Videos
Estimates 2023: Water, Land & Resource Stewardship
For several years now the BC NDP government has been promising species-at-risk or biodiversity legislation but to date they have failed to deliver. Now with the new Water, Land, Resource Stewardship Ministry up and running I asked Minister Nathan Cullen when we can expect to see the provincial government finally act....
Estimates 2023: Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation
I cover a lot of ground in this hour long session in Budget Estimates with Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Hon. Murray Rankin. We highlight funding for Indigenous language recovery, the use of civil injunctions to protect industrial projects against Indigenous rights and title, the impact of...
Estimates 2023: Citizens’ Services
For the third year in a row, I have spent a considerable amount of my time with Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare discussing the slow pace of change of government adopting technology that can accommodate Indigenous families officially naming their children traditional names. Each year Minister Beare has assured...
Estimates 2023: Municipal Affairs
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...
Estimates 2023: Transportation & Infrastructure
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...
Estimates 2023: Public Safety & Solicitor General
I have been focusing in on public safety issues since I was included in the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act. For me it was a deep dive into the unknown. My exchange from Budget Estimates earlier this Spring with Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General, Hon. Mike Farnworth, is brisk. We have engaged...
Bill 23 helps us move towards less car-centric communities
In April, I responded to Bill 23 which creates minimum passing distances for cyclists, imposes speed limiters on heavy-duty vehicles to reduce collisions and greenhouse gas emissions, and expands the province's ability to permit technology like robot delivery services. Overall, this legislation marks important...
Imagining a future with Indigenous riding names & a farewell to the Keating Neighbourhood
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...
Recognizing the Haida Nation’s inherent right to self-governance & my dear friend, Gut Takin Jaad
In April, I had the pleasure of responding to Bill 18, the Haida Nation Recognition Act, and reading the words of my dear friend, Gut Takin Jaad, a Haida member, former legislative intern with the BC Green Caucus, and a current Constituency Assistant for MLA Sonia Furstenau. [Transcript] A. Olsen: I appreciate this...
Are unexplained wealth orders the right tool to combat money laundering?
In April, I responded to Bill 21, the Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act, which would permit unexplained wealth orders to combat money laundering. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has raised serious concerns about this legislation, suggesting it will violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Critical...
Bill 11 takes a misstep — British Columbians are represented by their local MLA, not party leaders
In April, I responded to Bill 11 and supported two amendments proposed by the Official Opposition which would've prevented party leaders from having more power in our elections. [Transcript] A. Olsen: Speaking to the amendment, I appreciate the member from the official opposition for raising it. It’s a concern that we...
Debating Pay Transparency vs. Pay Equity
In March, the House debated Bill 13, the Pay Transparency Act. While important, the legislation does not go far enough. What B.C. needs is pay equity. The following exchange took place during committee stage, where I introduced several amendments in an attempt to make this bill more meaningful and bring our province...
Celebrating the passing of the Haida Nation Recognition Act
Today, the Legislative Assembly passed Bill 18, the Haida Nation Recognition Act, marking a historic moment for our province and its journey towards reconciliation. We were honoured to be joined in the House today by several members of the Haida Nation, who have worked tremendously hard to see this day come. It was...
Will the BC NDP ensure its conservation service is accountable & subject to independent oversight?
BC's Conservation Service is a police service. They dress like police, drive similar cars, carry assault rifles & have police-like powers under the Police Act. But conservation officers have no independent oversight. This must change. The lack of oversight has created space for the abuse of power & toxicity...
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...
470 foster children go missing each month — are kids safe under the care of Premier Eby & the BC NDP?
A new report from BC's Representative for Children & Youth revealed that 470 children in foster care go missing each month. Today I asked Premier David Eby to explain if the kids under his care are safe. He could not be bothered to stand and answer. The BC NDP are failing to protect our most vulnerable children....
Indigenous communities must be properly resourced to participate in consultation processes
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...
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...
When will the BC NDP reform the Police Act & deliver better accountability for our communities?
Our policing services have grown increasingly authoritarian, militaristic & out of reach of oversight. The Vancouver Police Department Chief bragged about answering to nobody, saying “I don’t report to any politician. I don’t report to the City, the province, or the federal government." The VDP restricted media...
We must do better: Reflecting on the findings of the St. Augustine Residential School investigation
Yesterday, I stood and responded to the statement provided by the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation in acknowledgement of the pain and tribulations that are being felt from our relatives in Shíshálh, Chief Yalxwemult Lenora Joe, and the leadership in the community, acting on the information provided...
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 —...
Weekly Wrap-Up: Week 7 & 8 of the 4th Session (42nd Parliament)
ÍY SȻÁĆEL (Good Day), Welcome to my update for week seven and eight of the 2023 Spring legislative sitting between April 3 - April 6th and April 17th - April 20th. I have been busy this session. As you can see my involvement in the House has increased in question period, responses to bills, and budget estimates debates. Keeping the library...
Reflecting on COVID-19 & Labour Equity
When the COVID-19 pandemic began three years ago, it drew the inequalities of our world into the daylight. Disproportionately, it was racialized workers who became ill and died, because they were more likely to work in low-paid jobs deemed essential when everyone else was told to stay home. Gender inequalities in the...
Will the BC NDP step up & regulate ship breaking — one of the most hazardous industries in the world?
Baynes Sound produces half of all BC shellfish. It is an important site for the K’omoks First Nation and is federally designated as a Biologically & Ecologically Sensitive Area. Despite this, the province has allowed ship breaking - one of the most hazardous industries in the world - to occur on its shores. Ship...
Broken promises — when will the BC NDP suspend logging activity in Kwakiutl territory?
The BC NDP have repeatedly promised to protect old growth forests & meaningfully engage with First Nations. They promised a paradigm shift & a deferral on all at-risk old growth. Yet, old growth within this deferral area is actively being logged on Kwakiutl territory. These culturally significant &...
$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...