BC NDP replay their greatest hits as part of Speech from the Throne; as Premier responds to string of Protests across the province

British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin delivered the
Speech from the Throne on Tuesday afternoon, opening the
Spring session for the British Columbia Legislature

When Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin finally made her way through the angry masses assembled outside of the BC Legislature on Tuesday, she provided for a lengthy check list of the BC NDP governments achievements and benchmarks for the last few years.

Providing for a look back an those initiatives that the John Horgan government has had the most pride in over the last two and a half years.

The roll call of policies and programs of the Speech from the Throne, not far removed from something that would be familiar to regular readers of North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice's Facebook page.

With the North Coast MLA's information portal of late somewhat of a rolling advertorial of the governments work since taking to the governing side of the Legislature.

The entries by the MLA however, also feature some commentary from her readers and constituents that suggests that not everyone is on board with the message making.

As for the Speech of Tuesday, among some of the themes that the Lieutenant Governor rolled out on the afternoon included, the province's success on Housing initiatives, the Clean BC program initiarive, as well as the government plans to address issues with ICBC and the response to the forestry crisis in the province.  

The speech also highlighted the continued prospect of LNG development in the province through the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, as well as the NDP government's ongoing work on issues of Reconciliation with Indigenous People in the province.

The latter two topics perhaps not resonating as positively with the assembled masses that barred the doors and accosted MLAs on Tuesday as they made their way into the Chamber for the Speech.

Nor it seems is the success story the government was relaying on Tuesday finding a welcoming audience in a few pockets of the Bulkley Valley or among some of those living in many other communities far beyond.

That as protests spur frustration, anger and controversy around the province and served to disrupt the NDP's hopes for a positive forward looking launch to the Spring session.

The full overview of the Speech from the Throne can be reviewed here .

The Lieutenant Governor''s address can be viewed from the video Feed from the Legislature Chamber for Tuesday, February 11th.

To put his stamp on the work of his government over the last two and half years, Premier Horgan highlighted the challenges of today and the promise of the future as part of his narrative for the day's guiding blue print for the session ahead.

"British Columbians are more prepared to face the challenges of today and tomorrow, because they have a government that is a partner in their future. We’re going to continue the work we started two and a half years ago, to make life better for people, so that B.C. can once again be a place of hope and opportunity – a stronger province, for everyone.”

Mr. Horgan also addressed the growing number of protests related to the issues found in the Wet'suwet'en territory, issuing a separate statement directed towards the ongoing disruptions in the province and reinforcing his government's dedication towards the goals of reconciliation in British Columbia.

“British Columbians have the right to peaceful protest. We support people in the exercise of their democratic rights – within the law.

That said, I understand the frustration of people who have been unable to go to work today, who have been unable to enter government buildings or have been unable to get around in their communities.

These events show us why meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is our shared responsibility and is critical to our province and our country. This was a commitment my government made in good faith two and a half years ago, and as Premier, I am determined to see it through."

His statement which you can review here, also noted how the Province had attempted to find a resolution to the ongoing impasse in the Wet'suwet'en area and remains committed to remain engaged with the hereditary chiefs of the region and that the channels of communication remain open.

“Reconciliation is hard work. It does not begin or end with a single decision, event or moment. No single one of us decides what reconciliation can or should look like. It is a shared journey we are on together. 

We know that this work isn’t easy. If we’re going to achieve it, we have to stay committed to this process, keep engaging with one another and find common ground. 

As we move towards a collaborative action plan flowing from the unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, I am confident we will get there together.”

For the most part the media coverage of the Throne Speech and the protests across the province, painted Tuesday as a particularly dis-spirting day for the Premier.

You can review those notes from our political Blog D'Arcy McGee and our Victoria Viewpoints archive.

For a wider overview of the work of MLA Rice and the Government in Victoria see our legislature archive page here.

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