Few valentines shared in Legislature as BC Liberals take on NDP government on crime and community safety in the province

It may have been a day dedicated towards love, but Question Period at the Legislature took on a different vibe on Tuesday, that as the BC Liberals used the daily opportunity to ask questions  on concerning issues around crime and violence in the province of the Premier and his Ministers.

Five members of the BC Liberals took differing approaches to the topic, addressing most comments to the Premier, though it was Public Safety Minister, Solicitor General and Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth who took on the challenges of the opposition.

Some pointed to specific incidents in recent weeks across the province, others highlighted concerns over the state of the release of offender program which sees offenders mostly arrested and returned to the streets in a fairly quick turnaround.

Among those to take part in the Question Period themes was Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, who spoke of rhetoric, excuses and a lack of action that residents of the province are asking for from the government.

"For years, we've been bringing accounts of victims of violence to this Legislature and trying to get government to act. Now, we've heard the responses from government, and it is rhetoric. We've heard this government blame the federal government, for example. We know that this government downloads responsibility on municipalities and small businesses. We've heard all that. 

But this is the first time that I've heard government get up and say: "The work that we've done to protect B.C. citizens from violence is amazing." That's the first time I've heard that, when the amount of attacks are going up in British Columbia.

Just take one account of a victim that gets hit on the side of the head and tell them that this government is doing amazing work. 

People across the province are growing tired of the Premier's excuses amid ongoing crime and social disorder in our communities."

The MLA has posted his full exchange with Mr. Farnworth through his social media stream.

The entire Question Period of talking points to the issue can be reviewed from the Legislature video archive.

Terrace which is part of Mr. Ross's constituency made for some of the discussion in the session, it has had a number of high profile incidents in recent months that highlight the concerns over crime and safety in communities, but it's not alone, not in the Northwest and not across British Columbia.

The governing NDP has indicated that a tougher approach on criminal issues is ahead, an approach that will also bring more supports in areas of mental health and social issues towards the growing problems.

More notes related to the Legislature can be explored from our archive pages.