MLA's Week: November 25--28, 2019

MLA's put the wrap in the Fall Session with a Thursday morning gathering in the Chamber, which shortened the usual Legislature work week by one session.

As the week and the Fall work came to an end it was notable for the successful passage of legislation to incorporate the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People into law.

With the UNDRIP work of Bill 41 working its way through Committee by Tuesday, with a final vote making for what was an unanimous vote in favour of adoption.

With British Columbia the first to adopt UNDRIP, a new approach towards Indigenous engagement will get underway

Also making its way through the Legislature on Tuesday afternoon were some amendments to the Nisga'a Final Agreement, with amendments to the definition of the "Nisga'a settlement trust" to allow the Nisga'a to broaden the scope of investments through the trust.

The second amendment was to correct a reference error in the fiscal relations chapter that was identified during negotiations.

The amendments can be reviewed here.

There were some notes from back on the North Coast that may soon make their way towards MLA Rice's office, with themes of Health Care and the need for more affordable and supportive housing being heard in Prince Rupert this week.

North Coast Transition House Society outlines housing options offered across the City

Councillor Cunningham calls for collective approach to securing health care in Prince Rupert

As for the first week of work in the House for the fall, the four days unfolded as follows:

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On the week, Ms Rice was not listed in the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from November 25-28

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  was listed five times in the accounts of  the Legislature Archive for the week of November 25-28

The majority of his notices were through introductions of guests in the gallery, as well as a presentation of a petition from residents of Skeena calling for the modernization of denture related services.

Mr. Ross did have one final presentation for the fall session, speaking once more to the themes of the UNDRIP legislation.

MLA Ross speaks to UNDRIP in the Legislature, sharing his concerns of lost progress over a return to square one

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

He has also been appointed to the Standing Committee on Children and Youth

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

MLA's will not return to their work in the Legislature chamber until called back by their respective House Leaders, once it is determined when the first session for 2020 will take place. 

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.