From the Legislature 2024: North Coast Riding

Items of note from our elected officials at the Provincial Legislature and developments on the political scene in the northwest ridings.

For Notes on the Skeena and Stikine ridings see our home page

North Coast
MLA Jennifer Rice (NDP MLA)

Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health 
(Appointed January 2023)

Expense Listings for 2024

MLA's Week Legislature Archive 
(our review of MLA Rice's contributions at the Legislature)

Committee Membership

Select Committee on Children and Youth

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs

Select Standing Committee on Education

Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills 

The MLA Is also Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts 

Jennifer Rice MLA Constituency Page
Jennifer Rice Twitter feed
Jennifer Rice Facebook page


General Overview Notes on the British Columbia Political scene 
(From our political blog  D'Arcy McGee)

2024

--

April

April 12 -- A new Provincial Doctor referral program is introduced by MLA Rice ...minus the doctors for now  NCR

April 11 -- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital to close Emergency Department overnight at 11 PM NCR

April 9 -- Haida Nation members approve of 'Rising Tides' Haida Land title agreement NCR 

April 9 -- Clean BC Grant program in BC to be investigated after concerning kickback accusations made  NCR

April 8 -- Prince Rupert Port Authority adds its voice to those of concern over current Health challenges in region NCR

April 7 -- Prince Rupert Hospital Emergency Department Closure in place tonight from 11PM to 8 AM Monday, April 8th NCR

April 6 -- MLA's Week: April 2-4, 2024 NCR

April 5 -- British Columbians mourn passing of former Prince Rupert icon and resident Iona Campagnolo NCR

April 5 -- City of Prince Rupert led Health Care stakeholders session set for Monday NCR

April 5 -- A decade and more for health care concerns in Prince Rupert, yet today more than ever, there is still "Much work to do"  NCR

April 4 -- City hosted infrastructure forum goes tonight at the Lester Centre  NCR

April 4 -- As Land Title Amendment Act works through Legislature, Skeena MLA provides history tutorial for members NCR

April 4 -- Concerns for safety of staff, patients at Northern Health facilities raised in Legislature Question Period NCR

April 3 -- Prince Rupert's Emergency Closures makes for partial narrative to latest column from Vancouver Sun political observer Vaughn Palmer  NCR

April 3 -- Funding for Prince Rupert Airport projects, Metlakatla Heliport upgrade NCR

April 2 -- Rural Health Care could take the spotlight as Legislature resumes today NCR

April 1 -- Back to the ER Closures for Prince Rupert, as hospital facility to close at 11PM tonight NCR

April 1 -- As Infrastructure rebuild goes into motion; Community Challenges to be memorialized around Prince Rupert  NCR

March

March 28 -- Rural Health Network comes calling to City council, highlighting advocacy for better Rural Health Care NCR

March 27 -- MLA Rice outlines additional measures in place for Hospital ER closures in Prince Rupert NCR

March 27 -- North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice to speak Thursday on Hospital issues for Rotary Club luncheon NCR

March 27 -- Letters written, Conversations to come: City Council shares its focus on the Hospital and health care concerns in Prince Rupert NCR

March 26 -- Prince Rupert's ER at PRRH to be Closed Wednesday from 8 AM to 4 PM NCR

March 26 -- Health Minister Adrian Dix comes to Prince Rupert to explore Hospital issues NCR

March 25 -- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Emergency Room to close again overnight from 11 PM to 9 AM NCR

March 25 -- MLA Rice releases answers to frequent Health Care related questions in Prince Rupert NCR

March 22 -- Prince Rupert's Hospital ER closure streak stops at 5, with full service restored overnight at PRRH NCR

March 20 -- Now Closing for Day Five ... Prince Rupert Emergency Department to close from 11 AM tonight to 8 AM Thursday NCR

March 21 -- Spring slump for BC NDP, BC United as BC Conservatives find spike in polling trends NCR

March 20 -- A day for Statements, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice follows up on City Hall message with her own commentary on ER closures  NCR

March 19 -- Another night of Closure ahead for Prince Rupert Emergency Department NCR

March 18 -- Repeat and Rinse in Prince Rupert ... Northern Health issues another Emergency Room Closure advisory for midnight tonight  NCR

March 18 -- Third Prince Rupert Hospital ER Closure in less than ten days, will raise concerns of a new normal for residents of the North  Coast NCR

March 18 -- With 167,000 dollars in support, Province of BC takes a few seats at the Lester Centre NCR

March 18 -- Premier, Northwest NDP MLA's gathering in Terrace Friday for NWBCRBA celebration NCR

March 17 -- Sunday interruption added to weekend Closure issues for Emergency Room service NCR

March 16 -- Another Emergency Closure for Prince Rupert, as lack of physician coverage issue arises again NCR

March 14 -- Haida Gwaii's Breakers gain Legislature shout out following Provincial tournament NCR

March 13 -- North Coast MLA marks progress of Bill 8, as Haida Gwaii initiative reaches Second Reading in the Legislature NCR
March 12 -- New land use controversy could be percolating for BC Cabinet Minister Cullen NCR

March 12 -- In Legislature comments Monday, MLA Rice hails Government strategy on health recruitment; noes of Prince Rupert Challenges  NCR

March 9 -- MLA's Week: March 4-7, 2024 NCR

March 9 -- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Emergency Department unavailable to residents overnight to 8AM Saturday  NCR

March  8 -- North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice hails process for Legacy funding for Haida Gwaii, along with pending  name change for constituency  NCR

March 8 -- Celebrations of the Achievements of Women to be found around the world and in Prince Rupert on International Women's Day NCR

March 7 -- City of Prince Rupert secures 77.2 million dollars from Federal Government fo rinfrastruc sure work NCR

March 7 -- BC NDP facing accusations of anti-semitism by former caucus member Selina Robinson NCR

March 5 -- Ellis Ross notes of his last Budget debate speech in the Legislature, exploring themes of Government/Indigenous issues NCR

March 5 -- Prince Rupert once again come sup short, on the short list of new FOUNDRY locations in British Columbia NCR

March 5 -- CityWest set to connect Hartley Bay residents to fibre network NCR

March 1 -- Provincially funded child care facility opened at Terrace Sportsplex 

March 1 -- Northwest business proponents with bi plans for region gain shout out from Skeena MLA Ross NCR

March 1 -- Wind Power proposal for Banks Island now open for comment NCR

March 1 -- Nathan Cullen speaks to passion of Brian Mulroney, adds his thoughts to the 2024 Budget debate NCR

March 1 -- Council pushes forward resolution for NCLGA, UBCM towards Speculation and Vacancy Tax option for northern communities NCR

February

February 29 -- District of Port Edward launches new approach towards waterfront park plans NCR

February 29 -- Mayor Pond salutes RBA success with the province, spreads the credit on the initiative around NCR

February 29 -- Prince Rupert's child poverty rate highest among BC urban areas 

February 29 -- North Coast Family Connection centre has rocky rollout (audio)

February 27 -- Terrace mayor talks $250 million revenue-sharing agreement for northwest communities 

February 27 -- BC's Bureaucrats advise government employees and officials against using the term British Columbians NCR

February 27 -- Energy Development theme for Ellis Ross Commentary in Legislature Monday NCR

February 26 -- Nisga'a Nation, Province of British Columbia resolve Treaty issues without need of a court date NCR

February 26 -- MLA Rice shares notes on Housing for Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert in Legislature commentary NCR
February 23 -- Nisga'a Lisims Government and the Government of BC Sign agreement on Interpretation of Nisga'a. Treaty

February 23 -- Industry reacts to pause on Land Act changes (audio)

February 22 --250 million in funding for NWBCRBA among key notes for Northwest BC from BC NDP government' Budget 2024 NCR

February 22 -- Jennifer Rice hosts staff appreciation day at the Legislature NCR 

February 22 -- BC Government, Minister Nathan Cullen, set aside controversial Land Act changes for spring session  NCR

February 22 -- MLA Rice salutes NDP Government's Throne Speech blueprint  NCR

February 21 -- Environmental Restoration announcement for BC includes notice of end of offshore oil and gas permits in coastal waters  NCR

February 21 -- Throne Speech brings shout out for Prince Rupert as NDP Government recounts accomplishments; prepares path to election call of the fall NCR

February 20 -- After last week's Housing Forum in Vancouver, this week takes Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond to Victoria for Resource Benefits talks  NCR

February 20 -- Premier makes mini cabinet shuffle as Spring Session to start NCR

February 20 -- Legislature to resume sitting with new session to start today with 2 PM Speech from the Throne and Budget on Thursday NCR

February 16 -- Two Terrace are Transportation Projects receive honours from Province NCR

February 13 -- MLA reflects on recent trip to Haida Gwaii

February 13 -- Province says no veto contained in Land Act proposals (audio)

February 13 -- BC United Leader critical of proposed Land Act changes (audio)

February 13 -- First Nations say Land Act changes will ease uncertainty (audio)

February 9 -- 1.1 million dollar project announced for High Speed Broadband connectivity for Lax Kw'alaams NCR

February 8 -- Province of British Columbia accepting applications for Fairs and Festivals funding for 2024  NCR

February 6 --  MLA's to return to work at BC Legislature on February 20th NCR

February 6 --  Political Firestorm over Palestine comments claims a BC Cabinet Minister NCR

February 5 -- Union of British Columbia Municipalities to offer Local Governments engagement session on provincial land use plan changes NCR

February 5 -- BC Ferries highlights improvements towards Employee Safety program  NCR

February 2 -- Proposed legislative changes will give Indigenous nations new legal power  on land use 

February 2 -- BC United candidate takes aim at current MLA

February 1 -- BC Data Report on population growth notes of coming surge in residents for British Columbia by 2046; but few of them apparently heading the way of Prince Rupert NCR 

February 1 -- Claire Ratée to shift to Provincial Politics, gains nomination in quest to claims Skeena for BC Conservatives  NCR

February 1 -- BC Government to unveil safer supply program results 

January

January 31 -- Province boosts funding for BC rent Banks

January 31 -- Capital planning grant may signal path to reliable ongoing revenue

January 31 -- BC Conservatives nominate Claire Rattée for Skeena Riding

January 31 -- A closer look at BC's plan to change the way land-use decisions are made

January 31 -- BC Minister say's he's 'keen to discuss lans for Lands Act. Really?

January 30 -- BC's population continuing to grow: BC Stats Report 

January 30 -- BC Parks sets specialty licence plate sales record in 2023

January 30 -- BC government to invest $32 million into cancer diagnostics and research

January 29 -- Province launches new services to help people protect intimate images  

January 29 -- Changes to Land Act are huge despite BC minister's claims

January 29 -- Provincial Government's public land management plans pop up on media and BC United Opposition's radar  NCR

January 26 -- Indigenous training for drone use in farming being funded by the province  

January 26 -- Provincial government restricting cell phones in schools 

January 26 -- Report from BC Coroner outlines how Toxic Drugs claim close to seven deaths a day in British Columbia  NCR

January 23 -- MLA Rice's Haida Gwaii Travels underway today  NCR

January 22 -- Two BC towns to receive funding for flood mitigation projects: MLA

January 18 -- BC Parks opens reservations for Spring Camping, as well last for May Long weekend NCR

January 18 -- Eby calls Conservative Party rhetoric 'divisive', pledges to shore up toxic drug crisis

January 18 -- BC Energy Minister says Northern BC is 'ripe for development' 

January 18 -- Province of British Columbia to provide funding for local governments towards housing legislation changes NCR

January 17 -- MLA Jennifer Rice makes plans for Haida wait tour later this month NCR

January 17 -- David Eby on crime, healthcare, clean energy and BC Hydro (audio)

January 17 -- Falcon lays out BC United's Resource Prosperity plan

January 17 -- BC Hydro planning to spend $36B on infrastructure projects:. Eby

January 17 -- Will BC Hydro's 10 year plan, finally make for the flip of a switch for Prince Rupert's Woodworth Dam  NCR

January 16 -- With Legislature on hiatus, Premier David Eby makes Cabinet shuffle NCR

January 16 -- Big Changes at MCFD (audio)

January 11 -- Eby vows tighter stance regarding online extortion; Fortescue negotiations ongoing 

January 10 -- City Council to issue invite to Northern Health to discuss community health concerns NCR

January 10 -- Parking in Prince Rupert is not Racial, but Spatial  NCR

January 10 -- BC Housing looking to build more supportive housing in Smithers 

January 10 -- Province encourages vaccinations as respiratory illness cases surge 

January 9 -- Province launching do-it-yourself cervical cancer screening

January 5 -- British Columbia introduces French language policy for Francophone residents NCR

Archive of items for 2023

Archive of items for 2022

Archive of items for 2021
Archive of items for 2020
Archive of items for 2019
Archive of items for 2018
Archive of items for 2017
Archive of items for 2016
Archive of items from 2015
Archive of items from 2014
Archive of items from 2013 and before


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