Many may question the value of public input into such things as the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services ... not so MLA Doug Clovechok
FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS: Earlier today Doug Clovechok, BC Liberal MLA
for Columbia River – Revelstoke, took to Social media to announce and share
that he was:
“... humbled by the actions of the House last
week in Victoria. On Wednesday March 6th, I was voted in by all of BC MLA's
(unanimously!) to sit on the Legislature's Select Standing Committee on Finance
and Government Services; an honour I do not take lightly.”
He continued, “In short, the Committee reviews the budget estimates and plans for nine offices (ie: Auditor General, Elections BC, Ombudsperson, Human Rights, Police Complaint, Child & Youth, Conflict of Interest, Merit, and Info & Privacy). Our Committee also hosts public hearings & budget consultations across the Province, hearing from British Columbians on matters that are important to them.”
So how
often, I wondered, does someone in their first term as an
MLA would be appointed to a post like this – after all it seemed to me to be a
fairly big responsibility? Apparently, the position requires a
skill set that is conducive to successful committee work and most important
outcomes.
“The work I have done inside the Legislature
(Vice Chair of the Standing Committee to elect a Chief Electoral Officer) and
the work inside the constituency along with the tool box I brought with me when
elected has contributed to my being elected to this role”.
“I have also garnered the trust of my Caucus,
and Leader all of who enabled this to happen. The responsibility is large
but both Tracy Redies and Peter Milobar, who were both on the committee last
round, were both “new MLA’s. They too had just had the skills that were
necessary.”
In carrying on my conversation with Doug, I
wondered what the learning curve
has been like for him as a first-time elected MLA ... and specifically if there
were any surprises he hadn't expected, both good or bad?
Not surprisingly,
he stated that, “The learning curve
continues to be steep, fascinating and engaging. The work, and our
accomplishments, that we have been able to bring to account in the riding, and
for the riding while in Victoria have been incredibly rewarding. It is
the work I was hired to do.”
As to what he had not expected ... that also came as no surprise;
As to what he had not expected ... that also came as no surprise;
“I did not expect to be in opposition to a
minority coalition government when I got elected”, he commented. “The learning curve that comes with being an
opposition member will ultimately make me a much stronger and effective
government MLA come the next election, God
willing.”
Back to what MLA
Clovechok called the “public hearings & budget consultations” which would
be taking place across the province; those apparently will begin this June.
“The schedule has not been set as of yet but the proceeding will run from June
2019, to the end of August 2019 with initial meetings beginning this month.”, he stated.
As to reviewing
budget estimates and plans, how much input does an opposition MLA have on those
plans?
“My voice will be an equal voice in the
discussions, and decision making, along with 5 other MLA’s”
With respect for
government continuing to slide, many are likely to question the value of input
the public has into such things as the Select Standing Committee on Finance and
Government Services. Many are likely to
ask, why should I bother because government doesn’t listen to us?
Doug
however stated, “Through the consultation
process, that will take place across BC, the public will have a significant
contribution in terms of the information that they will provide.”
That consultation process
will see committee members traveling the province and meeting with stakeholder
groups, who will offer presentations relating to their areas of interest and
needs.
And with that, his work has already begun as
a member of the committee, and will continue through until next August.
Once the work has been completed, the report
will be presented to Finance Minister Carole James, and members of the BC legislature.
And one
final word from Doug, that he wanted me to share, “BC still believes in engaging with constituents”.
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