Saturday, March 3, 2018

MLA's Week: February 26 to March 1, 2018

This was a busy week for the MLA for the North Coast, as Jennifer Rice rose a number of times in the Chamber to deliver a variety of statements or presentations on a range of topics.

From a Budget review, to comments on the fishery, environmental response on the Central coast, or a look at the participation of Prince Rupert's CityWest in the SubSea fibre project, the topics of note were many through to Thursday.

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross also had a productive week in the Legislature, bringing attention to such issues as the need for more support by the government for the aquaculture industry, as well as to highlight the ongoing efforts in the Kitimat area to work towards LNG development in the province.

Our look at the work week that just concluded, can be found below:

On the week, Ms Rice was listed six times in the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from February 26 to March 1 .

Ms. Rice's first contribution to the Legislature discussion list came Monday morning, with her statement to the House about a conference she had attended in the week previous, the theme of the event that of exploring the impact of the fishery on coastal communities.

Jennifer Rice brings Fishery notes from weekend conference to Legislature discussion

On Monday afternoon she also made note of the work of the Heiltsuk First Nation when it comes to coastal protection, calling on the Federal government to provide funding for a proper environmental response station in that region.

MLA Rice in the Legislature -- Heiltsuk and environmental response

Tuesday the topic was the plan from the Federal and Provincial governments to provide for improved Internet access to rural and coastal communities, with the MLA making note of the participation of Prince Rupert's communication company CityWest in that project.

MLA touts CityWest's contribution to Coastal communication links

Ms. Rice's opportunity to provide commentary on the Budget came as part of the Wednesday session, as she outlined some of the key elements that she hailed as strong moves by the government.

North Coast MLA's Budget Defence includes Prince Rupert references

The MLA also introduced two members of the Northwest to the gallery, noting the presence of Christine Martin from Lax Kw'alaams and Kirby Mudloe from the Ksipiox, noting that they were in town to discuss how to implement UNDRIP , with the MLA making note of their advocacy work when it comes to Wild Salmon stocks.

Fishing would once again be the theme on Thursday for Ms. Rice, as she delivered a statement on the importance of the Commercial Fishery on the economic and social fabric of coastal communities.

Commercial Fishing makes for the theme of latest Fish Notes in Legislature from MLA Rice


The North Coast MLA is also a member of the committees listed below, Transcripts of their work are available on the individual pages for each Committee.

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs

Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth

And while the North Coast MLA took advantage of her time in the Legislature to share her positive reviews of the work of the NDP government so far, back home in her home constituency of Prince Rupert, there were a few rumblings from civic officials about a lack of action on some of the issues that they have raised with the province in the past.


Some rumblings of discontent from one of the BC NDP's most loyal constituencies

Budget preview charts course towards public consultation period in Prince Rupert

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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, this week found Skeena MLA Ellis Ross mentioned three times in the work of the Legislature from February 26 to March 1.

The first item of note, when explored themes related to Aquaculture on Monday.

Skeena MLA reminds Legislature of importance of Aquaculture in BC

The Skeena MLA also returned to the ongoing discussion in the Legislature of the fate of the province's LNG industry, with Mr. Ross highlighting the work of a number of local officials and residents in the Northwest to keep active the region's aspirations for the industry.

Skeena MLA Ross makes note of Northwest support for LNG projects during Legislature speech

As the North Coast MLA had done, Mr. Ross also asked the Legislature members to welcome a visitor from the region to the Victoria, making note of the attendance of Richard Prokopanko,  a long time worker at Rio Tinto Alcan who was in the gallery.

Mr. Ross is also a member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives, Transcripts of the work of that committee are available on the Legislature website

The Legislature will return to their work on Monday morning, March 5th.

There is more background on the North Coast and Skeena MLA's available from our MLA's Week Archive  as well as our General Archives on the Legislature below: 

North Coast constituency

Skeena and Stikine Constituencies

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


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

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