In Legislature debate, MLA Rice dismisses Liberal's comments on lack of government consultation

MLA Coralee Oakes spoke to her concerns when it comes
to a lack of consultation by the BC government
on a number of issues

The topic of government consultation with British Columbians  made for the current of debate for North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice at Monday's return of the Legislature after a two week break, with Ms. Rice taking issue with a private members motion introduced by Liberal MLA Coralee Oakes.

The Cariboo MLA spoke to the topic in the morning session of the Legislature, raising a number of concerns over what she called the arbitrary measures being taken by government that are based on ideology and will only encourage more and more companies to leave British Columbia.

Calling attention to some of the recent events in her own Cariboo constituency, Ms Oakes called for more consideration of the impact of government actions on those communities

"Communities like Quesnel are forest-dependent. Up to 70 percent of our businesses are directly or indirectly impacted by a weakening forest economy. Affordability in my region means having a job. If the government were open to advice and meaningful consultations, communities like mine would not feel ambushed by ideologically driven policies and legislation. People expect more from government."

"This motion is interesting in that it suggests government is not supporting meaningful consultation and public engagement with British Columbians. I have to ask which way the B.C. Liberals want it. They're always complaining that we consult too much, and now they're complaining that we're not consulting enough. I think some care should be taken here, in that the pot is not calling the kettle black." -- North Coast MLA in response to a private members motion from Liberal MLA Coralee Oakes

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice provided one of a number of NDP rebuttals
to a private members motion from Liberal MLA Coralee Oakes

For her part Ms. Rice followed similar themes as those that were offered previous by NDP members in response to the motion, with the North Coast MLA  rattling off a number of areas where she stated the Liberals ignored the need for consultation, particularly towards small and rural communities which she stated were missing out on infrastructure funding.

Ms. Rice also reviewed how she viewed some of the history of the most recent Liberal government and how she believes they missed opportunities for engagement.

They ignored the affordable housing crisis, leaving communities to deal with the effects of rising homelessness and tent cities. They ignored calls for acceptable, affordable child care. They ignored people asking for help to make their lives more affordable, doubling MSP premiums, barely increasing the minimum wage and freezing income assistance rates for ten years. 

They refused to recognize the existence of First Nations inherent rights, and instead systematically fought them in court, despite repeated losses. Instead of listening to us in the northwest and respecting our values of protecting our coast and standing up for wild salmon, they rammed unwanted pipelines down our throats, and Christy Clark called people a "ragtag group of people" for disagreeing with her.

In addition to the recitation of what amounts to the Sins of the Liberals, the NDP MLA provided some examples as to how she believes the NDP government has listened to the public since taking office.

With Ms. Rice pointing towards such areas as affordable housing and homelessness, MSP and Child care issues and municipal infrastructure. 

On the housing notes, the North Coast MLA called attention to some recent additions to the housing options in Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and Lax Kw'alaams.

We listened when communities asked for support to tackle the homelessness crisis, with the creation of the rapid response to homelessness program. In Prince Rupert, 36 homeless people are off the streets and are tenants at the Crow's Nest Lodge, where they receive wraparound supports 24 hours, seven days a week. The village of Queen Charlotte will soon open up 19 homes like these, plus four more homes from our community housing fund. 

 From our first-of-its-kind Indigenous housing fund, Lax Kw'alaams First Nation will see 60 homes built off reserve in Prince Rupert for their members and 20 homes on reserve in Lax Kw'alaams. Skidegate will see 24 homes built on reserve, and the Heiltsuk will see six homes built in Bella Bella. We are the first province in Canada to build housing on reserve. We are doing so because we are listening to British Columbia's First Peoples and the dire call for housing in this province.

Ms. Rice also made note of the NDP government's ongoing work on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples as areas where the current government differs from the previous.

You can review the full statement to the Legislature from the Hansard minutes of the Monday morning session available here.

The entire debate is worth a review as it makes for an interesting study on how both sides stick to their respective talking points to frame the debate, Ms. Oakes introduces her motion at 11:05, Ms. Rice's comments come thirty five minutes later at 11:40 AM.

You can also view the Morning session from the Legislature video archive here.

For more items of interest related to the British Columbia Legislature see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.