MLA's Week: December 7-10, 2020

MLA's returned to their duties  for the first time since the Fall election on Monday, getting to work as part of a short two-week session prior to the Holiday period break.

For the Northwest MLA's the week was one of remote participation with both Ellis Ross and Jennifer Rice taking part in debate from their home constituencies.

COVID remained the dominant theme for the Legislators, with the Speech from the Throne outlining the new government's response and the rollout of additional funds for British Columbians in response to the coronavirus and its impact on the province.

BC Legislature returns in session today, with a two week focus on COVID relief

The North Coast MLA received her mandate letter prior to the start of the Legislature session, the document from the Premier that reviews Ms. Rice's duties as Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness

As New Session of BC Legislature arrives and Majority NDP government take to its duties, some marching orders for Northwest MLA's

Stikine's MLA Nathan Cullen, who takes his seat following a lengthy Federal political career on Parliament Hill, was also assigned his duties and responsibilities as he takes on his Ministry of State portfolio in the Horgan cabinet.

Nathan Cullen's mandate letter lays out the expectations of the Premier

Back at the home office on the North Coast, Ms. Rice also put out the help wanted sign, starting the search for a new constituency assistant

MLA Rice starts the search for constituency assistant

As for more on the week or work from the House, the five days unfolded as follows:

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On the week, Ms Rice was listed four times in the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from  December 7 -10

Ms. Rice provided her observations on the Speech from the Throne as well as some notes from the recent election campaign as her contribution to the debate for the week.

North Coast MLA Rice on the Throne Speech, COVID response and more

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 mentioned twice in the record for  Legislature from  December 7 -10 

The Skeena MLA participated in the debate related to the Financial Statements review speaking both on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning to the issue.

MLA Ellis Ross on the return to the Legislature, COVID funding and transparency concerns, as well as growing divisions in BC

The Skeena MLA 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 and as noted above, he has been appointed to the newly created Committee to study the Police Act.

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 short two-week session for the Fall/Winter will come to an end this coming week.

The full schedule for the Legislature for 2021 has yet to be released.

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