Health care dominated much of the discussion for the week at the BC Legislature, with the members of all three opposition parties taking note of a string of concerning issues across the province and seeking more from the government towards how it plans to address them.
The topic one of some note for Prince Rupert residents, as the city's hospital once again announced more overnight Emergency Department closures during the week, a continuation of the string of closures for the health care facility last month
While it was a fairly low profile week for North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, she did make note of some news from the province. The MLA relaying word of a new program to match up patients who don't have doctors with physicians, though for Prince Rupert it may be more of a longer term option, that as a number of doctors plan to leave the community in the next few months.
Ms. Rice also made note of the recent Haida Agreement, speaking to the topic late in the week as part of the Thursday session. Her comments in the Legislature followed approval of the 'Rising Tides' Land title agreement by the Haida Nation membership last weekend.
Skeena MLA Ellis Ross was one of the Opposition members to speak to health care issues, raising a number of health service related concerns from residents in Kitimat as part of the Legislature debate this week
Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen also had an active week, that through a pair of committee sessions related to his Ministry in Lands, Water and Resource Stewardship.
Opposition members also turned a spotlight on the NDP government's Clean BC program, taking note of a percolating controversy related to concerning allegations from that program
As for more on the work from the House, the sessions of the week unfolded for the three regional MLA's as follows:
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On the week, Ms Rice was mentioned once in the record for the week in the Legislature from April 8-11.
Her contribution to the Legislature proceedings was a statement to the Chamber related to the recent Haida Gwaii land title agreement. The discussions led to resolution of the long standing issue between the province and the Haida Nation (see video here)
Ms. Rice currently serves as the Government's Parliamentary Secretary for Rural health.
The MLA is also a member of the Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, as well as the Committee on Parliamentary Reform Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.
Ms. Rice is also Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
The North Coast MLA also addressed a range of themes and relayed a number of government announcements through her Social Media Stream.
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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross was mentioned three times in the record for the week in the Legislature from April 8-11, 2024.
Tuesday afternoon, the Skeena MLA spoke as part of the Budget Health estimates for the Ministry of Health, with Mr. Ross raising a number of concerns on health from the Kitimat area. As part of his presentation and questions, the MLA noted of Emergency Room Closures, shared ambulance issues for the region. He also noted of concerns over the loss of services, along with filling open physician posts as part of his questions for the Health Minister (see video at 17:51 of the discussion)
During the Wednesday session, Mr. Ross had two opportunities to speak in the Chamber.
His first commentary was a salute to the Terrace River Kings following their Coy Cup victory in Powell River, as well the MLA noted of a number of regional sports teams that found success this spring (see video at 13:45)
The topic of Clean Energy, LNG Development and some notes on the growing importance of the Port of Prince Rupert as part of the energy infrastructure for the province made for some extensive comments in the Wednesday session as well. (see video at the 14:16 mark)
Mr. Ross serves as the BC United critic on LNG and Energy
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 once in the record for the week in the Legislature from April 8-11, 2024.
Tuesday Morning the Stikine MLA paid tribute to members of Ducks Unlimited who were in the gallery, Mr. Cullen noting of their work on environmental themes (see video at 10:06 AM )
Committee Membership for MLA Cullen for the Spring Session at the legislature has yet to be detailed:
The Stikine MLA participated in two Committee Sessions this week relate to the Budget Estimates for his portfolio in Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship (see Monday afternoon session here and the Tuesday morning Session here)
Mr. Cullen serves as the Government's Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
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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.
Members return to the Chamber on Monday morning.
A larger overview of provincial issues can be found on our Political Portal D'Arcy McGee.
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