Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Finally, Members of Parliament have returned to Ottawa. For members of the Opposition it also a time to become familiar with what our critic roles will be to kick off this new parliament. I am pleased to announce that the entire Okanagan region will be well represented with prominent critic roles: Conservative MP Mel Arnold (North Okanagan—Shuswap, British Columbia), Critic for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. Conservative MP Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country, British Columbia), Critic for Interprovincial Trade NDP MP Richard Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay), Critic for Natural Resources My new portfolio will be the Conservative critic of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

One day after naming former Liberal MP, Leona Alleslev ( crossed over to the Conservatives September 2018 ) to the role of Deputy Leader, Andrew Scheer today named his Shadow Cabinet. From the BC interior, and my home riding of Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod has been named as the Conservative Party’s Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Forestry and Mining).   “ I am stepping into this role as the crisis in the softwood lumber industry continues to unfold ,” MP McLeod said. “ At least 20 mills have been forced to shut down or curtail production.  As a result, more than 4,000 people across 27 communities in B.C. are at this moment, out of work.   This does not include the thousands of contractors and small businesses that have been affected indirectly .” “ The challenges facing this industry are vast and complicated. The amount of trees available for logging plummeted in the wake of the pine-beetle infestation, which is now headin...

Regrettably Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with Environment Minister Catherine McKenna , have received a gift, courtesy of the majority of Senators ... the passing of Bills C-48 and C-69. For those not aware, Bill C-48 is the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which prohibits oil tankers that are carrying more than 12 500 metric tons of crude oil or persistent oil as cargo from stopping, or unloading crude oil or persistent oil, at ports or marine installations located along British Columbia’s north coast from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border . As to Bill C-69, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (through its website magazine) states that ... t he government has positioned the changes to the NEBA and CEAA embodied in Bill C-69 as a means of eliminating regulatory uncertainty, providing clarity, avoiding legal action, and increasing Indigenous and stakeholder engagement. While these goals are ostensibly positive, there is a ...