Saturday, February 18, 2023

MLA's Week: February 13-17, 2023




The Legislature week which ended Thursday, just the second week of gatherings of the new session, was a bit of a rancorous one.

With the Opposition Liberals pushing back on a range of the NDP's initiatives and legislation.

Though as the week debate ran out, some questions were being raised both by the opposition and in the media as to whether the government side had been fully prepared for its work in the week long sessions.

The Opposition Liberals found themselves in the spotlight as well, that as a former MLA John Rustad, who had been removed from the caucus by leader Kevin Falcon last summer, formally announced he was joining the BC Conservative Party and would sit as its first member.


While not debate in the Legislature, the government made a string of announcements that provided funding, or hailed news of note for northwest communities included on the week were:



For the Northwest MLA's the schedule was a mixed one, with the Skeena MLA in opposition  the one in the region making for the most  participation in the debate or discussion of the Legislature

As for more on the recent week of work from the House, the four days unfolded as follows:

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On the week, Ms Rice was mentioned twice  in the record for the week in the  Legislature from February 13-17.

That came as he MLA also delivered a Valentine's Day statement on Tuesday morning, recounting for the Chamber the occasion of her first meeting with her now spouse  ( 10:10 AM )

On Wednesday Ms. Rice provided some thoughts on her recent appointment as the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health


Outside of the Legislature chamber, the MLA also shared word of some provincial funding for the City of Prince Rupert's Active Transportation planning.


The journey of the Nuxalk Nation Hotel Pole from Victoria back to its home territory also made for an update during the week from Ms. Rice



The North Coast MLA is also a member of the Following committees:




Ms. Rice serves as the Government's Parliamentary Secretary for Rural health.


The North Coast MLA also addressed a range of themes and relayed  a number of government announcements through her Social Media Stream.

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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross  was mentioned five times in the record for the week in the Legislature from February 13-17.

The busiest of the Northwest MLA's in the house was Skeena's Ellis Ross, who began his week on Monday afternoon with a note on the All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert and a mention of his anniversary (1:45 PM )

On Monday afternoon, the Liberal MLA was speaking to a controversial Hospital construction project in the Duncan area of Vancouver Island ( 2:25 PM )

Tuesday had the Opposition party putting some focus on crime and violence in the province with Mr. Ross one of the lead MLA's for the Liberals with questions for the government side of the House.


Thursday the Skeena MLA did double duty towards holding the NDP government to account.  

In the morning session he raised questions related to renovations of the Royal BC Museum, while in the afternoon session he highlighted the government's use of the Truth and Reconciliation Day declaration towards a fillibuster attempt to dominate the final day of debate for the week.


By the end of the week, the Skeena MLA found himself the subject of some speculation in Victoria as to where his political future may be heading, that following a short commentary with a Global BC reporter launched a few thoughts of a possible shift in allegiance for Mr. Ross. 

A topic of speculation which he had been able to tamp down by the time Friday evening rolled around.


Mr. Ross serves as the Liberal critic on LNG and Energy

The Skeena MLA is also a member of the Following committees:



The Skeena MLA also addressed a range of themes  featured as part of the MLA's social media work.


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For our readers from the Bulkley Valley area, Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen  was mentioned twice  in the record for the week in the  Legislature from February 13-17.

Mr. Cullen's time in the Legislature was split over two days, he began his commentary in praise of the Speech from the Throne late in the evening on Tuesday, returning to the theme in the Wednesday afternoon session.



Mr. Cullen serves as the Government's Minister of Municipal Affairs

The Stikine MLA also had comments on a range of themes through his Social Media stream this week

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There is more background on all three Regional MLA's available from our MLA's Week Archive, as well as our constituency archives below. 






The MLA's return to their duties on Tuesday, February 21.

MLA's also participate in a number of Committee sessions scheduled through the week.

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




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