Victoria Viewpoints: Friday, May 31, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Friday, May 31, 2019



Globe and Mail 

Vancouver Aquarium should ditch its old-school thinking on cetacean ban
BC's looming crisis: a forest industry in peril
Farm-worker program recruits from Guatemala stranded in Canada without jobs
BC Wildfire Service sets up special camp as risk soars in province's parched northwest


CBC

'Bittersweet' reaction to MMIWG inquiry deeming deaths and disappearance a genocide
9 illegal pot dispensaries in Vancouver must close after court decision, city says
Court documents outline alleged scheme to evade B.C. property transfer tax
NDP and BC Liberals continue war of words over allegations from fired constituency assistant
Unprecedented criminal charges laid in BC workers death


Vancouver Sun

NDP wisely lets Liberals let off steam over Plecas actions
BC Wildfire Service sets up special camp as northwest fire risk soars
Metro Vancouver gang expands to Vancouver Island
How to remove a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Councillor quits Surrey mayor's Safe Surrey Coalition Party
BC Speaker hasn't launched a new investigation, his chief of staff says


Vancouver Province

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Victoria Times Colonist

Pipeline debate may still have surprises


Victoria News

Nisga'a Nation seeks gag order against employee making 'malicious' claims


Global BC

Fortis BC suspends gas line work on Como Lake Avenue after 'ground movements'
Penticton wildfire dangerous sign of 'substantial drought' conditions in region: BC Wildfire Service
BC's invasive mussel defence program launches new season
BC WildFire Service setting up precautionary 150-person camp in northern BC
More than half of British Columbians considering electric car next time they buy: poll
Surrey councillor quits Mayor Doug McCallum's Safe Surrey Coalition, will sit as independent


Vancouver Courier

BC Oil, gas well restoration timelines released
Big Rock Brewery layoffs may include Vancouver operations
Bear on tracks shuts Millennium Line in Port Moody briefly
Union Gospel mission expands to house homeless in East Vancouver
Province to review port tax regime amid business concerns


Georgia Straight

More than 140 grey whales have died off North America's west coast this year and nobody knows why
Police commissioner to review VPD conduct at pipeline protest
Highlights and howlers from Morgane Oger's BC Human Rights Tribunal hearing

The Tyee

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Miscellaneous

A River in the Sky

Ottawa Observations: Friday, May 31, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Friday, May 31, 2019 



Trade Tariffs lifted between Canada, U.S. and Mexico

Trump's plan to hit Mexico with tariffs threatens industrial trade, sends markets tumbling
For Trump, MAGA crowd is more important than any trade deal
How Trump's trade tariff threat has put Mexico's back to the wall
With Trump's new tariff threats, new NAFTA once again hangs in the balance
Threat of U.S. tariffs on Mexico roils markets, dims hopes for new NAFTA
Liberals will work with cities on climate change even when provinces won't: Trudeau
Trump's latest moves in Canada and Mexico are more damaging than  his tweets
Canada calls new tariffs a 'bilateral' border issue between U.S. and Mexico
America cuts off its supply chain to spite its face
Trump's plan to put more tariffs on Mexico threatens new NAFTA: experts
Trump's proposed tariffs on Mexican imports could impact global auto industry


Canadians held in China / China tensions

China tells Canada of 'consequences' of helping U.S. with Huawei case
'Hold China accountable' for fentanyl, Andrew Scheer says
China's threats of 'suffering' can't go unanswered by us
Canada can't buckle under to China's demands


Globe and Mail 

Liberals hope to attract environmental star who can burnish their green credentials on Quebec
Obama warns about effects of fake news on democracies during address in Ottawa
No icebreakers in Ottawa's !15.7 billion plan for new coast guard ships
Liberal government expanding program to protect foreign workers in Canada from exploitation
Liberals will work with municipalities to deal with effects of extreme weather, climate change, Trudeau says
Ottawa posts $14.9 billion deficit in March
Air quality advisories issued for Alberta's largest cities as number of out-of-control wildfires grows to nine
Employers taking cash from foreign workers seeking permanent resident status in Canada


CBC

National inquiry calls murders and disappearances of Indigenous women a 'Canadian genocide'
NDP government would ban single-use plastics by 2022: Singh
Singh gives sneak peek at NDP's climate pitch for fall election
'Fear no more': Liberal government takes steps to help foreign workers, newcomers escape abuse
New tools, stiffer penalties needed to police big tech companies, says competition watchdog
Canada partly to blame for trash fracas with Philippines, say environmentalists
Supreme Court sides with Toronto man over detention in race-tinged case


Toronto Star

Canada has enabled a 'genocide' says inquiry report into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warns Conservative cuts will hit municipalities hard
Why atmospheric rivers are a growing threat
NDP's $15-billion climate plan greeted with mixed reviews
We'll work with cities, even when provinces won't work with Ottawa, says Trudeau
Despite Trump's unpredictable nature, the U.S. file may prove to be an election gift for the Liberals
Will Canada embrace the change needed to stop the genocide?


Toronto Sun

Trudeau's winging it on carbon taxes


Maclean's

Andrew Scheer walks the gauntlet
The NWT premier has a sweeping vision for Canada's North. Is he dreaming?


National Post

Andrew Scheer rebrands his party and gets it right on immigration
A PM that apologizes for our past sins should also celebrate our good
In Canada, whatever politicians might say, free speech wins
The wounded Liberals are now importing US abortion anxiety in Canada
Federal minister casts doubt on MMIW commissioner's push for stiffer sentences for crimes agains Indigenous women
RCMP went silent about massive pot bust over concern for marijuana producer's stock price, documents reveal


Global

Obama talks of populism's 'primal' narrative in visit to Ottawa
Canada needs to ban garbage exports, advocates say following Philippines dispute
NDP reveals climate plan to ease transition to green economy
Independent MP? Not in Jody Wilson-Raybould's long-term future
'You should be ashamed': Conservative MP lashes out at Muslim witness during hearing online hate
New measures to protect migrant workers, families in Canada from abusive situations


Miscellaneous

Young women, disobey
Investigate now, or robocalls wills trike Canada's Elections Again

Chaotic end to Legislature session, leaves Speaker Darryl Plecas once again the centre of attention!

Speaker Daryl Plecas once agin is the centre of attention in Victoria,
following a week of office drama at the Legislature

I rise pursuant to Standing Order 26 on a matter of personal privilege. I have become aware of behaviour and conduct undertaken by the Speaker with respect to senior officers and employees of this Legislative Assembly that I believe to be improper and compromises the ability of those officers to independently perform their duties. 

 I have further become aware of activities undertaken by the Speaker, including the seizure of records, including electronic records, that I believe constitute improper conduct with respect to my rights as a member of this assembly and impede my personal freedoms as a member of this assembly.  

 Insofar as the Speaker serves as the presiding officer of this assembly, I wish to disassociate myself for all purposes, including any subsequent litigation from these actions, which I believe constitute a breach of the individual and collective privileges of this House and a contempt for this House. -- Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, one of 38 Liberals delivering the exact same message in the House Chamber at the end of the Spring Session of the BC Legislature

The final day of the Spring Session for 2019 at the BC Legislature ended much as the Fall Session for 2018 did, featuring some political deja vu and leaving Speaker Daryl Plecas as the ever present centre of attention.

That all coming as the Liberal opposition raised more concerns about the office machinations of the Speaker of the House, a man who seems to court controversy with every turn of the corridors of the parliament buildings in Victoria.

On Thursday evening in the final minutes before the House adjourned for the foreseeable future, Liberal members, one after another rose to speak, delivering the same statement as that of Mr. Ross featured above.

Collectively the Liberals delivered more towards their ongoing concerns, particularly when it comes to the whirlwind of activities that seem to surround the Speaker at the end of each session.

Mr. Plecas once again grabbed the headlines this week after he had ordered copies of hard drives to be made of Legislature staff members under the call of securing data.

That edict ordered amid reports that were made public of him  referring to the recent investigation by former Supreme Court Judge Beverly McLachlin as "pathetic" and the former judge as "stupid".

For his part, in subsequent interviews on the theme, the Speaker referred to those comments as ridiculous, even though the account of the commentary was relayed from Liberals in the room at the time.

Some of the snippets of Ms. McLachlin's report, which the government has not yet released in full to the public,  suggest that the retired Justice had offered some criticism of the Speaker for the nature of his secretive investigation of the fall when it came to spending and other staff activities at the Legislature.

In this week's drama, Legislature staff members were clearly feeling the pressure of what seems to at times be a pretty toxic work environment, with one said to have left a meeting in tears and a few others deciding that the time was nigh to make a departure from the work site.

Those who had decided that retirement from their posts as the session came to an end was wise,  earned the praise of the Premier as well as MLA's in attendance from the morning session ringing in their ears as they bade their farewell.

I rise today to give thanks and bid a warm farewell to two people who have been working — and he's already shaking his head — in this institution for a long time: Randy Ennis, Acting Sergeant-at-Arms, and Ron Huck, our security operations commander. 

Both of these individuals, outstanding people, will be leaving the Legislature this week. I wanted to bid them farewell.

As the Spring session wrapped up yesterday, the Liberals having no faith in Mr. Plecas (a former Liberal MLA and caucus member) were again suggesting that it was time for a new Speaker to be put in place, an offer of which Premier Horgan has rejected.

Not a moment too soon, the legislature now stands adjourned until House Leader Mike Farnworth indicates that there is government business at hand and a return to the House is issued, something not expected sometime this fall, pending any form of provincial emergency.

That means that, much like the Christmas break provided for at the end of 2018 and a few instances before, the chaos surrounding the Speaker is now set to make for one of the key stories to follow through these dog days of summer politics in British Columbia.

February 2019 -- Quiet week for Northwest MLA's as Legislature returns
January 2019 -- Report from Speaker Plecas makes for page after page of revelations on Legislature spending
November 2018 -- BC Legislature breaks for Christmas with NDP looking to showcase highlights; but trapped by public's view of chaotic end
November 2018 -- Controversy swirls around Legislature Speaker over ousting of officials
September 2017 -- Testy opening for Throne Speech as NDP introduce Liberal Daryl Plecas as Speaker

The bizarre happenings of the week were chronicled by all of the province's heavy hitters of political coverage, some of the notes can be found below.

May 30 -- Premier rejects Liberal offer for a new Speaker
May 30 -- BC Premier rejects Liberal calls to dump legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas
May 30 -- With House adjourned, who is watching Inspector Plecas?
May 30 -- Like a bull in a China Shop, Speaker Plecas can't be controlled
May 30 -- BC speaker sparks uproar in legislature as he copies hard drives of acting top officers for another probe
May 30 -- BC Legislature in an uproar over another investigation by Speaker Daryl Plecas
May 30 -- Crisis meeting held at BC legislature over Plecas's move to 'safeguard data'
May 30 -- BC Liberals raise 'grave concerns' over Speaker's actions in cloning hard drives of senior legislature staff
May 30 -- Speaker Darryl Plecas survives a day of chaos in the legislature



More notes on the Legislature can be found from our archive page, as well as from our Victoria Viewpoints archive.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

AltaGas opening makes for Legislature notes for MLA Rice

Jennifer Rice made note of the opening of the AltaGas
Terminal at Ridley Island this week for the Legislature

With the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal now in full operation and having already sent its first shipment of propane to Asia last week, North Coast MLA took some time this week to highlight the Grand Opening this week and some of the benefits that the project has delivered to the region.

In her comments, Ms. Rice celebrated the new focus for the Prince Rupert area that the half billion dollar project will bring, as well as the 40 permanent jobs that have been created from the new facility and how it allows North Coast residents to remain in their hometown and find good paying jobs.

AltaGas has been a good partner to work with, contributing about $400,000 in taxes to the city of Prince Rupert last year. They respect our values and local Indigenous communities by treating First Nations as true partners. 

Congratulations to the construction crew, staff and management on the grand opening of the AltaGas Ridley Island propane terminal. 

 The completion of this project reflects the economic progress being made in our region, and ultimately, brings good-paying, family-supporting jobs to Prince Rupert and area.

Ms. Rice shared her review of the news from the North Coast with the Legislature on Thursday morning and has posted a range of photos related to the Grand opening to her Facebook page.




You can learn more about the newest terminal on the North Coast from our archive page here.


Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Add water supply delivery to the growing list of irritants between Port Edward, Prince Rupert

Port Edward may turn off the water taps to
Watson Island as part of their response to recent
moves from Prince Rupert

The ongoing feud between the City of Prince Rupert and District of Port Edward added another chapter this week.

That with word of the District serving notice on the City that water service to the Watson Island Intermodal Trade and Logistics Park may be turned off unless an agreement on mutual aid is reached.

A report from the Northern View yesterday indicated the scope of the latest in a growing list of issues between the two communities which have been at loggerheads for a number of years now, with the cause of the aggravation related to attempts by the City of Prince Rupert re-open and revise the Ridley Island Tax Agreement.

The mutual aid agreement, which would ensure Fire protection services for each community in a time of emergency was suspended earlier this year, when Prince Rupert stated that the District had not responded to a request for a written request.

The suspension of the agreement, was then followed by a request by the City of Prince Rupert to the Provincial government for the de-incorporation of the District or forced amalgamation, something which as we noted last week was a request that has not gained much of the way of traction from the Horgan government in Victoria.

From the recent moves out of the District, it would seem that they won't be easily intimidated by the moves of their larger neighbour and would seem to have a few cards of their own to make use of.

The options for Prince Rupert would seem somewhat limited when it comes to the delivery of water services to the Watson Island site, which will soon see camp activity ramping up significantly as the work on the Pembina LPG project gets started.

The city can either agree to meet with the District on themes of mutual aid, or begin the process of building their own water infrastructure and tie it into the city's own water supply.

Though one would imagine that would be a fairly expensive project and one that would require some kind of interim plan for water service while such a pipeline was constructed if required.

Mayor Brain and City Council members have remained rather silent of late on the range of issues between the two communities and the growing animosity that has evolved, a significant change from the full out social media bombast that marked the flare up of tensions during the October election campaign.

Since that time the Mayor has not provided residents of Prince Rupert with any form of an update on the nature of the dispute between the two sides, nor what steps the city has taken when it comes to addressing the ongoing issues between the two communities.

A look back at some of the recent notes out of both the District of Port Edward and City of Prince Rupert can be found from our archive pages below:

District of Port Edward Discussion points
Discussion points from Prince Rupert City Council

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Jennifer Rice offers chance for Premier Horgan to highlight infrastructure, internet and cel phone initiatives for Haida Gwaii and North Coast

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice provided a chance Thursday for Premier Horgan
to recount some recent spending by the government in the Northwest

The questions for the most part were that of something from T ball, where MLA Jennifer Rice among many NDP MLA's on the day,  would walk over to the Tee, place the ball atop and stand back ...  providing a few chances for Premier John Horgan to take a few swings for batting practice.

First on themes of investment in infrastructure across the Northwest, where the premier delivered a roll call of communities and shout outs for Mayors including that of Prince Rupert's Lee Brain.

I thank the member for her questions. I know that in a ferry-dependent community like the north coast, those are the areas that are particularly important to her. We have an additional 2,700 round trips to be provided through ten routes. Port Hardy, mid coast Prince Rupert, and of course, Haida Gwaii to Prince Rupert as well — these are critical to her community. 

Reinvesting and re-establishing routes that had been terminated by the previous government was vital to that. Rural connectivity. 

When it comes to broadband, 440 communities, 70 of which are Indigenous, have been connected since we started the initiative two years ago. We've been connecting the coast and First Nations through a whole range of other initiatives, whether it be through investments in education, investments in child care, telehealth and so on. 

 But the biggest investment, I think, that the member would be aware of — and the impact on Prince Rupert — was the $100 million infrastructure grant for the northwest or for communities right across the north of British Columbia. Prince Rupert, Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers, Burns Lake, Mackenzie, all the way through to Valemount, got access to this $100 million grant.

I think of mayor Lee Brain in Prince Rupert, talking — as you have, Member — since we first met, about the wooden pipes in Prince Rupert. It's high time that infrastructure investments were made in rural communities. We've provided the resources so that those infrastructure investments can be made.

Another invitation to offer comment, provided a chance for Mr. Horgan to deliver the NDP government's newest talking points on cel phone and internet service plans for Haida Gwaii and other coastal areas.

Ms. Rice brought some of the waning moments of Thursday Legislature session to a close with some thoughts towards that topic and another invitation to share some notes from the Premier.

Access to reliable Internet and cell phone service is a modern-day piece of infrastructure that is often taken for granted. Yet, coastal B.C. and many northern and rural, remote First Nations communities lack this access. Can the Premier explain what this government is doing to improve Internet and cell phone infrastructure for rural, remote and First Nations communities in B.C.?

The Premier delivered some observations and shout outs for
issues of the North Coast on the final day of the spring session on Thursday

In reply, Mr. Horgan took advantage of the speaking time to reflect on some of the work the government has already moved forward in the way of the Connected Coast Fibre Link project between Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert.

I thank the member for the question. I talked earlier about the connectivity issues that we've been working on, but specifically, when it comes to Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert, we've been making great strides connecting these communities around the coast and looping that back to exchange with Vancouver. That means that we can keep people in their communities, and they can still access the services that they need, whether it's health care, education, emergency preparedness or preparing for the jobs of the future.

He also made the most of the invitation to comment by reflecting on how the province has moved to protect Indigenous languages across BC.

I've got a comment here from a Haida elder. Of course, you will know that Haida Gwaii is one of the most spectacular places on the planet. It's a jewel of the north coast. Now Haida elders can see their children staying in communities because they're connected by Internet services. Broadband opens up the world to people who have oftentimes felt isolated and alone. 

That has a profound impact on how people look at themselves, look at their culture and look at their community. I mentioned Port Renfrew, on the far end of my constituency, which is at the end of the highway, although there's now a loop through a logging road infrastructure. It was at the end of the road. Get a little bit of rain there, as well, so keeping a positive disposition in November, December and January is sometimes difficult. I know the member for North Coast sees a little bit of rain in her community as well, so being able to access the world through broadband allows all of us to be global citizens. So the notion of being isolated and alone in small rural remote communities, as important as that is to the families and the communities that exist there 

Being able to connect to the rest of the world is so fundamental to who we will be in the future. I think British Columbia has been leading the way, making sure that, as our contribution to Canada, we're connecting all of the disparate groups so they can keep contact with each other. That will also help with protecting and preserving Indigenous languages. 

I know the member has just a plethora of Indigenous communities in her constituency, and protecting Indigenous language is fundamental to culture. 

We oftentimes hear the Quebec question, the two-language question in Canada. I think now, as we look at going into the 2020s, we're no longer talking about two languages in Canada. We're talking about dozens and dozens — in fact, hundreds of languages in Canada. That is, I think, transformative. 

We'll be able to achieve so much, because we can contact people inside communities and, in fact, across the country and across the globe so that we can preserve and record the languages that kept British Columbia moving for millennia. These are powerful investments that don't often make it onto the front pages of the newspapers. 

We invested $50 million in Indigenous languages in our first budget — unprecedented investment. We did so because the keepers of those languages, the elders in communities across B.C., are sadly passing on, and with them goes the language, the knowledge of the culture, and we need to preserve that. Investing in languages is one of the most important things we can do to preserve and maintain the cultures that are so distinct here in British Columbia and particularly in the member's community.

You can explore the Premier's review of the impact of better communication services from the Legislature record here at 16:10PM.

As well as from the House Video for Thursday afternoon starting at the 4:10PM mark.

The Connected Coast project is a partnership between CityWest and the Stratchona Regional District on Vancouver Island, and was first detailed full in 2018.

You can learn more about it here.

The current status for the project has the Stratchona Regional District scheduling a number of consultation sessions to  outline the nature of the project and to hear from residents in that area.

For some background on the CityWest involvement with the Sub Sea Fibre Link see some of our past items below:

August 1, 2018 -- CityWest partner, Stratchona Regional District to put Connected Coast Broadband plans to Alernate Approval process
May 4, 2018 -- CityWest and Strathcona Regional District launch online home for Sub Sea Communication project
March 1, 2018 -- MLA touts CityWest's contribution to Coastal communication links
February 14, 2018 -- Sub Sea Fibre project gets shout out from BC Speech from the Throne
January 18, 2018  -- CityWest outlines the blue print for subsea fibre plans

January 17, 2018 -- CityWest to receive share of Federal/Provincial funding for improved internet services

August 2017 -- CityWest awaits federal funding decision on subsea fibre plans

For more notes related to the work of MLA Rice at the Legislature see our archive page here, a wider overview of Provincial issues can be found as part of our Victoria Viewpoints archive.

Province approach towards reconciliation, pipeline blockades among questions for Premier from MLA Ellis Ross

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross spoke to a number of Northwest issues
in the final day of the spring session Thursday

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross had opportunity to take a range of topics to the Premier on the final day of the Spring session Thursday, framing much of his early commentary on the issues related to the natural gas pipeline through the territory of the Wet'suwet'en and the appointment of soon to be retiring Member of Parliament Murray Rankin, as the provincial government's emissary when it comes to provincial engagement in the area.

The process under Murray Rankin. Is that absolutely separate from the blockade issue? Or is it a parallel issue? Or is it a related issue? I understand that you want to create the relationship. I understand the issue around reconciliation and then the Delgamuukw case.

But my concern is the initial process that took over 15 years to accomplish with a law-abiding company that actually achieved all of its certificates, all of its permits and actually carried out the principles of case law, as far as I could tell, to a T. 

That's how we got unanimous consent from all of the band councils — elected band leaders from Prince George to Kitimat and even further down the channel. 

 I'm trying to understand the process that Murray Rankin is actually leading as your emissary. 

What is the objective in relation to the pipeline blockade, if any?

In reply to the line of questions, the Premier noted how engagement continued with both the province and Federal government on addressing the issues in the area.

Again, I thank the member for his questions. They come from a place of deep understanding, and I appreciate that. I acknowledge that, dealing with what has been re-emerging as the long-standing traditional decision-making and governance processes within Indigenous communities, particularly the Wet'suwet'en. 

At the same time, two orders of government, the federal and provincial governments, are working on addressing reconciliation in a genuine way, addressing rights and title as defined by Delgamuukw and also living under the Indian Act band council model. It's not an easy thing, and the member knows this, because he's experienced it firsthand. 

Mr. Ross also offered up some of his own thoughts on reconciliation and asked to what actions the province may take when it comes to ongoing concerns over a blockade of the Coastal Gas Link project,

Reconciliation. I have a different term of reconciliation than most. I'm trying to close the gap in terms of standard of living. This is the very first opportunity in the history of Canada that we've been able to do this, ever since the fur trading days. So this is absolutely critical that we get this right. I understand the sensitivities. 

But I also understand the principle of case law. It got us to this place in the first place. Now, the government is in a pretty awkward, sensitive situation, so I'll take that answer as no, this process under Murray Rankin has got has nothing to do with the blockade. I understand that the objective is mainly towards relationship-building and talking about Delgamuukw, in whatever form that might be.  

Is it my understanding that, then, the Crown will not take any part in resolving the pipeline blockade and actually just leave that up to the company in question, CGL, well as the injunction?

For his part, the Premier noted that at this time, he saw no need for the province to take action at this time.

What we've been trying to do is do more than one thing at a time. We believe that the industrial activity that we all want to see that will flow from the CGL work and culminate with the creation of LNG Canada in Kitimat can and will be achieved in short order. It's happening right now. 

I have no information that shows me that there's any challenges for CGL right now. It's a sensitive question. The member knows that. There will be points of conflict going forward, and we'll address those as they emerge. But as it stands right now, the injunction is being respected.

Beyond the focus on the specific issues related to the Coastal Gas Link pipeline and LNG Canada project for Kitimat, the Premier addressed a wider theme of Indigenous negotiations, a topic that Mr. Ross further explored during his time on Thursday.

Whatever decision the Crown comes to around title, if you choose to go down a road, it would have to be applied to 203 bands in B.C. This will be a precedent, because title has never been decided upon by the Crown. It's always been decided upon through treaty negotiations or through the courts.

Apart from that, it's always a vague conversation around development on territories where rights and title may be infringed. I understand that it's a complicated subject. A lot of people don't understand the concept of title. Many lawyers don't understand it, so I don't expect political leaders, as well as governmental staff, to truly understand what it means.

I've always settled for the idea to go to court to figure it out in the manner of Tsilhqot'in, for example, because I don't understand how it could play out unless the government is deciding to go down a road of discussion of title.

It's unfair for the First Nations to be put in a position where they have to defend the conversations they're having with government when the ink is dry. It's very unfair to put them in that position. And it's very unfair for non–First Nations not to understand what's happening with the land base or the fish and the animals and whatnot. 

 In fact, one of the principles of case law….. I will reiterate what your Attorney General said: that they will view rights and title through the lens of section 35 and the pursuant case law. Now, in terms of everything that I've heard from your ministers, that is the one statement I do agree with. 

It actually provides a way out for the Crown as well as the First Nations. So I just want to know: what will be the process to keep the non–First Nations apprised of what's going on with the talks around the land and the animals and the rights and title associated with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs?

As a point of reference for the House Mr. Horgan highlighted how each Indigenous community has different aspirations when it comes to negotiations and  how they choose to engage with the government.

The member put a lot of stuff on the table. Firstly, with respect to Tsilhqot'in, title exists. There's a map. It exists. That has not led to a rush to the Supreme Court to determine maps in other parts of the province. The member knows Indigenous communities are not homogenous, even within territories. Challenges between the Nisga'a and the Lax Kw'alaams and the Metlakatla and, here in my territory, the Nuu-chah-nulth and the Coast Salish — this has been here predating the Indian Act. These challenges have existed for millennia.

The Premier also made note of past efforts to resolve rights and title by Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell and the lessons the NDP government learned from those days as they look to find what Mr. Horgan described as the way forward.

The former Premier, Premier Campbell, made a concerted effort to resolve some rights and title issues in one fell swoop. That was met with resistance from nations right around the province, so we learned a lesson from that as well. And I believe the course we are on now is a result of failed and successful exercises over many decades of Indigenous, non-Indigenous relationships with respect to the land, Crown-to-nation discussions, two orders of government — federal-provincial — as well as a multitude of nations throughout British Columbia. Hard work, and work that needs to be done — progress being made when leadership steps up in non-Indigenous and Indigenous communities and finds a way forward. 

 He made reference to the caribou question. I had a good exchange with the member for Peace River South in estimates. We talked about this, in some detail, in his community, as well as before I got there. It is difficult to put, in that case, West Moberly in soto in the position of having to defend their rights to talk to government about issues that are relevant in their territory. 

But negotiating in public is also very difficult, so we have to find a way to ensure that all members of the community are included in the discussion so that we don't have that tension and acrimony between Indigenous and non-Indigenous. 

 We're doing our level best to try and find that way forward. It will be difficult. There will be points of friction within communities and outside of communities. But we want to do our level best to reduce that and make sure that everyone can realize their full potential on territories, in the case of Indigenous people that have been there for millennia, and also for those newcomers to British Columbia, who have been here for generations or even just for days. That's the nature of our dynamic community, and I'm very excited about the prospects going forward. I know that you are as well.

The full exchange between the Skeena MLA and the Premier is well worth a review as it provides a fair amount of background on the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation and negotiation across the Northwest.

You can review  the discussion from the minutes of the Thursday session here, starting at the  14:50 minute mark.

The video presentation of the House proceedings can be found here, with Mr. Ross's contributions and the Premier's replies again starting at the 2:52 point.

For more items of interest related to the work of Mr. Ross at the Legislature see our archive page here, a wider overview of Provincial issues can be found as part of our Victoria Viewpoints archive here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday, May 30, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Thursday, May 30, 2019



Globe and Mail 

BC Speaker sparks uproar in legislature as he copies hard drives of acting top officers for another probe
Fraser Valley, BC group protesting Surrey-Langley Sky Train line as 'biggest waste of money'
Tentative labour deal averts BC port disruptions
Investigation ordered into Vancouver police conduct during anti-pipeline protest
Money-laundering watchdog to share information with securities regulator


CBC

BC museum returns Indigenous poles in spirit of repatriation
BC premier rejects calls to dump legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas
Roadside jam stand in Saanich forced to pack up
BC names new human rights commissioner - the first in 17 years
BC regulator accuses unregistered 'shadow' mortgage broker in half billion dollar case
Alberta government targets Horgan, high gas prices in new pro-pipeline ad campaign
New legislation to allow BC tenants to terminate leases in case of 'household violence'


Vancouver Sun

With house adjourned, who is watching Inspector Plecas?
More than 120 recommendations delivered to tackle money laundering in BC, Canada
Vancouver port workers, association reach agreement
Speaker Darryl Plecas survives a day of chaos in the Legislature
BC tenants able to terminate lease in event of sexual assault
Alberta launches last-minute $1 million Trans Mountain promotion in Vancouver
Opposition Liberals send Minister Jinny Sims allegations to RCMP


Vancouver Province

Like a bull in a china shop, Speaker Plecas can't be controlled


Victoria Times Colonist

BC Liberals try to oust Plecas as Speaker citing 'witch hunt,' but Premier backs him 
Toronto developer plans to remake two blocks of downtown Victoria
Queen Elizabeth at Ogden Point: ship echoes ocean crossing liners of yesterday
Provincial involvement in municipal affairs is a good sign
First Nations pipeline play conflicts NDP


Victoria News

A Toronto developer looks to develop two blocks in downtown Victoria
Horgan rejects offer to replace BC legislature speaker Darryl Plecas
BC forests ministry tracks Douglas fire beetle outbreak


Global BC

BC Liberals raise 'grave concerns' over Speaker's actions in cloning hard drives of senior legislature staff
Accused takes surprise turn on the stand in trial for slain BC police officer
Playgrounds need more sand and less rubber, argues UBC researcher
Environment Canada stats confirm lack of rain in BC this spring
Watchdog to probe VPD officer who allegedly shoved anti-pipeline protester
BC minimum wage to climb by $1.20 an hour Saturday, will hit $15.20 by 2021


Vancouver Courier

$511 million in mortgages set up by unregistered Vancouver broker who cooked books: FICOM
Investigation ordered into conduct of Vancouver police officer at pipeline protest
City of North Van moves SeaBus drop-off zone
This is how much BC's minimum wage is going up June 1
Entire top-floor penthouse of Coal Harbour tower listed at $15.5M
BC port employers, union reach tentative agreement


Georgia Straight

Port of Vancouver lockout lifted after longshore workers and BC Maritime Employers Association reach tentative deal
MLAs approve motion  to appoint Kasari Govender as BC's new human rights commissioner
Five compete for vacant seat of director for Metro Vancouver's Electoral Area A

The Tyee

The anguish of naming (and renaming) Vancouver's Streets and Places


Miscellaneous

Ottawa Observations: Thursday, May 30, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday, May 30, 2019 


Vice-President Pence visits Ottawa

Pence urges Trudeau to ban Huawei from Canadian 5G networks
Trudeau raises concerns with Pence over new state abortion laws in U.S.
For Trudeau, raising U.S. abortion bans with Pence is a tactic to bring the issue back home
Trudeau urges U.S. Democrats in Congress to pass new NAFTA
Pence protests China's detention of Canadians and pledges to 'stand with' Canada
Trudeau plays politics with abortion issue
Canada has a China problen. Enter Mike Pence
Desperate Trudeau antagonizes Mike Pence over abortion to score political points
Trudeau takes aim at Tories over new NAFTA, also raises abortion with Pence


Trade Tariffs lifted between Canada, U.S. and Mexico

Trump imposing tariffs on Mexico in response to migrants
Trump plows ahead with USMCA approval plan as Democrats waver
Trump vows 5% tariff on all goods from Mexico in bid to stop migrants


Canadians held in China / China tensions

Oliphant 'personally disappointed' N.S. premier didn't mention Canadians detained in China
Canada, U.K. issue statement over Hong Kong extradition changes amid China tensions
Canada, U.K. worry about citizens as Hong Kong offers China new extradition powers


Globe and Mail 

Jody Wilson-Raybould's riding association members quit Liberals to work for her campaign as an Independent
Rogers vice-chairman reportedly calls for banning Huawei from Canada's 5G network
The Canadian Armed Forces ignore extremism in their ranks at their peril - and ours, too
Critics question Canadian defence industrial benefits policy

Unifor's position puts journalism in a conflict of interest
Senate suspends sole-source contract with private security firm
Ottawa alerts Irving Shipbuilding over reporters' queries about contract
Ashley Smith's family furious with Trudeau over solitary-confinement bill
'Pay attention': Bank of Canada's Wilkins warns rare yield-curve inversion could signal recession


CBC

Committee erupts after Tory MP tells Muslim witness he 'should be ashamed'
CRA signs secret settlement with wealthy KPMG clients involved in offshore tax scheme
The Senate has spent $66K on 'ushers' to hold doors open in its inaccessible building
Singh gives sneak peek at NDP's climate pitch for fall election
Federal government quietly offered a settlement to halt lawsuits over immigration program
'I wish they hadn't': Qualtrough says she'll speak to Irving about threats to sue media
Is Canadian government cash helping to back El Salvador's harsh abortion law?
Alberta carbon tax ended, though repeal bill hasn't yet passed
Canadian garbage on its way from Philippines to Vancouver
Senate committee approves changes to solitary confinement bill
On immigration, Scheer is trying to please two different audiences at once


Toronto Star

White nationalists, hate groups continue to evade Facebook ban
Indigenous affairs committee votes to scrap Harper-era reforms to northern development regulator
Kenney cancels carbon tax repeal celebration due to ominous wildfire smoke
Scheer's big policy reveals are a lot like Trudeau's


Toronto Sun

--


Maclean's

Why the Liberals can't stop talking about abortion


National Post

Federal military procurement program could result in more french fry plants instead of high-tech defence jobs
Senators amend justice bill to include harsher sentences for domestic violence against Indigenous women
Conservative promise to remove GST from heating bills to cost $1.5B per year, save households $117 annually, report says


Global

Ashley Smith died in solitary confinement. Her family is 'furious' over the new segregation bill
Feds look to clamp down on guns 'designed to hunt people
Reality check: Scheer wants Canada to be 'energy independent.' Is this possible?


Miscellaneous

Investigate now, or robocalls will strike Canada's elections again

As short lived lockout ends, trade flows again through Fairview Terminal

Container Trucks lined up outside of the Scott Road gate
shortly after 11:30 this morning

The hum of machinery makes for the sound of business on the Prince Rupert waterfront and container trucks continue to roll through the downtown core,.

That after a short lived lockout by the British Columbia Marine Employers Association came to an end by mid-morning, with all night bargaining delivering a tentative deal between the BCMEA and ILWU members up and down the coast of British Columbia.

Locally Prince Rupert workers reported for work for the 8AM shift at Fairvew as normal and by late  morning Container trucks were lined up outside the Scott Road Gate waiting for their entry as word of the lifting of the lockout spread.

The giant cranes that lift containers on and off the vessels began to ramp up their efforts significantly by about mid afternoon when the noise from the waterfront indicated that operations were well underway to work the Gerda Maersk which is scheduled to depart Prince Rupert later today.

The notice of success at the bargaining table came through a range of methods including social media, with the ILWU noting that no terms of the tentative deal will be released until the tentative agreement is voted on by ILWU members.

Patty Hajdu, the Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour also issued a statement related to today's announcement saof labour peace on the BC waterfront, noting the involvement of mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Should the deal be ratified by union workers, indications from Vancouver where the negotiations took  place suggest that the deal will signify a positive long-term outlook for operations at the BCMEA operated terminals.

May 30 -- Port of Vancouver lockout lifted after longshore workers and BC Maritime Employers Association read tentative deal 
May 30 -- Vancouver port workers, association reach agreement
May 30 -- BC Port employers, union reach tentative agreement
May 30 -- Tentative 'give and take' agreement re-opens BC ports
May 30 -- Lockout ends for 6,500 port workers after tentative deal reached
May 30 -- Tentative deal reached to end BC Port lockout

For more notes related to the labour dispute see our archive page here, a wider overview of Port related news can be found from our Port of Prince Rupert Archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Legislature's Police Complaint Committee seeking public feedback on complaint process

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross is one of five members of BC Legislature committee
currently exploring potential changes to the Province's Police complaint process

A Legislature committee that has been created to study issues of the Police complaint process in the province is in the midst of a public consultation period, with residents of British Columbia offered the opportunity to share their thoughts until June 28th.

As we outlined on the blog in February, the committee includes Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, with their work now reaching the public consultation phase. 

The members will be looking for feedback on how the current process works and what improvements need to be made to improve it.

To participate in the current consultation process see the consultation page here and follow the instructions that are listed.

The committee most recently held discussions on May 21st, for more background on the work that they have done so far as well as the consultation period currently underway, see the Committee website here.

For more items of note related to the Skeena MLA's work in Victoria see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.