MLA's Week: May 2-5, 2022

This was a fairly light week for participation from Northwest MLA's in the seven sessions of the BC Legislature, with most of their talking points of the week relayed through social media observations on themes and issues from Victoria.

On the week, the province noted for a test of the Ready Alert System, while also adding two new elements for warning for that system, with Floods and Wildfires now part of the alert program.

Emergency Preparation Alert System put to the test across British Columbia on Wednesday afternoon 

British Columbia to expand use of Alert Ready System; test of system set for Wednesday

Also of note this week was a gathering of municipal officials from the northwest who met as part of the NCLGA Convention in Fort. St. John, an event which was noted by some of the regional MLA's and other provincial officials as it moved forward through the week.

NCLGA Convention in Fort St. John this week

And the provincially supported Connected Coast project had an announcement this week, hailing the start of connectivity for residents of Hartley Bay

Connected Coast project set to bring fibre optic service to Hartley Bay

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 once  in the record for the week in the  Legislature from May 2-6.

Ms. Rice spoke in the Legislature on Thursday morning on the importance of midwives in British Columbia.

Jennifer Rice hails work of Midwives with Legislature salute

As many politicians did this week, the North Coast MLA also participated in the observance of Red Dress Day, with a statement through her social media feed

Red Dress Day observed in Prince Rupert and across the province 

As Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness, Ms. Rice also saluted the efforts of local participants and prize winners from the recent High Ground Hike Selfie competition

Some local success found on North Coast from High Ground Hike 2022 winners list

The return of BC Ferries service to Haida Gwaii and the Central Coast was a welcome event for many residents, but for the MLA and the government, the issue of the week long shutdown continued to be a topic of note for residents who rely on the ferry as part of their day to day life.

Northern Adventure resumes scheduled service, but with some fences to mend with residents, Island officials and travellers to and from Haida Gwaii

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

Select Committee on Children and Youth

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs

Select Standing Committee on Education

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

The North Coast MLA also addressed a range of themes through her Social Media Stream.

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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross  was not  mentioned  in the record for the week in the Legislature from May 2-6.

One topic of note for the Skeena MLA however was raised in Victoria with the province announcing its plan to assign experts to review the issue of prolific offenders in the province, a topic which the MLA has been speaking to in recent months, particularly as to how it has caused concern for civic officials in Terrace.

BC Government to assign experts to investigate and report on prolific offender issue

A significant infrastructure  project in the Skeena constituency also made some progress this week.

Province of BC to start construction of Terrace Highway Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility

Mr. Ross serves as the Liberal critic on LNG and Energy.

The Skeena MLA is also a member of the Following committees:

Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish and Food 

The Skeena MLA also addressed a range of themes  featured as part of the MLA's social media work.

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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 May 2-6. 

The first was as part of the debate on the amendments to the Municipal Act, a change in legislation that the Municipal Affairs Minister is steering through the Legislature.

Legislature debate explores themes of Municipal Act amendments 

Mr. Cullen also spoke on Wednesday in tribute to a former Smithers Council member Harry Kruisselbrink, who recently passed away in the Bulkley Valley.

Taylor Bachrach, Nathan Cullen pay tribute to former Smithers councillor Harry Kruisselbrink upon his passing

The Stikine MLA is not currently assigned to any Parliamentary committees

Mr. Cullen serves as the Government's Minister of Municipal Affairs

The Stikine MLA also had comments on a range of themes through his Social Media stream this week

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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:

North Coast Constituency

Skeena Constituency

Stikine Constituency

MLA's return to the Legislature on Monday morning May 9th 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