Gary Coons appreciation day at the British Columbia Legislature

"A blast from the past" is how Jinny Sims described the visit of Gary Coons
to the Legislature, Mr. Coons was in attendance in the Legislature
during the Thursday session 
(photo from BC Leg Video service)

Former North Coast MLA Garry Coons stopped into the British Columbia Legislature this week, revisiting the old haunt that he called home on behalf of constituents for a number of years.

And while it wasn't advertised in the daily agenda as a testimonial roast, some of the barbs and comments would be worthy of the old Dean Martin Roasts of days gone by.

The attendance of Mr. Coon's brought forward a flow of tributes from a number of Cabinet Ministers, with Nicholas Simons, making note of Mr. Coon's advocacy for ferry fairness on the coast and the leader in penalty minutes in the Ontario University Hockey League (something you can review here).

Minister of Citizens' Services Jinny Sims recounted their times together as Teacher's union representatives and the battles over education of the past.

Included among those paying tribute to Mr. Coons, was the current holder of the seat that once was represented by Mr. Coons.

Jennifer Rice joined in on the theme of highlighting the work of Mr. Coons in the past and in welcoming him back to the Legislature for the day, making note that not only was Mr. Coon's her mentor and predecessor in the Legislature but her landlord back in the days when she first moved to Prince Rupert eighteen years ago.

Mr. Coons represented the North Coast from 2005 to 2013, and from the opposition benches raised a range of issues, with a strong interest in issues related to ferry transportation marking much of his time during those eight years.

You can review some of his work in Victoria through the Legislature archives

The transcript of the tributes to Mr. Coons can be found from the Hansard archive starting at 10:10

The Video from the legislature is available below:



More items of interest related to the work of the North Coast MLA in the Legislature can be found here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.