Saturday, February 29, 2020

MLA's Week: February 24-27, 2020

The week for the most part was turned over for debate of  the Budget presented by Finance Minister Carole James on February18th, with both Northwest MLA's speaking to her themes during the last four days of the Legislature session


And as those commentaries were provided, the week was another tumultuous one for MLA's with the events in Wet'suwet'en territory and other communities of the province and across Canada related to that dispute claiming a significant amount of time in Question Period.

The prospect of a new Middle School for Prince Rupert also made for a small current in the information stream of the week, with Ms. Rice highlighting her enthusiasm for the prospect of the new school.

MLA Rice is ready for a ribbon cutting

The province also offered up some good news for a pair of Northwest communities, with funding for housing studies in both Terrace and Stewart.

Province puts 1.7 million towards community data collection on housing needs

The Minister of Health and BC's Public Health Officer hosted a number of updates this week on the ongoing work towards the Coronavirus situation.

COVID 19 update for BC notes steps of preparation in the province

This week also brought some additional funding for Metlakatla, with the Province putting money into a coastal erosion project

750K in funding from Province for Metlakatla coastal erosion project

We also took note of the shout out to Coast Mountain College from last weeks budget and how it will address housing issues in Terrace, noting how there still is no progress towards campus housing for the Prince Rupert campus.

As BC Budget hails Coast Mountain College housing plans for Terrace, Prince Rupert accommodation plans remain more of a Five Year plan

As for more on the week of work in the House for the spring session, the four days unfolded as follows:

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On the week, Ms Rice was listed three times in the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from February 24-27

The MLA's week started with a statement to the House on Tuesday morning on breastfeeding and forced lactation, with Ms. Rice bringing some personal experiences to her delivery of information.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice shares more parenting moments with Legislature members

Wednesday Ms. Rice spoke twice in the Chamber, the first a statement on Racism and the impact it has had as close as her own constituency office, she also spoke to a range of themes on the Budget of February 18.

In Budget speech response, MLA Rice reflects on damage caused by Liberals in the past, advances from NDP in governance

MLA Jennifer Rice speaks to Racism and Indigenous issues with Legislature statement

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 four times in the accounts of  the Legislature from February 24-27.

Beyond the expansive themes of the week, onThursday, Mr. Ross made note of visitors in the Gallery for the morning session.

The Skeena MLA was once again one of the lead Liberals in Question Period and on Wednesday he addressed more questions to the Government side on the dispute in the Wet'suwet'en territory.

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross finds national attention as resource debate roils the Legislature

Tuesday, Mr. Ross also provided for his thoughts on the recently delivered NDP budget.

In Budget debate, MLA Ross notes economic impact of changes in Skeena and work still to be done

Mr. Ross began the week with some comments related to his past experience on themes of Aboriginal Rights and title

Aboriginal Rights and Title, UNDRIP among themes for MLA Ellis Ross in Monday Legislature speech

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 constituency


The Legislature returns to its work on Monday.

The full schedule for the Legislature for 2020  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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