Saturday, October 30, 2021

MLA's Week: October 25-28, 2021



It was a fairly busy week for the Northwest contingent of MLA's at the British Columbia Legislature, with Jennifer Rice, Ellis Ross and Nathan Cullen all featured speakers on a range of themes over the course of the four days of the legislature week.

Among the topics for the week, Wildfire Recovery, Indigenous Education, Climate Change, forward progress for the NDP government's Freedom of Information plans and the changing workplace all served as narratives for the Members of the Legislature.

The week also featured an end of week announcement from the Premier that he was to go into the hospital for surgery on the Friday for a procedure related to a growth in his throat. Late Friday the government advised that the procedure had gone well and more details on the road ahead for Mr. Horgan would be relayed in the days to come.


Friday provided an update on how the provincial and federal vaccine card programs would work, with the province announcing that British Columbians can now access the Federal card through a range of provincial options. 

The Federal card will be required for any travellers planning to take a plane, train or cruise ship in Canada as of today. While the BC Version is still to be used for in province purposes where vaccination proof is required.


British Columbians also received word this week of the province's plans for a third 'booster shot' of the COVID vaccine, with the majority of residents looking towards the new year for the shot.


As for more on the recent week of work from the House, the four days unfolded as follows:

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On the week, Ms Rice was  mentioned  three times in the record for the week in the Legislature from October 21-25

Ms. Rice spoke towards the summer of wildfires and the work the province is doing towards preparation for summers ahead.


Later in the week, the North Coast MLA would be named as two liaisons for the Provincial government for the community of Lytton, which was destroyed by the summer of fire. Ms. Rice and MLA Roly Russell will be working with municipal, regional and Indigenous leaders towards the recovery program for the area.


Ms. Rice also joined the debate on themes of Indigenous education as part of the discussion on changes to the Educations Statutes Act in the province.


The theme of technology and equality in the workplace provided for some items of note for the North Coast MLA during statements in the Legislature on Tuesday


MLA Rice joined the rest of the NDP membership in the Legislature to move forward the controversial Freedom of Information changes, with Ms. Rice voting to defeat a Liberal call for a review, while voting in favour of the NDP government's plans for changing the Act.


The North Coast MLA is also a member of the Following committees:


Ms. Rice serves as the Government's Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness

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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross  was  mentioned once in the record for the week in the Legislature from October 21-25

Reconciliation and Education once again framed some  of the MLA's  time in the Legislature on the week.

Mr. Ross reviewed his thoughts on the province's Education Statutes changes as part of the debate this week in the Chamber.


Mr. Ross also had some comments related to the ongoing BC Liberal leadership campaign, which you can review from our archive page here.


Mr. Ross  is also contesting for the leadership of the BC Liberal Party


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For our readers from the Bulkley Valley area, Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen  was mentioned twice in the record for the week in the Legislature from October 21-25 

Environment and Climate Change Minister George Heyman introduce British Columbia's latest approach towards Climate Change issues this week, with the Stikine MLA providing his observations in support of the government's work in a Wednesday speech in the Chamber.


Mr. Cullen also spoke towards municipal issues in debate later in the same session, exploring themes related to some of the changes that the government has put forward to assist civic government housing issues.

Some of the elements of those changes can be reviewed below:



Mr. Cullen serves as the Government's Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations 

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There is more background on all three Regional MLA's available from our MLA's Week Archive, as well as our constituency archives below:


MLA's return to the Legislature on Monday morning November 1st at 10AM  

MLA's also participate in a number of Committee sessions scheduled through the week.

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




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