From the Jennifer Rice Zoom Room

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice has been participating in this weeks
session of the Legislature through a remote connection with her
constituency office in Prince Rupert
(From MLA Rice's FB page)

As we outlined earlier this week, British Columbia's elected officials have returned to the duties at the BC Legislature, a lengthy break during the period of COVID coming to an end on Monday as Speaker Darryl Plecas welcomed members to the Hybrid House.

While the Legislature building is still the host venue and some of the provinces elected officials are still in the Chamber and walking the halls at the Leg, many more are participating in the affairs of the province by remote access, with electronic discussion and debate the new focus in BC.

Among those making a debut online this week was North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who streamed into the Legislature from her constituency office in Prince Rupert,  participating in two Zoom like video opportunities to engage in the Daily business in Victoria.

On Monday, Ms. Rice spoke to the importance of National Indigenous Peoples Day and addressed themes of reconciliation, self reliance and self determination for the Nations on the North Coast.



Her second appearance on the Big Screen at the Legislature came Tuesday where the MLA took up the theme of the COVID pandemic and some of the challenges that it has provided to the communities of the province.

Much of the focus for Ms. Rice on the day was to review the impact of the COVID situation on First Nations and some of the tensions found in the region.

Her presentation from Tuesday was one mixed with some historical thoughts on the past experiences found in those communities since colonization began, along with the current concerns being expressed across the region.

"During this time however it's important that we heed the words of Public Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry, to be kind, to be calm and to be safe, we can't let this crisis divide us, working together we will find resolution"




You can follow the events of the Chamber from the Live feed from the Legislature website.

For more notes related to the work of both North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice and that of Skeena's Ellis Ross, see our archive pages below:

North Coast

Skeena

Further themes on provincial politics can be explored from our blog D'Arcy McGee.