British Columbia

Ministerial Statement: Responding to the tabling of reforms to the child welfare system

Child welfare in British Columbia has long been a shameful part of our provincial history. As the Ministry of Children and Family Development Fact Sheet noted despite the reality that Indigenous people are less than 10% of the population, Indigenous children represent 68% of the children in care. The provincial child...

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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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Addressing Crises in B.C. requires humanizing and collaboration

Addressing Crises in B.C. requires humanizing and collaboration

Earlier this month, my colleague Sonia Furstenau delivered her first in-person speech to local government elected and administrative officials who were gathered for the Union of BC Municipalities convention (UBCM). Sonia and I were both previously elected to local government and have many friends in office in communities across the province. It...

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Why is the BC NDP allowing Coastal GasLink to drill under Wedzin Kwa while salmon are spawning?

The Coastal GasLink pipeline controversy continues as the BC NDP allow the company to drill and blast under the Wedzin Kwa (also known as the Morice River) while it is full of spawning salmon. The company faces a host of compliance issues with environmental regulations, meanwhile the Minister of Environment and...

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Ministerial Statement: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Day of Action

On behalf of the B.C. Green Caucus, I responded to the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Hon. Murray Rankin's Ministerial Statement on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Day of Action. [Transcript] Mr. Speaker, first I would just like to acknowledge both of the...

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More Support, Not More Punishment Is Needed To Address Increased Crime

More Support, Not More Punishment Is Needed To Address Increased Crime

Joint commentary: BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley and Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands Last week, the provincial government released a report on “prolific offenders” – a small group of people who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of neighbourhood crime. The increase in prolific offenses speaks...

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Addressing Crises in B.C. requires humanizing and collaboration

Opinion – The Pope can do more: Release records, return artifacts, remain accountable

Adam Olsen is the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and a member of Tsartlip First Nation. I watched Pope Francis’ “penitential pilgrimage” closely. It was an emotional week for so many Indigenous people who suffered at the hands of the Catholic Church – for residential and day school survivors, and those impacted by intergenerational trauma...

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Update: July 2022 Saanich North and the Islands Newsletter

Update: July 2022 Saanich North and the Islands Newsletter

ÍY SȻÁĆEL (Good Day), Welcome to my update for July 2022! With the Spring session now adjourned my focus returns to the constituency. It’s not that the community work stops while I am in a legislative session but my attention is certainly divided. While I am in session I rely heavily on my incredible team of constituent advocates in my community...

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Why is BC NDP government limiting the Gwa’sala-‘nakwaxda’xw historical information on child welfare?

The Gwa’sala-‘nakwaxda’xw Nation are in the process of taking back jurisdiction of child welfare as per federal legislation. They have been attempting to get access to historical information from the provincial Crown governments Ministry of Children and Family Development but have been consistently blocked by the BC...

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