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

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice participated in the
Debate on the Speech from the Throne as part of the
Tuesday afternoon session of the Legislature
(Photo from BC Leg video)

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice made her first comments as part of the new session of the Legislature on Tuesday, speaking remotely from Prince Rupert, the newly returned MLA provided for her response to Monday's Speech from the Throne, the presentation which provided the blue print ahead for the NDP government.

The early themes of Ms. Rice's first address for the new session explored the scope of the current COVID response in the province and the impact that the near year long presence of the virus has had on residents of British Columbia.

"The throne speech is an opportunity to outline the direction a government intends to take, and the focus of this B.C. NDP government is about making life better for people by supporting them through this global pandemic. 

Right now, more than ever, I want to acknowledge the extraordinary times we're in, the hardship that the pandemic has placed on people and, sadly, those that we have lost to COVID-19. I also want to acknowledge the commitment and courage of health care and other front-line workers that have helped to keep us safe. 

To the pharmacists, pharmacy clerks and grocery store clerks; to the truck drivers, warehouse and delivery workers; to the famers, retailers, teachers and teachers assistants: a heartfelt and an immense thank-you." 

Ms. Rice also made mention of the ongoing concerns over the growing overdose crisis that is being found in the province,

"I also want to acknowledge another pandemic that has played out alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, often with less media attention: the overdose crisis. The overdose crisis in British Columbia and throughout other jurisdictions has taken way too many lives. A toxic drug supply is further exacerbated by this pandemic. 

We have made significant investments to help those using drugs to access a safer drug supply, and I encourage people to reach out and seek help if they need it."

The MLA's opening remarks for the final session of 2020  then took some time to look back to the recent provincial election and served in a fashion as way for her to catch her constituents up on what she has been doing in the weeks since being returned to the Legislature.

"I want to take a moment to also thank the people of North Coast for once again choosing me as their representative in the B.C. Legislature. It is my pleasure and my challenge to bring the issues of those in Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii and all of the communities in between to the central coast to Victoria. 

Each and every day, I endeavour to be a voice for rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Thank you to my election campaign team of volunteers, led by my campaign manager, Ella Champion. Thank you to my constituency assistants — Joshua McLeod, who is currently on parental lead with his third child, and Ben Tassell, who is carrying the load right now. 

Of course, thank to my wife, Andrea Wilmot, who supports me in the work I do and who is home raising our child, who turned one years old yesterday. Also, thank you to Andrea for taking Lu̓á to get his immunizations a few moments ago so I don't have to see him cry."

Towards the concerns of her constituents, Ms. Rice explored a number of themes from the challenges of COVID on Indigenous Communities along the Coast and on Haida Gwaii to the struggles of the tourism industry

"I recognize the unique challenges currently faced by many of my constituents. The challenge of being a ferry-dependent community — such as those on Haida Gwaii, in Klemtu, Bella Bella, Bella Coola and others — further compounds the effects of COVID-19. 

The challenge of being a First Nations community that is culturally based on being together in groups in birth and in death and in many other celebrations — I acknowledge how hard it is to be together by being apart right now. 

To the small and tourism businesses in Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii and the Bella Coola Valley who are struggling to stay afloat: I commend you for your creativity and innovation to get through this global pandemic."

The remainder of the MLA's Throne Speech review was for the most part a catalogue of government actions in recent months.

Her talking points made up of Government initiatives which included the planned roll out of coronavirus vaccines for the province, financial support through COVID times, job protection, Child care and BC Hydro rate relief to name a few.

Ms. Rice also put some focus on a range of themes on health care planning that the NDP government will introduce or continue on with into 2021.

"We will move ahead with a new health care plan based on three main goals: faster care, care closer to home and more personalized care. This will include adding more MRI machines in high-demand areas, training, recruiting more skilled health care professionals; delivering ten more community-based urgent primary care centres in more communities; and building and modernizing hospitals. 

We will expand primary care networks and refocus on the rural health care and work to hire a workforce that better represents the communities it serves. We will continue to make investments to deliver better care for our seniors, and we'll work towards improved stability and safety for long-term-care workers."

You can explore the full range of her commentary from the Hansard Record here, as well as through the Legislature Chamber Video archive, her comments begin at the just before the 2:30 PM mark of the Tuesday afternoon session.

For more notes related to the work of the MLA and that of the Legislature see our archive page here.