Thoughts on BC Politics and More

The Province, in partnership with the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC), is opening six Indigenous justice centres, fulfilling a commitment to establish 15 Indigenous justice centres (IJCs) throughout BC. Niki Sharma, Attorney General, was joined by the BCFNJC in Kamloops to celebrate opening the six new centres in Kamloops, Williams Lake, Cranbrook, Port Hardy, Fort St. John and a shared location serving the communities of Burns Lake and Hazelton.  “ It is incredible to reflect on what First Nations, the BC First Nations Justice Council and the Province have collaboratively achieved – a network of 15 Indigenous justice centres across BC ,” said Kory Wilson, chair, BCFNJC. “ IJCs provide Indigenous clients with optimum legal representation and access to wraparound services that extend beyond their legal needs. As those accessing our services often feel overwhelmed and disconnected from community, IJCs embrace them with care, honour their cultural identity ...

The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations have declared a state of emergency for their reserve north of Port Hardy following the deaths of 11 of its members in the past two months. Many of those deaths were caused by poisoned drugs and alcohol, the nation said. Issued on the direction of hereditary chiefs and matriarchs, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations council said it will take “all necessary measures” to protect its members and to remove drug dealers and alcohol suppliers from Tsulquate 4 reserve. “The loss of so many precious lives in such a short time have caused massive suffering, grief and trauma.” Colleen Hemphill, chief treaty negotiator for the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw for 27 years, said six deaths happened within a span of 10 days . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Youth around British Columbia and their families will have faster, easier access to mental health and substance use services and supports with eight new Foundry centres to be developed throughout the province. The new Foundry Centres will be in Burns Lake, Comox Valley, Cranbrook, Langley, Squamish, Surrey, Port Hardy and Williams Lake. The new locations, as with all Foundry centres, will offer increased access to integrated health and wellness services for young people aged 12 to 24 in both rural and urban communities. Each centre will offer primary care, youth and family peer supports, walk-in counselling, mental health and substance use services, and social services all under one roof, making it easier for youth to get help when they need it. “ I am so excited that young people in eight more communities in rural and urban B.C. will be able to get quick access to the mental health and substance use services they need and deserve ,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and...

Just the other day, from the Alberta government, came news regarding the on-going, and apparently never ending, softwood lumber dispute: Their government’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Devin Dreeshen let it be known that … “ We are disappointed with the US International Trade Commission’s finding that Canadian softwood lumber hurts the US industry. Alberta will continue to support Canada in defending our forest sector through litigation and appeals, including at the World Trade Organization”. “We will continue making our case until it’s understood that the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber trade creates benefits on both sides of the border. The imposition of US duties on Canadian softwood lumber is completely baseless .” Regrettably the comments of then Minister of Foreign Affairs (now Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland -– back in early September -- seem hollow and echo as empty from afar in Ottawa. “US duties on Canadian softwood lumber ...

The BC NDP government continues to stubbornly defend clear-cutting high productivity old-growth forests. The defense that has been vocalized by Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, is that he has a clear understanding of the value of old-growth for biodiversity, but he balances that with an understanding of the economic value of clear-cutting old-growth. While talking about managing old-growth, cut blocks continue to go up for auction by BC Timber Sales (BCTS). One such auction near Port Renfrew is highly contentious and in recent days BC Timber Sales and the Ministry of Forests have been backing away. I have received thousands of emails from British Columbians demanding a new approach to managing old-growth. The desired approach does not include cutting it until there is no more to cut. Old-growth forests are a non-renewable resource and so sustainably managing them would look more like what the Port Renfrew community is doing by transitioning away from har...