My first two and a half weeks in Victoria were eventful and historic. Aside from getting lost numerous times in the Legislative Buildings I discovered quickly how helpful the Legislature staff are with the rookies.
Minister of Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson was named Speaker of the House.
We tabled our Throne Speech and then the debates on the speech began. During this process I had the opportunity to rise and speak four times. I offered an opening prayer, gave a two minute speech on the Greenways Westside Legacy Trail Project, gave a five minute Canada 150 speech, and a thirty minute response to the Throne Speech. All of these can be found on my website or on the BC Legislature Hansard.
During the sitting we introduced a bill that would have given the Green Party official party status, which is what they had wanted. The bill was defeated by the NDP/Green partnership, which was odd given the Greens had asked for official party status.
As a result of the NDP/Green partnership, our Throne Speech was defeated by a vote of 44-42 resulting in a vote of non-confidence. The Premier immediately went to meet with the Lieutenant Governor, who in turn decided to let this NDP/Green partnership form government. The Premier tendered her resignation as protocol requires. Speaker Steve Thomson, on his own accord, resigned as speaker.
This is a historic event in terms of parliamentary process and once the NDP/Green pick a speaker, the legislature will become a hung legislature with 43 seats on both sides.
The agreement between the NDP/Greens makes this government incredibly fragile and no one is certain how this will all end up playing out. Realistically, a new election may be the ultimate result of this instability.
Back in Columbia River-Revelstoke:
I have been working on many issues throughout the riding:
— While in Victoria I met with Jordan Sturdy, the former Minister of Environment, and presented him a formal letter from myself as MLA regarding the Conservation Officer issue in Revelstoke. The letter outlined the issue and the reasons why a CO needs to be reinstated. I received a letter back from the minster outlining that as per our Throne speech, we would be increasing the support of the Conservation Officer Service, which opens the possibility of getting a CO Back in Revelstoke. I also made him aware of the signed petition from constituents regarding the reinstatement of the CO. Once a new Minister of Environment has been appointed, my plan is to present the petition in the legislature formally request a meeting with the Minister reinforcing the importance of this issue and a solution.
— Trail use issue in the Columbia Valley east of Taynton Bowl up to Goldie.
— Business issues with PST payments.
— Sewage issue in Revelstoke.
— Recreation programs in Invermere health care facilities.
— Derelict home issue in Edgewater.
— Issues involving the owner/builder legislation changes involving BC Housing, Licencing and Consumer Services. I personally had a conversation with the Liberal Minister of Housing and we agreed something needed to be done to change this. I will be presenting this issue to the new minister once the position has been filled.
— Increasing deer population in Kimberley (working with Mayor Don McCormick).
— Interior Health Issue in Kimberley (working with Mayor Don McCormick).
— Highway speed issue and viewscape in Fairmont Hot Springs.
Events
— I participated in the grand entry at the Akisqnuk National Aboriginal Day celebration and spoke to those in attendance.
— Spoke to the gathering at the Shuswap National Aboriginal Day celebration.
— Participated in the Radium Days parade.
— Canada 150 in Revelstoke: Rode in the parade in a fire truck celebrating the Revelstoke fire department’s 125 year anniversary. Spoke at the Canada 150 gathering in the park and cut the cake with Mayor Mark McKee and the fire department chaplin.
— Attended and spoke at the unveiling of the new cenotaph and memorial park in Kimberley.
— MC for the Gagne Family logging show and raising money for the Summit Youth Bail and Jail activity during Valley Appreciation Day festivities in Invermere.
Completed Meetings and upcoming meetings
— Akisqnuk First Nation Chief Lorne Shovar.
Multiple meetings scheduled with constituents dealing with a variety of issues.
— Scheduled meetings with Golden Mayor Ron Ozust and CSRD director Karen Cathcart.
— Meetings being scheduled with all other mayors and councils/regional directors.
— Meeting being scheduled with senior management of Paper Excellence.
— Meeting in Revelstoke with Mayor Mark McKee, the Revelstoke Home Owners Association and Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
— Interview with Revelstoke Current Video “All Things Politics”.
— Meetings being scheduled with Kootenay Rockies Tourism.
— Meeting being scheduled with management of Heemskirk Consolidated Limited. Working currently on Heemskirk’s Road permitting.
— Attending UBCM in September, accompanying our municipal elected representatives in meetings set with the new Ministers.
MLA Staffing
I am very pleased to report Rachel Loganberg started July 1 as my full time constituency assistant (CA) and will be based in Kimberley. She is working remotely for the time being until our office is open.
I am very pleased to report Stacey Brensrud accepted the position of part time CA in Revelstoke. She will be starting August 1.
My legislative assistant in Victoria is Shala Robins and she has been a huge asset in terms of my challenging the MLA/legislative learning curve.
We are working very hard at getting our offices up and running. Our main office will be in Kimberley and will be open five days a week. Renovations are coming along very well.
We secured a location for our office in Revelstoke and renovations will begin shortly. The Revelstoke office will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Thursday.
The goal is to have both offices open and ready for late August. We will be having an official opening in both locations once they are ready.