MLA's Week: August 10-14, 2020

MLA's returned to their duties following their week long BC Day break to put the wraps on the summer session, with five final days of work, whether in person at the Legislature or from remote locations across the province.

For the Northwest MLA's the week was spent in Victoria, with both MLA Jennifer Rice and MLA Ellis Ross engaged in a both legislature sessions and in the case of Mr. Ross committee work.

As the province continues on with its work on the COVID fight, the upcoming return to school made for some of the debate in the Legislature with Education Minister Rob Fleming in the spotlight and at times the hot seat.

Teachers first, students later: British Columbia Government looking at staggered start to 2020 school year

Students to get two extra days of summer vacation, as Province revises back to school plans

While the current Class of 2020's elected officials returned to their work, we also learned about a new venture for a former member of the Legislature.

This week, word of a new member for the Board of a BC based LNG company was announced, with former Premier Christy Clark now part of the group looking to build a floating LNG terminal in Alaskan waters north of Lax Kw'alaams

AlaskCan LNG adds Christy Clark to the Board of Directors for proposed Alaskan LNG shipment terminal north of Lax Kw'alaams

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 four times in the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from August 10 -14

In Statements as part of the Monday afternoon session, Ms. Rice shared on some of the success of Coastal Shellfish in Prince Rupert.

Coastal Shellfish plans get a Legislature shout out

Monday also saw Ms. Rice speak to an NDP members private motion towards an equitable economy for all

A call for an equitable economy for all makes for the talking points for MLA Rice in Monday session

Wednesday, the North Coast MLA paid tribute to Mary Wesley, who recently retired from her duties with Northern Health in Prince Rupert.

Retirement of Northern Health's Mary Wesley receives tribute from MLA Rice in Legislature

Thursday Ms. Rice made a special introduction to the Legislature, with her son Luá Alan making his second appearance at the Legislature walking or crawling as it was along the Red Carpet of the Chamber.

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  August 10 -14

The Skeena MLA participated in a Monday morning Committee session related to work on reform of the Police Act, asking questions of the Commander of the RCMP in British Columbia Brenda Butterworth-Carr 

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross explores gaps in policing as part of ongoing committee work on Reforms to the Police Act

Mr. Ross also spoke the theme of energy during the Regular Monday morning session

Energy opportunities for British Columbia the theme for Skeena MLA Ross in Monday statements

The Skeena MLA 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 summer session came to an end on Friday afternoon, that following a day long debate between Premier John Horgan and Liberal Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson, the two politicians exploring a range of themes.

While the opinions of political observers are mixed on the prospect of a potential fall election, the Friday afternoon discussions did seem to set the agenda for an election campaign should one be called.

For now, the Legislature is adjourned for the summer and probably into the fall, with the return to the chamber to come when, or if a decision for a fall sessions is announced.

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

A larger overview of provincial issues can be found on our Victoria Viewpoints feature 

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.