Saturday, April 9, 2016

MLA's week, April 4-7, 2016


The first week back from Spring Break proved to be a busy one for North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who spoke a number of times on a range of issues through the House sessions of the week.

Ms Rice was listed three times in the archive of participants for the thirteen sessions of the Legislature, or for those listings related to work as part of House Committees for the week of April 4-7.

Tuesday provided her the first opportunity for comment on House proceedings following the two week break, with the North Coast MLA speaking to proposed changes to Bill 15 which will created a new Class A provincial park near Prince George.

The discussion offered up a chance for Ms. Rice to share with the Legislature members some of the enjoyment found locally at Prudhomme Lake Park and to address the need for some provincial help with items of interest around the park.

MLA seeks provincial support for Prudhomme Lake Recreation area

Tuesday, Ms. Rice raised concerns related to funding for forest fighting resources in the province and reminded the Legislature that forest fire risk is even found on the North Coast, noting the fire near Port Edward of last year.

Rice speaks to need for better forest fire fighting resources and funding

Thursday proved to be the highlight day of the week for the North Coast MLA, with Ms. Rice introducing a Private Members Bill, The Safe Water for Schools Act 2016, proposed legislation to address concerns related to contaminated water in the province's schools.

MLA Rice introduces private members bill on water testing for Schools

Her initiative at the Legislature also found strong support from the province's teachers union, which outlined its desire to see the bill move forward.

BCTF provides strong support for Jennifer Rice's Safe Water for School's Act

Ms Rice is also a member of the Committee on Children and Youth, however that Committee did not meet this week.

One other note of interest out of Victoria came with the submission of a letter by NDP leader John Horgan and George Heyman from the NDP caucus raising concerns about the Pacific NorthWest LNG project proposed for Lelu Island. The letter which urged that the CEAA withhold final recommendation for the project was included as part of the CEAA Environmental Assessment process.

Provincial NDP calls on CEAA to withhold final recommendation for approval on Pacific NorthWest LNG 

Also submitting commentary to the CEAA process was the City of Prince Rupert, with their submission fro March to the process added to the document list this week.

City of Prince Rupert CEAA submission on Pacific NorthWest LNG now available on agency website

Members of the Legislature return to work at the Legislature on Monday morning.

There is more background on the North Coast MLA available from our MLA's Week Archive as well as our General Archive on the Legislature.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

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