Saturday, April 6, 2019

MLA's Week: April 1-4, 2019

MLA's returned from the weekend to renew their work on the NDP governments legislation of Bill 10  with the bill returning for more discussion and eventual adoption by the Chamber.

And as they did, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice was somewhat conspicuous by her absence from the discussion,  considering how at one time her own riding and the Prince Rupert area was the most active locations when it came to LNG proposals.

From the period of introduction last week, to the Bills adoption in this one, Ms. Rice's only contribution to the process came at the end and her vote in favour of the NDP bill to deliver tax benefits for the LNG industry.

MLA Rice get shall pass so far in Bill 10 debate on LNG

The debate wrapped up with the Tax benefit plan gaining approval of both the Liberal and NDP MLA's on Thursday, with only the Green Party's three members voting against it and as it moved forward, so too did some news from the Northwest on some increased activity related to LNG in the region.

In Kitimat, Chevron/Woodside moved forward with some plans for the Kitimat LNG project. the second major development for the Kitimat/Haisla region, with the consotirum looking to double its output with the National Energy Board.

Second Kitimat area LNG project moves forward with NEB process

Over in the Nass Valley, the Nisga'a Lisims Government also was exploring LNG related issues

Nass Valley latest region to see stirrings for potential LNG development

For the North Coast and Northwest, a few notes related to Ferry travel also made some news out of Victoria this week.

With new amendments, BC government looks to 'enshrine public interest' in ferry service model

BC Ferries Commissioner seeks public input on proposed Ferry fare increases for 2020-2024

One final item out of the capital heralded some welcome news for the North Coast, with Prince Rupert's Nancy and Gunther Golinia to be honoured at the BC Community Achievement Awards for their work with wildlife in the region.

Prince Rupert's Nancy and Gunther Golinia to be honoured by Province in May event

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For the week just passed, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice had a fairly quiet time in the Chamber.

Our look at the work week that just concluded, can be found below:

On the week, Ms Rice was listed twice on the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from April1 to 4

For her only contribution to the debate of the week, found Ms. Rice taking to her duties as Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness to offer up a tutorial for the Legislature on the upcoming Tsunami Preparedness Week of April 8-14

Jennifer Rice speaks to Tsunami Preparedness at Wednesday session of Legislature

Ms. Rice also spoke of the benefits of partnerships between the province and the Central Coast, as she outlined some elements of Emergency Preparedness cooperation in the region (see Legislature minutes at 1020 AM)

The North Coast MLA is also a permanent member of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, serving as the convener of that forum.

Transcripts of the work of the committee are available on the Legislature page for the Committee.

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs


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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross had but one mention in the Legislative listings as part of this weeks session .

The Skeena MLA  who was fairly active last week on a range of issues, this week made note of a pair of visitors to the gallery; offering introductions of Kris Boland the project Manager of the Resource Benefits Alliance as well as Ron Poole, the CEO of the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine (see here)

Mr. Ross is also a permanent member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives.

Transcripts of the work of that committee are available on the Legislature website

The Skeena MLA is also a member of the Special Committee for Review of the Police complaint process, you can follow their work here.

There is more background on both the North Coast and Skeena MLA's available from our MLA's Week Archive, as well as our constituency archives below:

North Coast constituency

Skeena and Stikine Constituencies

The Legislature returns to its work on Monday, April 8th, 2019.

The full schedule for the Legislature for 2019 can be viewed here.

A larger overview of provincial issues can be found on our political portal D'Arcy McGee

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

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