In a recent podcast
with my brother-in-law Nick Gilchrist, we discuss the process for bringing a
Bill forward, the formal Legislative steps it goes through prior to adoption,
and the role of the opposition in the process.
He asked me if the role of the opposition is
to just simply oppose everything the government does?
His question highlights an important point
for me, as a Member of the Opposition Green Party. This is where there is
confusion between governance and politics.
A Member motivated by good governance asks: “How
can I make this Bill better?”
A Member motivated by politics asks: “How
can I make government look silly?”
Opposition has a role, on behalf of all
British Columbians, to hold government accountable -- to ask questions, poke,
prod, push, pull, dig and test. Our job is to ensure Bills withstand the tests.
The official opposition do much of this work
on the floor once the Bill is introduced. If a Bill does not withstand the
legislative tests then it will be opposed.
The BC Green Caucus is in a unique situation.
Due to our ‘Confidence and Supply Agreement’
with the BC NDP, the government consults with us on some legislation much
earlier, and more often. This is not always the case and some Ministries do a
much more thorough job than others.
With our confrontational system of
government, there will always be some level of politics played as political parties’
angle to advance themselves in mind of the voters.
The problem is when the politics overtakes
the governance.
It’s a fine line; however, it’s helpful to
ask the question ... “Are they trying to improve the work, or just make
government look silly?”
Adam Olsen ... is a Green
Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich North
and the Islands. Born in Victoria, BC in 1976, Adam has lived, worked and
played his entire life on the Saanich Peninsula. He is a member of Tsartlip
First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), where he and his wife, Emily, are
raising their two children, Silas and Ella.
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