Today marks the 7th encampment...

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$20,000 per month for addictions treatment? The BC NDP need to regulate private treatment centres.

The addictions treatment system in this province is failing to meet the needs of British Columbians. A lack of public treatment beds has forced hundreds of desperate families to turn to costly, unregulated private facilities to try to help their loved ones. This is unacceptable. Private facilities are the wild west of...

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Our children need help — when will the BC NDP hire enough counsellors to meet the needs of students?

Since the pandemic, mental health referrals and hospitalizations for youth have hugely increased, yet the BC NDP only provide our schools with 1 counsellor for every 693 students. At a time when we need to invest in our children's mental health, we're letting them down. Today in Question Period, I asked when the...

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A step forward — legal penalties for non-consensual sharing of intimate images, videos & deepfakes

On Tuesday, I had the chance to speak to Bill 12, the Intimate Images Protection Act. This critical piece of legislation makes it unlawful to distribute, or threaten to distribute, intimate images without consent. The Bill includes provisions allowing survivors to seek monetary damages and have their images removed...

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Bill 13 does not go far enough in ensuring pay equity for women and other marginalized groups.

Last Tuesday, I spoke to Bill 13, the Pay Transparency Act. While this Bill makes moderate steps forward, pay transparency alone does little to change the discrimination women and other marginalized people face at work. What we need in BC is pay equity. The cost of not addressing pay inequity is borne by women. They...

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PODCAST: Jonathan Morris, CEO B.C. Chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association

PODCAST: Jonathan Morris, CEO B.C. Chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association

In this episode of The Public Circle Podcast, I connect with Jonathan Morris, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, B.C. Chapter. He has worked in the sector for the past two decades and we start our conversation discussing how he got started and what he and the CMHA is doing today. We cover a variety of relevant topics including, • The...

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Erosion of universal health concerning trend under BC NDP

Erosion of universal health concerning trend under BC NDP

I am concerned about the growing inequality in primary health care. In Saanich North and the Islands there is a doctor’s clinic that has a membership fee. This is a concerning situation and frankly I am surprised that this is happening under the BC NDP. In 2017, the provincial government began a reorganization of primary care services. The focus...

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Mental health services and supports

Mental health services and supports

Many people in our communities experience stress, anxiety, depression and isolation. The public health and safety response to COVID-19 has required us to maintain physical distancing measures that have dramatically increased instances of isolation.A commenter on my Facebook page asked me to share the domestic violence and mental health support...

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PODCAST: Week 7 with Nick Gilchrist

After a brief unintended hiatus from the podcast Adam Olsen and Nick Gilchrist resume their conversation about life in British Columbia politics. It has been a busy year and with the original week 7 episode languishing in the dustbin of unpublished podcasts, this second attempt will be much more successful - it will be published. Part of the...

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Patient-centred healthcare

As we head into the Fall, I’ve been hearing from constituents again about the healthcare challenges on the Saanich Peninsula. The challenges with the current system didn’t magically disappear over the summer and in fact there have been some tragic cases presented to me that are a result of the ongoing struggle people are having with primary care...

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