Thoughts on BC Politics and More

BC’s New Mining Consultation Framework Falls Short on Clarity, Confidentiality, and Respect for First Nations   REVELSTOKE, BC: The Conservative Official Opposition is calling out the NDP government’s rushed and flawed rollout of the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF), saying it ignores industry requirements and fails to deliver the meaningful consultation with First Nations that is constitutionally required. “This framework falls far short of the respect these communities deserve,” said Scott McInnis , MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke and Critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “The NDP have prioritized checking a legal box over building a process rooted in trust and transparency.” McInnis said the entire framework looks like it was rushed through to meet the March 26 implementation deadline. The framework appears only to satisfy the minimum requirements of the Gitxaała ruling. “This is not reconciliation,” said McInnis, “it’s regulatory theatre...

       BC Government photo More than 600 residents of Harrop and Glade, B.C. face the prospect of being cut off from essential services as a looming ferry strike threatens their livelihoods and well-being. Pete Davis, Conservative MLA for Kootenay Rockies is calling on the local NDP MLA for Kootenay Central and Minister of Rural Services, Brittny Anderson, to put rural communities first. “ This isn’t just about logistics; it’s about the people who depend on this ferry to access food, work, and critical services ,” Davis said. “ The residents of Harrop and Glade deserve leadership. Their local MLA and Minister must stand up for them and ensure their voices are heard .” Davis is urging the government to take swift action to bring both sides together and prioritize a resolution that avoids further disruption. “ It’s time for the government to lead, support rural communities, and secure a fair deal for everyone involved ,” Davis added. Harman Bhangu,...

After seven years of the current BC NDP government, our healthcare system has never been worse. We have watched a crisis unfold in every part of the system and it’s time the NDP answers for their failures ...  ... Quite frankly, we need all hands-on-deck to deal with this crisis, and the NDP’s continued resistance on this matter will bring further harm to our healthcare system at a time when it’s already in shambles ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Since 2018, major infrastructure projects in British Columbia have been subjected to the NDP’s so-called Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs). A “true” CBA is supposed to leverage government spending on public infrastructure projects to obtain additional benefits to a community. These can provide increased employment and skills training especially for members of groups who may be under-represented or historically disadvantaged. In theory, a reasonable idea. The truth is that the B.C. NDP CBAs are, in practice, Project Labour Agreements or collective bargaining agreements that specify the labor arrangements for a construction project with the goal of resolving labour disputes and avoiding strikes and lock outs. So What, you say? Well, here’s the rub… CLICK HERE for the full story

Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok on debt     Debt is like any other trap – easy enough to fall into, but hard to escape. The B.C. NDP are now trapped by their own overspending, and British Columbians are going to pay the price for years to come.   Since my last MLA Minute, I’ve heard from many of you. My constituents are paying attention to what’s happening with provincial finances, and the sky-rocketing debt is a real concern. Well, it should be. We are now shouldering unprecedented debt without the results that we were promised.   There is an urgent financial crisis burning in the background of this province. It is difficult not to sound alarmist, but the numbers speak for themselves. Now more than ever, good people in this province are realizing how the mounting debt is affecting them, their families, their businesses, and their future ... CLICK HERE for the full story

  MLA Minute: Can B.C. deliver the dream?   The enemy of truth is blind acceptance. It is has become clear to me that the B.C. NDP government want you to blindly accept their word that the province and my constituents are doing better than ever. Well folks, that is just not true! CLICK HERE for the full commentary

The voices of BC Columbia Basin communities are captured in a new report that details a series of Columbia River Treaty meetings held in fall 2019. The 2019 Columbia River Treaty Community Meetings Summary Report reflects in-person engagement between the Province and communities, as Canada-U.S. talks about the treaty’s future continue. In October and November 2019, the Province hosted public meetings in 12 Columbia Basin communities: Revelstoke, Valemount, Cranbrook, Jaffray, Creston, Golden, Invermere, Genelle, Nelson, Meadow Creek, Nakusp and Fauquier. The meetings served two purposes: Update communities about the current Columbia River Treaty negotiations and projects underway to address community interests. Give residents an opportunity to connect with the Canadian negotiating team, including the Indigenous Nations who became part of the negotiating contingent in 2019. The document captures the presentations, feedback and discussions that took place in ea...

Columbia River - Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok After almost three years in office, Premier John Horgan finally took his first tour to a region that has seen a lot of hardship over the past year. From months of dwindling job numbers, countless setbacks for a forestry sector in crisis, to a sham-filled caribou consultation; northern B.C. residents had hoped to hear some good news from their Premier. However, not only did relief not materialize during his tour, John Horgan doubled down on his disconnect through missed opportunities and several tone-deaf comments. At a round-table meeting of northern mayors, the Premier remarked that “ quite frankly we don’t hear from [Opposition MLAs] about the positive initiatives that are happening in the community .” This assertion is just flat-out false — I’d instead argue that perhaps the Premier has just failed to listen to the concerns of British Columbians outside of NDP held ridings . As an opposition MLA, I h...

Used with permission – originally posted in CFJC Today HOW MUCH IS a municipal politician worth? A common answer among taxpayers is likely to be, less than they’re getting. It’s a serious question, though, and a challenging one. Councils have the unenviable job of deciding how much they should pay themselves. Unenviable, because while setting your own salary might seem like a dream come true, in politics it’s a deadly proposition. Councils are often justifiably criticized for the size of those pay raises, and they approach pay-raise time with trepidation.   Revelstoke City Council Take Revelstoke, for example. The council there is desperately trying to keep from being hanged, drawn and quartered in the town square — if they have one — in a storm of public outrage over a pay increase. It’s a problem of their own making, beginning with a bizarre decision to increase the mayor’s pay 134 per cent and councillors’ pay 67 per cent....

How does the Cambridge Dictionary describe what a Nanny State is?  It’s a government that tries to give too much advise, or make too many laws, about how people should live their lives . And it seems like our BC NDP government is back at it again in regards to this. According to a letter sent to Tourism Minister Lisa Beare, by MLA’s Michelle Stillwell, and Doug Clovechok. Silly season is here again. Quoting the letter sent by the two MLA’s to Beare;   Will this be the new look for golf carts in BC In October of 2018, WorkSafe BC proposed amendments to Part 16 of the worker safety ‘Mobile Equipment’ regulation, which falls under the Workers Compensation Act of BC, making rollover protection and seat belts mandatory on golf carts.  From our perspective, the low golf cart rollover injury claim history does not support the need for roll over protection structures (ROPS), nor is there an apparent need for specific location risk a...