Saturday, July 25, 2020

MLA's Week: July 20-24, 2020

The summer session for the BC Legislature continued on towards the end of July, with MLA's continuing to participate in a mix of in House and remote options.

The now five day work week continues to feature House activities Monday to Wednesday, with Committee work taking up the load on Thursday and Fridays.

This week found Skeena MLA Ellis Ross participating  through video link as part of the House functions, as well those of committee.

North Coast Jennifer Rice, continued her work from Prince Rupert, participating by remote video connection as well.

Outside of the Legislature work, the concerns over COVID reached a little closer to the Northwest this week, with a community outbreak noted by Northern Health for Haida Gwaii.

Community outbreak of 13 cases of COVID-19 recorded on Haida Gwaii

The Premier also raised a few eyes this week, with comments related to the timeline ahead for the next election in British Columbia.

Premier's comments put opposition parties on alert for any surprise election calls

As for more on the week or work from the House, the five days unfolded as follows:

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On the week, Ms Rice was listed once in the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from July 20-24

In Statements as part of the Wednesday afternoon session, Ms. Rice provided the Legilsature with a look at the work of Brendan Eshom, the CHSS graduate who has created an app to help with the learning of the Sm'algyax language.

MLA Rice shares some Sm'algyax salutations for the Legislature and word of Brendan Eshom's newest language project

Through her Social Media stream this week, the North Coast MLA also made note of some funding for Ground Search and Rescue organizations across the province.

Provincial funding announced to support Ground Search and Rescue volunteers

Ms. Rice also used her Social media feed to celebrate her third year as Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency preparedness

MLA Rice marks third year of NDP government with update on recent work of the Legislature

The North Coast MLA is also a permanent member of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, serving as the convener of that forum.

Transcripts of the work of the committee are available on the Legislature page for the Committee.

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs


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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross  was mentioned twice in the record for  Legislature from July 20-24

The first notes for Mr. Ross on the week were part of his work on Tuesday where he reviewed the importance of training opportunities for youth, First Nations members and all residents of the region.

Skeena MLA points to training as key element from resource development for Northern BC communities

The Skeena MLA also participated in a Committee session related to Health estimates on Friday, making a number of enquiries of Health Minister Adrian Dix on issues related to the suspension of overnight flights at Terrace airport, as well as to seek out a progress report on the work on the Mills Memorial hospital project.

Overnight closures at Terrace airport, progress for Mills Memorial Hospital among questions from Skeena MLA Ross at committee session

Also of note this week for the Skeena riding, was the official conclusion of work on the Highway 16 roundabout project in Terrace.

Federal, provincial and municipal governments celebrate completion of Terrace Roud-a-bout

Mr. Ross is also a permanent member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives.

He has also been appointed to the Standing Committee on Children and Youth
and as noted above, he has been appointed to the newly created Committee to study the Police Act.

The Skeena MLA is also a member of the Special Committee for Review of the Police complaint process, you can follow their work here.

There is more background on both the North Coast and Skeena MLA's available from our MLA's Week Archive, as well as our constituency archives below:

North Coast constituency

Skeena and Stikine constituency

The full schedule for the Legislature for 2020  can be viewed here.

A larger overview of provincial issues can be found on our political portal D'Arcy McGee 

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

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