Nathan Cullen profiled in Vancouver Observer

While, Nathan Cullen, the NDP MP for Skeena- Bulkley Valley is a fairly well known personality around his riding, in recent years he has found that his profile has been increased  in the nation's capital as well.

A process that finds him regularly sought out for media panel discussions, profile pieces and for those quick news bites that make the media cycle of Ottawa part of the national dialogue.

Still, for many we imagine, Nathan Cullen is a bit of an unknown figure on the national stage, but if so, it seems we're going to learn a lot more about him in the months to come.

With the NDP's arrival as official opposition in the last Federal election, and Cullen's promotion as Opposition House Leader, his efforts on Parliament Hill have caused many to take notice.

Especially in the recent months as he wages his quest to bring civility and decorum to the national debating chamber.

Parliament has become a forum where the MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley seems very much more and more at home in, as each parliamentary session arrives and departs on the calendar. Making Mr. Cullen very much a fixture on the national scene.

With the recent defeat of the provincial NDP, there was thought from some corners of the provincial party that perhaps he may wish to return back to British Columbia, should the NDP decide that the Adrian Dix era has come to an end.

That however,  appears to be a subject that Mr. Cullen seemed to dismiss rather quickly when it was floated last month and with his increased responsibilities on the national stage, it appears that the federal scene is where he plans to remain.

He seems inclined to further his impact on Parliament and within the Federal NDP, weighing in on any number of topics of interest on the Federal political scene.  The latest, some observations on the current political climate in the Capital and the recent challenges that have arrived for both the Conservative and Liberals.

That review of events can be found in the Vancouver Observer a publication that is of course rather inclined to support much of what Mr. Cullen believes, but one which provides a fairly concise examination of his thoughts on recent events, as well as Mr. Cullen's path to Parliament.

It's helpful biography of sorts for those that perhaps don't have much knowledge of the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, what his background is and where and how his political philosophy has been formed.

Cross posted from The North Coast Review

The Councillor Steps Aside

Councillor Jennifer Rice submitted her resignation by letter on Monday evening, stepping down from Prince Rupert City Council after almost two years of service to the course of civic governance.

As we've catalogued on the blog in recent months, the prospect of her stepping down from Council has been a discussion point going back to the days of her entry into the recent provincial election run up.

Should She stay, or should she go...

Councillor Rice just one of many to make the jump to provincial politics

Ms. Rice's success over PRDTA President Joanne Larson, secured her nomination for the NDP and from that point on, it would seem she was on a clock, with only the end of her running time on council to be determined.

The topic of Ms. Rice's future only intensified with her successful quest for provincial office. With many offering up their thoughts on her future with her pending decision to be discussed, debated and/or argued in any number of forums around the city.

You can review the full archive of the recent election campaign here.

Monday night, the newly elected MLA for the North Coast, provided the post script to her Council days (though she wasn't on hand to deliver it personally).

You can review the announcement to Council from their video website, the Councillor's farewell was delivered by City Administrator Robert Grodecki, at Monday's session. (see the notice at the 21:30 minute mark)

Councillor Carlick-Perason followed up the announcement, by providing her tribute to the departing Councillor, a sentiment echoed by the Acting Mayor for the night Nelson Kinney.

Not surprisingly, the Northern View was the first of the media outlets in the city to herald her decision.

Over the last six months or so, the Northern View has been the most adamant on the theme that the Councillor had to step aside, at times with a fascination that bordered on the fanatical.

The tone of the editorials from the publisher Todd Hamilton in particular seem to have provided a sub plot to the debate as Rice supporters (and even the MLA  elect herself), offered up the rebuttal's to Mr. Hamilton's at times rather incendiary polemics.

Her departure now provides Prince Rupert City Council with a decision to make, as they work out the requirements and cost out the prospect of a by election to fill her seat.

As they consider that decision to come, they may wish to include a referendum on some outstanding civic issues, including the recently deferred Emergency Services building.

Or perhaps they will take guidance from the City of Golden which at the moment is considering reducing the number of councillors that sit on that City's Council, dropping the number from six to four.

That is a suggestion that we imagine that could fall under the "working smarter" mantra of council of late and a recommendation that might make for an interesting discussion around the Council chamber, but perhaps is one that is most likely for a later date.

The Northern View article on Councillor Rice's departure can be found here.

And for your archival purposes, (the Best of?) the Councillor must go contributions can be found below.

June 5-- The Northern View-- This gentleman prefers brunettes (editorial)
May 29-- The Northern View-- Attacks on Rice ineffective (letter)
May 29-- The Northern View-- Time for Rice to step down (letter)
May 29-- The Northern View-- Hamilton's "infatuation" crosses the line, says MLA elect Rice
May 22-- The Northern View-- Time to live up to election promises  (editorial)
May 22-- The Northern View-- Now is the time for Rice to step down (editorial)
May 8-- The Northern View-- Hamilton's attacks on Rice offensive (letter)
May 1--The Northern View-- Rice gives Hamilton a failing grade (letter)
April 24--The Northern View-- The education of Jennifer Rice (editorial)
February 12-- The Northern View-- Prince Rupert City Councillor Jennifer Rice should resign her seat

Cross Posted from the North Coast Review