Support for water licensing Process theme for Legislature discussion Monday

Some new duties for Skeena MLA Nathan Cullen made for some short conversation in the Legislature on Monday.

That as Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau used her time in Question Period to  hail the addition of duties related to the Water Sustainability Act to the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship's portfolio, noting of the new duties as a positive step.

There was a question to go with the Green Party leader's discussion towards the theme, Ms. Furstenau asking if Mr. Cullen would spark to support the water licensing processes and if regional water tables will be co-led by First Nations in every region of the province.

In response, Mr. Cullen provided a short overview of the current program and what is coming towards it moving forward.

There had been an initial three-year program that was then extended. We are working with water users around the province to make sure that the licensing is done in a good way because, as my friend would acknowledge, if we can't measure, then we can't manage. 

There remain some challenges that we are facing on directly. We are just doing our realignment of staffing resources right now. With respect to water tables, which was also part of the question, we look to the Koksilah leadership and the water table that was set up there, Nicola Valley and others around the province, where First Nations are engaging with us in a government-to-government way, setting up water tables to have those conversations with all of the water users within a particular water basin. 

That, in line with the $100 million watershed security fund that we established, again with First Nations partnership, paints towards the more bright future for British Columbia so that we can have those important conversations in advance of the drought conditions.

You can review the Transcript of the session here,  the video of the Question and Answer session through the Legislature Video archive here, Ms. Fursteanu introduces the topic at just after the  2:10 PM mark.

More notes on Mr. Cullen and the other Northwest MLA's at the Legislature can be reviewed here.

Nathan Cullen notes of protections for Spotted Owl, as Green Leader Furstenau calls for expanded legislation

The fate of the Spotted Owl in BC was the topic of note
for part of the Tuesday Question Period at the Legislature
(image from BC Government) 

The logging of habitats for Spotted Owls was raised as part of a larger discussion on the need for Species at Risk legislation, with Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau taking the topic to the Legislation Question Period on Tuesday.

"The federal government was prepared to issue a rare emergency order under Canada's Species at Risk Act to protect the spotted owl's critical habitat. 

In a cruel twist, it turns out that the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and his staff lobbied intently to dissuade the federal cabinet from issuing a spotted owl emergency order. 

A B.C. cabinet minister briefing document obtained under freedom of information states that the emergency order would have "significant impacts on forest sector jobs and provincial revenue, and Ottawa should back away from issuing the order, even when a species is at risk of extirpation." 

My question is to the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. 

How is arguing against protecting habitat for the last spotted owl considered stewardship?"

The reply to the questions came from Nathan Cullen, who serves as Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

The Minister who is also the MLA for Stikine, provided a few notes for the Legislature towards some recent efforts towards the species that the BC Government has taken on in the Spuzzum region 

"We've been building the biodiversity and ecosystem health framework with partners, particularly First Nations partners, who have been working with us every step of the way to introduce a framework as the first phase. We expect that quite soon. 

This will be an important structure for us in dealing with the serious question of species at risk and, of course, the habitat that needs to be protected in order to allow those species to thrive once again in British Columbia. 

I would say, however, that I contend greatly with the 280,000 hectares of old-growth habitat that have been set aside. This was agreed to jointly between ourselves, Canada and First Nations as the critical habitat that would allow, as I said, 150 breeding pairs to exist. I have faith in our partnerships with the Spuzzum First Nation and Canada in the determination of that old-growth habitat, not described as the member did. I think that is incorrect. 

I think it is important to remain determined, to remain hopeful and focused on the habitat required to allow these species to be reintroduced successfully, so that we can all celebrate their critical return to our province."

The full debate over the fate of the Spotted Owl can be reviewed through the Legislature Video archive from Tuesday morning starting at the 10:35 AM  mark.

The province has some extensive notes on the Spotted Owl available here.

More notes from the Legislature can be explored from our archive page.

BC Wildfires among expenses to burn through Government financials on way to $6.7 Billion deficit

The Province of British Columbia delivered a Quarterly report on Wednesday that provided a glimpse at the state of the finances for the province, as well as some of the challenges that have come this year to hit the bottom line.

The Report from Katrine Conroy noting as to how the devastation of the wildfire season, the current level of high interest rates and a slowing global economy have all been challenges for the province to tackle this summer and now into the fall.

“With a diverse economy and strong financial planning, B.C. is in a good position to weather global uncertainties as well as keep people safe through this wildfire season and drought. Through challenges like the pandemic, global inflation and high interest rates, we have led the country in making smart investments in people and the services and infrastructure they depend on.” -- Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance.

Once the number crunching was done by the Finance Department, the update to the year end deficit projection was set at $6.7 Billion an increase of $2.5 Billion from the Budget released earlier this year.

The months ahead are still ones of uncertainty the Finance Minister noted in her review, though observing  that the government plans to keep to its plans and continue to support communities. 

Conroy used the report release to also highlight the different approaches the Current government takes compared to the previous BC Liberal one.  A familiar theme of late for the NDP government, which has been the government of the province since 2017. 

“Supporting people and communities has made our economy stronger and better able to withstand challenges, and we will continue to have people’s back now and for the long term.  

During hard times and slower economic growth, the old government chose to cut services and increase fees, which was the wrong approach. 

No matter what, we’re putting people first and making decisions that support the services and infrastructure they depend on to build a good life”

Of note from the review, is the list of areas where the economic outlook is at risk

The Report highlights the still strong credit rating that BC enjoys as well as how capital spending has been increased in 2023.

British Columbia has among the best credit ratings of all provinces and one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the country, which translates into low debt servicing costs for B.C. Projected capital spending increased by $413 million, mostly to support improvements to health-care facilities and housing projects. 

The update also includes several projects approved for construction since Budget 2023, including Phase 2 of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment.  

Included in her list of capital spending is the recent announcement for a new middle school in Prince Rupert, which so far has no firm date for construction or a location announcement.

The Finance Minister's statement towards the Quarterly report also notes of the challenges ahead for 2024 and what 'levels of prudence' the Government has put in place towards them.

The longer-term outlook in the financial plan forecasts that global economic headwinds will affect B.C. and the rest of Canada in 2024, with slower economic growth and higher unemployment. 

Levels of prudence are built into the fiscal plan, including $5.5 billion in contingencies and a $700-million forecast allowance this year to respond to unanticipated changes or expenses.

The Finance Minister's information release can be read here, the full report can be reviewed here.

BC United Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon used his social media stream to offer a short synopsis of the statement

BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau put her party's focus on the government's reliance on fossil fuels for revenue generation.

So far the BC Conservative Party which has seen some success in recent polling mostly at the expense of Falcon's BC United party, has yet to comment on the Quarterly report.

A review of some of the media coverage of the Quarterly report can be explored through our political blog D'Arcy McGee.

More notes from the Legislature can be reviewed from our archive page.

John Horgan recounts years in Politics, hears praise from Legislature as departure of March nears

Former Premier John Horgan recounted a number of memories
from his time in BC Politics, Mr. Horgan will be resigning from his
seat in the Legislature in March.

The word was making its way around the British Columbia Legislature on Thursday that former Premier John Horgan had decided on his departure date, with March ahead the moment for his political exit.

And with that as the percolating theme of the day, Thursday afternoon's session of the Legislature made for what appear to be Mr. Horgan's final few thoughts on a political life and some heart felt accolades from current Premier David Eby, as well as both the BC Liberal and BC Green parties.

The former Premier rose to speak shortly after the 1 PM start to the afternoon session his commentary charting a journey as it often does; the Legislature a forum as if it were the Beverage room at the Oceanview Hotel for some story telling for the afternoon. 

Mr. Horgan started with a tribute to his spouse Ellie who has been with him on his decades long travels in Politics and prior to them, there was a list of names of those have joined him on the journey or with whom he would cross swords in Legislature debate.

He spoke of the need to compromise and the ability to collaborate and remain friends in the political theatre, despite those times of accelerated rhetoric that the profession brings to the Legislature Chamber or the streets of the province.

The thirty minutes and a bit review was one filled with many anecdotes of a political life that saw disappointments along the way, along with many victories, taking him to the top elected office in the province and place of prominence on the nations stage.

He spoke of cancer, which he's battled twice, sharing a nod towards others in the Chamber that have made that same journey, or face it anew, noting of the volume of well wishes he received as the took on the rigours of treatment.

His narrative included snapshots of the many communities he had opportunity to visit, included on the list one of his most memorable trips, one not too long ago when he and his wife travelled into the Stikine region and a visit to Lower Post to participate in the dismantling of the last vestiges of the residential school period, a moment he described for the Chamber as a powerful one.

What has become his trademark comment of late, provided for the sign off to a political life, with the Premier recounting advice from hims mother from his earliest of days.

"Every day, we get up and we make choices. Sometimes we make good choices. Sometimes we make bad choices. 

My mom, Alice, taught me, at a very early age, that the best you can do is all you can do. 

"Do your level best, son, and everyone will be fine." 

I have tried, over 18 years in this place as an MLA, 30 years working here, 63 years drawing breath, to try and make it better every day for the people around me. 

I want to thank you all for allowing me to say, today, how important that has been for me, for my family and for my community. 

I loved every minute of it, and I can't say any more than that inside the House, but thanks for everything, all of you."

The accolades for a lengthy career in service of his constituents and the people of the province began with Premier David Eby, who noted of Mr. Horgan's popularity at the national level, noting of some disappointment around the recent Premiers gathering with the former Premier not there anymore.

Mr. Eby spoke of the former Premier's commitment to BC and Canada, noting of the endless love and respect that the caucus has for him, Eby observing how he was humbled by the shoes he has to fill.

Opposition House Leader Todd Stone spoke on behalf of BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon and the Liberal caucus, speaking of Mr. Horgan's service as one which exemplified caring for community, constitutents and province.

Among Mr. Stone's remembrances were some lively political jousting in the Chamber, and more personal moments when the Premier would check in with the MLA during a family health situation, an outreach that Mr. Horgan did often for those in the Legislature and beyond it. 

The Liberal House Leader observed that was the measure of the man was that of someonewho never let the political battles rule the day, rather he noted, it was the care for people many think of when it comes the their time with the former Premier.

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau noted of the long friendship Mr. Horgan has shared with her husband Blaise.  As well she observed of the sacrifices that political life can bring for families offering her gratitude to the former Premier. 

She also had praise for much of his work in the Legislature and the list of accomplishments that he brought to the province during his long run on the political scene. 

The transcript of Mr. Horgan's address to the Chamber and the commentary of praise that followed it can be reviewed from the Legislature Chamber video for Thursday afternoon.

His formal resignation from the Legislature and what will be a subsequent call for a by-election for the constituency of Langford-Juan de Fuca will come in March.

More notes on the work of the Legislature can be reviewed from our archive page.

Nathan Cullen updates Legislature on Ukrainian relief actions, as Prince Rupert prepares for local fundraising event in early November

Nathan Cullen made use of his time in the Legislature on Thursday, to provide an update for MLA's on the  latest efforts by the British Columbia government to assist in the relocation of Ukrainian refugees. 

The Municipal Affairs Minister and MLA for Stikine provided the Legislature with a snapshot of the combined work of the Federal and Provincial government on the relocation program to date.

Today I rise as we mark eight months since Vladimir Putin created his unprovoked and illegal war on the people of Ukraine and provide an update to this House and to the people of our province on our collective efforts to help those brave people. So 7.7 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee. 

We supported the Canadian government's creation of a special visa, and more than 600,000 Ukrainians have applied, and 312,318 have been approved entry to Canada, 105,651 have come to Canada, and 8,020 have arrived here in British Columbia. 

I'm very specific with those numbers because each one represents a person, each one represents a story, and each one represents an opportunity for hope in the face of so much aggression and despair.

As part of his Thursday morning notes, the Minister also observed on the welcome that British Columbians have provided and the efforts in communities across the province to help the newcomers settle into a strange new place.

British Columbians have opened up their hearts and their homes and rightfully expect us as a government and us as a legislature to provide help in every way that we can. We've partnered with the United Way to provide round-the-clock support. We've supported our settlement agencies, who are already stressed, with their efforts, with $15 million, to increase their capacity from 17,000 people they can help a year to a little over 33,000 they can help, and provided support to our partners at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of B.C., who have been stalwart at every moment along the way. 

Our province provides immediate access to the Medical Services Plan, 100 percent of eligible prescription costs, and recovers the costs, as well, of the federally required medical exam. B.C. provides immediate access for K-to-12 education and domestic tuition rates for anyone seeking education at college and university and free employment services. 

As a result, many Ukrainians are successfully settling into their new lives here in British Columbia. Yet tragically, this terrible war is not over. For those able to help, please visit our website welcoming Ukraine to offer whatever you can.

The MLA also noted of one specific arrival of a family in the South Cariboo region of the province and the welcome that they have found in the 100 Mile House area.

The theme of the response to the Russian aggression and the arrival of refugees made for more discussion as the morning session moved forward, with BC Liberal MLA Todd Stone and Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau also sharing observations on the situation and the BC welcome.

Those notes can be reviewed from the Legislature archive for Thursday morning, along with the video from the House, both can be found starting at 10:30 AM mark.

On the North Coast, residents of this region can continue to show their support towards the arriving refugees next week, that opportunity comes as Prince Rupert's local organization Rupert Society for Refugee support puts the final touches towards an event at the Highliner Plaza Hotel.

The event which is set for November 5th will offer a Ukrainian dinner for those in attendance, an evening of music and auction opportunities, the doors to the event open at 6PM.

As we noted earlier this month, the Society also introduced a Ukrainian Family which has arrived in the Prince Rupert area, providing a snapshot of their journey to the North Coast.

Find out more about the November 5th event here.

More notes on Community events can be explored here.

Our overview of items of interest from the BC Legislature can be reviewed here.

Praise and Best Wishes for John Horgan following Tuesday's announcement of plans to take leave of Premier's office in the fall

The flow of best wishes for John Horgan has come from across Canada , that as word quickly spread of his Tuesday afternoon Press conference where the Premier announced he would step down from his post following a BC NDP leadership convention this fall.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was one of the first to pass on his regards, one of many to use Social media to hail the work of Mr. Horgan and wish him the best as he charts his new course.

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also paid tribute to his NDP brother in arms.

Fellow Premiers also paid their tributes

Some provincial sparring partners in the Legislature also offered their best wishes on Thursday with both Green Party Sonia Furstenau and BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon hailing the Premier's commitment to BC. Mr. Falcon's salute coming with a familiar sign off for the Star Trek loving politician.

A number of the Premier's Cabinet members also shared their thoughts on the news from Tuesday.

And from the Northwest the regions two NDP members had fond remembrances to share 

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice saluted her leader and his commitment to reconciliation.

While Stikine MLA and Minster of Municipal Affairs Nathan Cullen provided for a pictorial review of some Horgan moments.

And while it's far too early in the political process to speculate on who may or may not decide to seek the leadership for the NDP, the name gaining some significant traction since yesterday's announcement has been that of the Stikine MLA.

Whether he wishes to take on the road to a campaign is something we will no doubt hear more of as the weeks move forward toward the fall.

More notes on the Legislature can be reviewed from our archive page.

Our Political Blog D'Arcy McGee and our Victoria Viewpoints feature will also feature a range of notes that came from the Premier's announcement, as we update those notes later tonight.

City Council to forward Community Health Care concerns petition to Health Minister Adrian Dix

A community petition towards concerns over the decline of
health services at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is on
its way to the Minister of Health

The members of Prince Rupert City Council brought back a petition related to health care concerns the city first received in May for consideration on Monday night, the next step in the process of forwarding the document to the Provincial Health Minister and Northern Health officials.

The topic was a late addition as Notice of Motion to the Council Agenda for Monday evening and  Mayor Lee Brain provided for a short overview of the petition and what the steps for it are next.

"This was from the petition that was presented last meeting around the health care issues here in the community and community residents petitioning that we want certain services stay in Prince Rupert and that we need to send this off directly to the Minister of Health Adrian Dix"

Towards discussion, Councillor Barry Cunningham who has raised health care concerns often in  the Council chamber took the lead in the discussion of the issue.

"You know some people are nervous about this petition and that and to me it's a grass root petition ... showing the Minister of Health as well as Northern Health that the people of Prince Rupert are concerned about losing services.

Over the last fifteen, twenty years there's been a lot of services  either degraded or lost totally in our hospital, little by little and now with the Mills Memorial trauma 3 hospital being built, I think a lot of people are a little nervous. 

Northern Health has made some commitments and then they've changed them and things like that.

So uh, I think we have to get some definite answers from the Minister of health as well as Northern health about exactly what's going to happen"

The councillor also noted of the distance to Terrace and how the Prince Rupert facility serves as a regional facility and how some of the regional industrial partners are concerned about the situation.

"We have the Regional Hospital for the North Coast, you know the other hospital is 150 kilometres inland it's difficult to get there in certain times of the year and things like that. So this a concern of the residents of Prince Rupert  and it's a very grass roots ... Margaret Lorette started  this, ( I ) had nothing to do with it, although I encouraged it  and that. 

But I really think that its important that we get the message across that the people of Prince Rupert  definitely need medical facilities of a good quality to service the whole region and with the growing demand on our industrial base and that some of our industrial partners are also nervous about diminishing services.

So it's something that we have to let Victoria know that we're serious about"

Mr. Cunningham was the only member to comment on the topic. 

Council then voted to forward the petition and a letter of support to the Minister of Health, as well as other respective provincial representatives,  though no timeline on that process was outlined on the night.

You can review the notes on the Petition when it was first delivered to Council from our story of June the 1st. 1,027 residents of the region signed the document before it was delivered to City Hall.

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau and MLA Adam Olsen
are on a tour of BC to hear health care concerns with plans 
to be in the NW in late July

City Council members may want to also prepare a presentation of the upcoming tour of the Green Party of BC, which is holding a month of community sessions across BC to hear concerns from community leaders about health care in the province. 

They Greens have not firmed up their itinerary in the region yet, but as we noted on Monday they will be in the Northwest on July 25th and hopefully have plans to make a stop in Prince Rupert to hear from residents here on the challenges facing the community.

The City has yet to provide the video for the Council session to their YouTube Archive, once they have we will add that element below.

Update: The missing archive of Monday's session was added to the listings on the afternoon of Monday, June 20th.

The item above can be viewed at the 39 minute mark.

More notes on the Monday Council Session can be reviewed from our Council Timeline Feature.

Further items of interest related to Health Care can be examined here, while some of the past Council themes are explored here.

BC Greens to launch province wide Health Care consultation, set July 25th for Northwest visit

BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau speaking in the Legislature
on the final day of the spring session on June 2nd.
The BC Greens have launch a summer long listening tour to
hear concerns on health care from British Columbians

Fresh from her session ending reproach to the governance of the province by the NDP and Premier Horgan, Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau and MLA Adam Olsen are about to make a trek across British Columbia to hear first hand of the frustrations of the people when it comes to the health care system.

The extensive tour was announced last Thursday and provides for a full month of stops for the pair of Green Party members to give them opportunity to hear from health care workers, advocates and patients.

“We need to build a coalition of healthcare advocates across this province,” Furstenau said. “To do that, my colleague MLA Adam Olsen and I will travel across B.C. this summer. We will meet with healthcare providers and people struggling to access healthcare services. We will listen to their stories and learn from them. We will bring their voices back to the legislature louder than ever before.” -- BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau with notes on the party's upcoming health issues tour of the province

The BC Green Party touring schedule  to hear concerns on health care

Health care was just one of a number of themes that the Green Party leader roasted the NDP government over on the final day of the Spring session and the topic has been one of the key issues that the Greens have raised in the Legislature over the last year.

"What people need from this government is to recognize the reality that they are experiencing, whether it's people who can't get back to their town because its burnt down and hasn't been rebuilt, farmers who can't grow crops because their fields got flooded, people who can't afford basic necessities like food and rent, or people who can't get their cancer test results, because they don't have a family doctor. 

The Premier uses this government's communication machine to pat themselves on the backs and take jabs at their opponents. Meanwhile, they ignore looming crises. 

They're out of touch with the reality that British Columbians are experiencing."  -- Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau on the last day of the 2021 Spring Session of the Legislature June 2nd

The Northwest stop is a short one with just one day listed, and few details yet on the itinerary, but if they make their way to Prince Rupert, there should be quite a bit for them to take back to the Legislature to put some pressure on the government over.

The topic has been one of significant concern for some of the members of Prince Rupert City Council who recently noted of a local petition to call attention to concerns over declining services on the North Coast.

The Green party plans could make for a helpful platform for City Council to raise awareness on those local issues and seek out the assistance of the Legislature's third party to help raise the local profile on the concerns of the community with the NDP government in Victoria.

Notes on Health Care concerns and other themes can be reviewed through our archive pages here.

A wider overview of the work of the Legislature is available form our archive, as well as from our political blog D'Arcy McGee and our Victoria Viewpoints feature.

Busy Last Session day for Skeena's Ellis Ross with questions for the Premier on crime in Terrace, Pipeline court order injunction enforcement process

An at times rancorous spring session of the Legislature came to an end on Thursday, and as it has been for much of the last few weeks, the Opposition Liberals were bringing a range of concerns to the Chamber, with Thursday a day for questioning for Premier John Horgan and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth.

Among those from the Opposition side of the House with some questions was Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, who had a number of themes to explore with the Premier on Thursday, one of them about the ongoing concerns over crime in the Terrace area and the nature of the government's handling of the Prolific Offender situation.

More often than not, the RCMP are political fodder nowadays in terms of what's happening in our communities as well as out on project sites, and they're stuck. They're stuck in the middle. They get blamed for everything, and a lot of it is really out of their control. 

So in terms of what I've been listening to not only here in estimates, in terms of law and order and crime…. I've also been listening to the questions in question period regarding crime in our communities and our streets. 

And for the most part, all I've really heard is statistics and nothing really acknowledging some of the complaints that are coming from citizens, whether they be business owners or citizens of Terrace, who are actually the ones that are really suffering the impacts of, say, prolific crime, or property damage or even just threats that may or may not lead to physical harm. 

And for the most part, from what we can understand, there is a four-month study being done by a panel, that will not come to visit Terrace, by the way, to talk to the people of Terrace who actually brought this issue to the provincial spotlight. 

So to the Premier, after this four-month study is completed, how soon will concrete action be taken against prolific offenders here in B.C.?

Towards a reply Premier Horgan noted of the need for collaboration with Mayor Carol Leclerc, and observed of the support the province's approach has gained from the Chamber of Commerce in the city.

I thank the member for his question. I know his community very, very well. I've visited it many, many times, speaking with current elected representatives as well as citizens from the community. I do appreciate very much the sentiments. 

We canvassed this just before lunch with the Leader of the Official Opposition. The sentiment in communities is that it's getting worse, but the data does not back that up. That doesn't mean that those sentiments aren't heartfelt and genuine. 

That's why we appointed Doug LePard and Dr. Amanda Butler to give us, in 120 days, recommendations on how we can square this circle about how police reports to Crown counsel have been going down, but sentiment in the community is that crime is going up ... 

So these are circles that we're trying to square or squares that we're trying to circle, and we're going to be needing collaboration with Mayor Leclerc and her team. I note that the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce welcomed these initial first steps, and I'm appreciative of that. 

Most importantly, we need to have collaboration from the community, from elected representatives at the regional and municipal level as well as working with the federal government on those issues that involve the federal government.

Following up on another topic, the Skeena MLA brought up the cost of enforcing court injunctions related to the Coastal GasLink project and some of what he views as areas where the government has played both sides of the fence.

When we're talking about crime, it's not just in our communities. It's on projects, lawfully approved projects, here in B.C. 

From 2004 to 2017, we actually steered the LNG proposals in B.C. — 18 of them, at a minimum — and one got through: LNG Canada. 

So far, in one section just outside of Houston, all we've seen is basically law and disorder. 

And some of those incidents didn't even get reported as much as we'd like to see. But we did see some of it being reported in the media. 

So Just recently, the Crown did commit to pressing forward with charges on 15 offenders who will be charged with criminal contempt of court following protests last fall over the CGL. 

Can I ask the Premier…? 

I do know that the last time this injunction was broken, the B.C. government spent at least $7 million in enforcing an injunction the second time the RCMP had to go in there. 

To date, how much has the B.C. government spent, not only on injunction, but on the protests of the CGL pipeline?

Mr. Ross also looked to the past over the ongoing dispute in the area and noted how he views the government's position as one that played both sides of the fence.

In terms of what's happening up there, I'm really concerned for the pipeline workers. I'm really concerned for the people in the neighbouring communities. I'm really concerned for the Aboriginals, not only in the communities, but on the pipeline site itself. 

So on December 3, 2021, one of your members, the MLA for Stikine, who is now the Minister of Municipal Affairs, wrote a letter to Commissioner Brenda Lucki criticizing the RCMP actions on that pipeline route. 

Not once did this member mention that there are provincial processes for oversight, that there are independent bodies to review this type of activity, so I don't understand the letter in the first place other than political points. 

So in this case here, not only are communities…. 

What is the Premier willing to do to provide law and order and safety for communities, not only for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginals, but also safety for our workers on the pipeline such as CGL at the location of the protest outside of Houston?

For both of those themes, Premier Horgan observed that in the case of enforcing an injunction for the courts the RCMP can ask for government assistance, while the nature of Mr. Cullen's letter at the time was related to his constituency work.

I don't believe there's a lot of value in re-litigating those discussions, but I will say that when the RCMP is asked to enforce an injunction by the courts — not by the government, but by the courts — if there is a need for further resources, the RCMP can and will often ask the government for assistance, and that is always provided. 

But directing the RCMP, directing interventions, is not the role and function of the Solicitor General, but instead is to ensure that if there are requests for further resources, those resources are made available. And that has been the case not just for this government, but for previous governments as well. 

With respect to the MLA for Stikine's correspondence, that was written not as a minister, but on his MLA letterhead. And I believe there is a distinction, and it's important that we draw this out. 

There are members on that side of the House that have had the dual responsibility of being members of the executive council, cabinet ministers, as well as ensuring that they're representing their constituents to the best of their ability, even if they disagree with them. 

And the member will know that. I know members on that side understand that there are, oftentimes, petitions that are tabled here that are absolutely diametrically opposed to the individual who's putting it on the table, but that's the not the point. 

The point is to represent and reflect the views of your constituents. 

With the MLA for Stikine, at that time, he wrote the letter at the behest of his constituents insisting upon him doing so. He advised them of other complaint opportunities they had available to them. They insisted that he take that action. 

They were blockading his office. They were withholding services from other citizens in the community. So he wrote the letter, advising those that were blocking access to his office that he had done so, but again repeating to them that there were other courses they could follow. 

I believe that's an appropriate course of action for a private member to take — not as a member of executive council, but as a private member.

The full back and forth of the Thursday afternoon Session can be reviewed here as well as through the BC Legislature Video feed for Thursday afternoon, Mr. Ross makes his entry to the discussion shortly after the session starts.

However, if the NDP government thought that the BC Liberals had a lot to say, they may still be reeling from the full on reproach to their governance that came from Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau who levelled some scathing remarks at the government side in the Thursday morning session.

We sure hear a lot from this government  committed to something in the future, committed to things: "We did these inputs." But we don't hear a lot about the outcomes. 

This government has made gaslighting its organizing principle for communications. 

What people need from this government is to recognize the reality that they are experiencing, whether it's people who can't get back to their town because its burnt down and hasn't been rebuilt, farmers who can't grow crops because their fields got flooded, people who can't afford basic necessities like food and rent, or people who can't get their cancer test results, because they don't have a family doctor. 

The Premier uses this government's communication machine to pat themselves on the backs and take jabs at their opponents. Meanwhile, they ignore looming crises. 

They're out of touch with the reality that British Columbians are experiencing. 

With a few notable exceptions — Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transport, Minister of Child Care and the Attorney General — what we have gotten over the course of budget estimates and question periods in this session is message boxes that don't acknowledge the reality of what British Columbians are telling us. 

They feel fear. They feel anxiety about the future. They feel financial pressures, and they are experiencing mental health and health impacts.  And there is a broken trust with this government. 

The Premier thinks that to recognize reality is to succumb to despair. But the truth is that being honest is essential to providing hope for a more secure future. 

My question is to the Premier. Can he be honest about the state of affairs in this province?

Such was the impact on the NDP government from the Green leaders remarks, that Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth referred to it as a rambling statement; and at the end of his reply appeared to use some rather unparliamentary language, a response for which he later would apologize for.

Before I move the motion, I note that the Leader of the Third Party rose on a point of order and said that I used unparliamentary language earlier in the day. If I did, I would unreservedly apologize.

And with that, the final moments of governance were conducted and the session came to a close, with the MLA's destined for their constituencies and a summer mix of work and down time.

If indeed absence makes the heart grow fonder, after as cantankerous session as the Spring of 2022, it would seem that the MLA's are going to need all of these upcoming four months away from each other to get to a more collegial spirit come the start of the fall session in October.

More notes on the work of the MLA's of the Northwest can be explored through our archive page here.

A wider overview of the political scene in Victoria is available from the Victoria Viewpoints feature of our D'Arcy McGee blog.

Opposition parties take NDP to task over lack of preparedness, information sharing and response to weather event

Deputy Minister and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth was
in the spotlight during a contentious Question Period on Thursday 

How the BC Government has handled, or not handled in the view of the Opposition,  the extreme weather emergency of the last seven days, made for a contentious Question Period in the Thursday morning session of the Legislature.

The tone of the debate was led off by Interim Liberal leader Shirley Bond, who expressed her disappointment in the handling of events over the last week.

"The NDP continually display a cavalier attitude when it comes to extreme events in our province and the challenges that British Columbians might face. During the heat dome alone, almost 600 frail, elderly British Columbians died. 

What did the Premier say? "Fatalities happen." When British Columbians were getting swamped over the weekend, the government didn't do anything again. The Premier's response was disappointing. "It gets wet in November," he said, as if his government had absolutely no clue what was happening in our province. 

Well, Washington state certainly did. In fact, Alberta did. Guess what they did as a result of that? They told their residents. They actually warned them, but not in British Columbia."

Liberal MLA Todd Stone carried the bulk of the questioning
of the Deputy Premier on Thursday

Ms. Bond's commentary was followed up on by BC Liberal MLA Todd Stone, who left no doubt as to how the NDP approach to crisis management has been viewed, with the Liberal MLA making his talking points in response to the commentary of Deputy Premier and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth.

"The members of the official opposition are not questioning the incredible work of first responders, local government officials, EMBC, the ministry of transportation and others. We're not questioning their leadership.

With all due respect to this minister, we're questioning the leadership — the lack of leadership — on the part of this minister and the part of this government in keeping British Columbians safe in the face of a disaster. 

Now, whether we're talking about hospitalizations or talking about road hazards, this government is failing when it comes to sharing critical information with British Columbians during an impending emergency. 

Yesterday we saw the Premier shrug and say that "it gets wet in November", as if no one could see this disaster coming. 

Except they did see it, with all due respect to the minister. They did see it in Alberta, and they saw it in Washington state. 

Washington state declared a severe weather state of emergency on Monday. British Columbia took an additional two days to declare a state of emergency in our province. 

This meant that folks only a couple of kilometres south of the U.S. border, south of Abbotsford, had 48 hours more warning than the people of British Columbia did. 

That's unacceptable." 

NDP members have observed how the Liberals have taken some of the Premier's words out of context for their own purposes, accusing the main Opposition party of politicizing the ongoing situation.

That perception perhaps coming from the quick take to social media by the Liberals, who called out the government response.

Though, there is quite a bit of merit in some of the Opposition commentary, particularly in advance warning which is an area where the Provincial government has stumbled in the past, both during the heat dome situation of the summer and the early days of the wildfires of the summer.

Noticeable towards that is the hesitant nature of using the Alert Ready program, a tool that we have tested a number of times in the past, but as of yet has never been put into practical use, a puzzling thing for those that have endured these emergency situations as they have evolved in the last year.

That too made for a topic for  Mr. Stone, as the Kamloops area MLA noted that BC is the only province which doesn't make use of an alert system to warn residents of impending danger.

"All other provinces are using the Alert Ready system. They're using it for tornadoes. They're using it for wildfires. They're using it for a range of other natural disasters. We're not using it here. 

Did the government use the alert system for the 2008 devastating wildfires? No, they didn't. 

Did they use the alert system for the heat dome this summer that killed nearly 600 British Columbians? No, they didn't. 

Did they use the alert system for the wildfires this summer? No, they didn't. 

Did they use the alert system for these floods? 

No, they didn't — the only province in the country not to use this advance warning system."

The Deputy Premier turned that question back on MLA Stone, noting that the BC Liberal government had not made use of the system either, then further advised of the plans for future use.

"And what I've also said in this House is that we will have in place the Alert Ready system, and we've committed to doing that for next spring. 

We also have the ability, and as we worked with local communities to ensure that…. If it's needed in a particular area, as in Abbotsford the other night, we worked with them and had a text ready to hit send and to send it out ... 

And working with local communities who also have their alert systems that they use to make sure, one, that there's no duplication and, second, that they're used in a way that also doesn't cause panic by working with first responders and the emergency coordinations on the ground on when the appropriate time to do it. 

So hon. Member, we will be using next spring, next summer, the Alert Ready system, starting in the central Interior. 

But we're going to make sure that it's done right."

Making mention of the local community aspect however, does serve to remind many that for the first few days of the current flooding and landslide emergencies, those local communities seemed very much on their own.

Local Mayors, Fire Chiefs and Police Chiefs were taking charge of the information narrative, community  volunteers taking to the many tasks arising and lending a hand when called upon. 

As those themes evolved over the first few days of the situation, the Provincial Government did not provide for their first comprehensive information briefing until Wednesday; when the Premier hosted a one hour update that provided a snapshot of how the Provincial government viewed the evolving emergency.

That delay appears to be what was at the heart of the debate of Thursday, which also called attention to the current supply chain challenges and the panic buying that has been prevalent in many communities since Monday.

The opposition making note of the lack of proper warning, the delayed response, areas where most might suggest is an area where there is a need for improvement at the provincial level.

As part of their commentary on the government response the BC Liberal Caucus outlined three areas where immediate action is required.

That call for action, one that was echoed by Green Party of BC leader Sonia Furstenau

And while the NDP may view it as politicizing the situation, the call for a full review into how the Emergency Preparedness planning failed the province this past week, is one which should be taken on quickly before the next dire situation arrives on our doorsteps.

The full Question Period back and forth can be explored from the Legislature Video Archive.

A look at the situation in the Fraser Valley and points east, as well as on Vancouver Island can be explored through our D'Arcy McGee portal and our Victoria Viewpoints feature.

More items of note from the Legislature can be explored here.