Welcome to the Oak Bay – Gordon Head Community Website!

At every level — undergraduate, master's, and PhD, B.C. lags behind other provinces in terms of the number of engineers it graduates per capita. To pick up on this theme I asked the Minister of Advanced Education how her ministry was going to facilitate the development of these programs and increase the number of engineering grads in British Columbia, and in particular, UNBC.

Today was an historic day for British Columbia’s democracy. The unparalleled influence of corporate and union donations, that has become a defining feature of what is broken in BC politics, is coming to an end with the introduction of Bill 3 - Election Amendment Act, 2017.

Today in the legislature I rose to speak in support of the BC NDP budget that was tabled earlier this week. I ran out of time. There was so much more I wanted to discuss about this historic budget issued by the NDP minority government.

Fish farms have long been contentious on the B.C. coast due to concerns about sea lice, disease, escaped non-native species, and the impact these contaminants are having on wild stocks – many of which are already significantly depleted.

I responded today to the reintroduction of the Elections Amendment Act by B.C. Liberal MLA Andrew Wilkinson. Wilkinson first introduced the bill, aimed at B.C.’s campaign finance laws, in June prior to the B.C. Liberals having tested confidence following the loss of their majority in the May election.

Adam Olsen and I issued a statement in recognition of the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).

I am absolutely thrilled with with the introduction of this budget. It is a budget that puts people first. And it's a budget that shows that minority governments can work.

Today in the Legislature the Lieutenant Governor read the Speech from the Throne. I was of course very pleased with the message delivered in the Speech as it reflected much of what the BC NDP and the BC Greens had agreed to in our Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Today the legislature resumed sitting and our first order of business was to elect a speaker. I am absolutely thrilled that Dr. Darryl Plecas, the MLA from Abbotsford South was duly elected.

Adam Olsen, Sonia Furstenau and I returned today from the B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders' Gathering held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. We are very grateful to Scott Fraser, the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation who extended an invitation to our BC Liberal colleagues and us to participate in this year's event.

Today we issued a statement calling for an independent inquiry into the management and construction of the Port Mann bridge. This was done in response to an investigative CBC report that appeared this morning.

We issued the following statement today in response to the government’s announcement that it will conduct and independent review of options for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel.

The B.C Green caucus today announced its new spokesperson roles for the upcoming session. This marks the first time the caucus has established official spokesperson roles after its historic election in May, when the party tripled its seats from 1 to 3 and doubled its popular vote count.

While I am glad that the government has adopted the Ernst and Young report’s recommendation to turn on red light cameras, with ICBC in such a perilous financial situation, the time to implement changes is now.

Today we responded to the government’s announcement that they will expand the tuition waiver program for former youth in care to include all 25 public post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Today​ ​marks​ ​International​ ​Overdose​ ​Awareness​ ​Day,​ ​a​ ​global​ ​event​ ​held​ ​to​ ​raise awareness​ ​of​ ​overdose,​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​stigma,​ ​and​ ​acknowledge​ ​the​ ​personal​ ​responsibility​ ​we all​ ​have​ ​to​ ​support​ ​our​ ​community​ ​members​ ​in​ ​need.

Today the BC NDP announced that they would be removing the tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges in Metro Vancouver effective September 1, 2017. While this may seem like a good idea at face value, it is profoundly troubling from a policy perspective.

Today I signaled my intention to bring in a slightly modified version of my earlier legislation. It is designed to create the required transportation and insurance regulatory framework for transportation network companies to operate in British Columbia.

Today the government announced its intention to use a new at-arm’s-length Fair Wages Commission to establish a pathway to a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour. The establishment of a Fair Wages Commission was a key element of the B.C. Greens 2017 election platform and was included in the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA).

Today the BC NDP claimed to set the stage for banning trophy hunting of grizzly bears in British Columbia. In what can only be described as a political stunt, the BC NDP announced that "effective Nov. 30, 2017, the British Columbia government will end grizzly bear trophy hunting throughout the province." They further proclaimed "while the trophy hunt will end, hunting for meat will be allowed to continue." Today’s announcement will not end grizzly bear hunting in B.C., as many environmental groups have advocated for.

Today my colleague Adam Olsen and I released a statement on the Government's announcement regarding steps that they were going to take to stop the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project from going ahead.

Today the BC Government fulfilled a promise made in our Supply and Confidence Agreement to send the Site C project to the BC Utilities Commission for review. The Terms of Reference for the review indicate that a preliminary report summarizing preliminary findings will be released on September 20 with the final report due November 1, 2017.

I want to thank Christy Clark for her years of service to British Columbians, both as an MLA and as Leader of the BC Liberals. She has been a fierce advocate for British Columbia, here at home and around the world.

Yesterday I issued a statement in response to Petronas’s announcement that it will not be proceeding with its Pacific Northwest LNG project. I also commented on subtle changes in language used in the Minister of Environment's mandate letter.

Yesterday the Premier held a press conference in the rose garden, where she stated: "This isn't a working Legislature, and I haven't seen any evidence that it could work." She further stated: "There's no effort on the part of either opposition party to work together." Today in the Legislature I was up in Question Period. I took the opportunity to ask the Premier why she made these statement when the majority of members in this House stand ready and willing to work together.

Today in the legislature I was up in question period and I wanted to take the opportunity to question the Premier as to whether or not she was going to fulfill her constitutional obligations as First Minister. My question was ruled out of order before I even asked it! You literally can't make this stuff up.

Today in the Legislature I rose to pay tribute to a highly respected constituent, James H. C. Walker who unexpectedly died on June 20th. Below are the text and video of the tribute. Text of Tribute It’s with a heavy heart that I advise the House of the recent passing of a highly-respected constituent, James […]

Today in the Legislature I took the opportunity to question the Premier about the letter that the Minister of Finance sent to the Speaker today. As is evident from the exchange below, it is pretty clear to me that the Premier's commitment to working across party lines is predicated on her government being in power.

Seven weeks after an election, the B.C. Liberal government continues to play games in a desperate attempt to hold onto power. Failing that, they are doing everything they can in an attempt to force another election in July.

Today in the Legislature I rose to speak to the BC Liberal Speech from the Throne. As I noted in my brief media statement following the Throne Speech, the about-face taken by the B.C. Liberal government is astonishing.

Today in the legislature I was up during question period. I took the opportunity to ask the government how they could be trusted in light of the fact that they did an about face in the throne speech. During the election campaign, the BC Liberals claimed that our platform was unaffordable. Yet now, the throne speech reads just like our platform!

Today in the BC Legislature the BC Liberals introduced two bills at First Reading. The first of these bills granted official party status to the BC Green Party. The second of these bills was aimed at banning big money and other electoral finance changes at both the provincial and municipal level in British Columbia. At first glance it might seem very odd that Adam Olsen, Sonia Fursteneau and I voted against these bills at first reading (which means they won't be printed and debated). But we did so as a matter or principle.

Claire Hume and I are very saddened to hear of Gwen Barlee’s passing.

Today in the legislature the Lieutenant Governor read the BC Liberal Speech from the Throne. The astonishing about-face taken by the B.C. Liberal government in this throne speech demonstrates the difference that the B.C. Greens made in the election and that we continue to make everyday with the minority government.

Today I released a statement congratulating Steve Thomson, BC Liberal MLA for Kelowna-Mission, on his acclamation to the role of speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for the province's 41st parliament.

I thought it would be instructive to provide a timeline comparison with the recent election in the UK that also led to a minority government. I think you'll find it very telling as to what is going on in BC. The UK have had an election, recalled parliament, elected a speaker, come together with a minority government agreement, and will read the speech from the throne as we sit on the sidelines watching the BC Liberals attempt instill fear and uncertainty in the electorate.

Over the last few weeks there have been many political pundits, reporters and commentators speculating as to what will transpire when the BC Legislature sits on June 22. Some have questioned how a stable government could be maintained with such a slim majority of seats. Below I outline what should transpire if the Premier lives […]

The results of this election are a clear opportunity to break with the bad habits of the past — political calculation, polarized debates and cynical decisions that prioritize the interests of big-money donors — and to work together to put forth good public policy that will make a difference in the lives of British Columbians.

Today I received a letter from Premier Clark in which she requested I respond to questions regarding the construction of the Site C Dam. This is my response.

When I first tabled this bill it went viral and received media coverage around the world. Forcing female employees to wear high-heeled shoes, especially when their male colleagues are wearing flat shoes, is archaic and this change is clearly overdue,

Today in the Legislature I rose to question the Minster of Community, Sport and Cultural Development as to the status of the so called Capital Integrated Services & Governance Initiative report. A preliminary version of the report was completed in the fall. A final version was to be delivered by early January 2017.

Today in the Legislature I rose to question the Minster of Energy and Mines on ongoing problems at Tulsequah Chief mine located in northwestern BC. Untreated acid mine drainage has been flowing into the Tulsequah River, a pristine salmon spawning ground, since 1957.

Today in the legislature I rose to speak against a cynical bill brought in by government. Bill 4 — Election Amendment Act 2017 is the BC government's response to overwhelming public pressure to eliminate corporate and union donations to BC political parties. The bill of course does nothing of the sort and is little more than a political ploy to distract attention away from the egregious "pay to play" politics ongoing in BC.

Today in the Legislature I was up in Question Period. I questioned the Minister of Justice, Suzanne Anton, about the lobbying and donation practices of the fossil fuel industry and the effect on government decision-making. I also asked about reforms needed to regulate the lobbying industry in BC and bring it in line with federal standards.

Today in the Legislature I introduced two bills aimed at ensuring the humane treatment of dogs who end up being seized, while upholding public protection from dangerous dogs.

Today in the legislature I introduced a bill in the legislature designed to prevent employers from setting varying footwear and other requirements based on gender, gender expression or gender identity. As a result, for example, this act would prevent employers from requiring select employees to wear high-heeled shoes in the workplace.

Today in the legislature I introduced a bill that would limit the number of terms an person could be elected as an MLA. Bill M236 —Election Amendment Act 2. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that those seeking elected office recognize that serving the people of British Columbia should be interpreted as a sense of civic duty, not a career path.

My support for ridesharing lies in the fact that it makes good economic sense. And, hand in hand with that, it is also good environmental policy. Ridesharing, in all its forms, means fewer cars, less dependence on oil and gas, and a much smaller carbon footprint.

The Bill ensures that edible portions of animals are taken to a person’s residence and packed out prior to, or in conjunction with, all other body parts of the game carcass. It no longer allows non-resident hunters to buy preferential access to limited-entry-hunt permits and it bans people convicted of fisheries or wildlife offenses in B.C. and other jurisdictions from becoming fishing or hunting guides.

It is crucial that all investigations be done in a thorough and timely manner, and that the results be released before the May 9th election. British Columbians have a right to know, before they cast their ballot, whether the B.C. Liberal Party or the B.C. NDP have broken the law.

On Thursday last week we debated Bill 7: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act, 2017 at second reading. Every member of the legislature that rose to speak to the bill was in support of it.

Today in the legislature I questioned the Minister of Advanced Education on what I perceive to be a wasteful use of taxpayers resources. In the United States, the Trump news channel bills itself as the world’s first media outlet dedicated to positive news about Donald Trump. Here in B.C., we have our own. It’s called […]

Today in the legislature I rose briefly to respond to the BC Liberal's pre-election budget. I had originally been scheduled to rise earlier in the week but the cold that I had (which caused me to lose my voice) precluded me from speaking for 30 minutes then.

Today in the legislature I had the distinct pleasure of hosting Jillian McCue on a job shadow. Jillian is the remarkable young woman who spent three years trying to get Saanich to allow her to have miniature goats in her back garden. I took the opportunity to make a two minute statement highlighting her inspirational achievements.

Today in the legislature I introduced Bill M232 — Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2017. This Bill will amend the Motor Vehicle Act, by prohibiting the tampering with emissions control devices in motor vehicles. This amendment would bring BC legislation in line with Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act, and the Clean Air Act in the United States.

If passed, this Bill will ensure that municipalities in BC cannot be incorporated without first ensuring that there are residents actually living in the area at the time of incorporation.

Today in the legislature I rose to table another Private Members' Bill entitled: Bill M229 — Energy and Water Efficiency Act, 2017.

Today in the legislature I introduced a private members Bill M227 - Court Order Enforcement Amendment Act, 2017. The bill adds Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) and Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) to the list of plans protected under the act.

The entire world is in the midst of an extinction crisis and humans are the driving force. In Canada, British Columbia is the most biodiverse province, but it is also home to more at-risk species than any other province. Half of B.C.’s assessed species are deemed at risk - we will lose them if we do not act.

Today in the legislature I introduced a bill that reestablishes the rights of British Columbians to access public lands, rivers, streams, and lakes, and to use these spaces to fish, hike and enjoy outdoor recreation.

Constituency Report is a public service that Shaw TV graciously offers MLAs. This month's video is provided below. In this issue Judy Fainstein and I reflect on the past four years and what we can expect in the coming months in the leadup to the May 2017 election.

I'm glad the Minister has finally pulled the permit, but it’s unfortunate that it took this long. It is egregious that the people of Shawnigan had to take their government to court simply to receive representation

Today in the legislature I introduced a private member’s bill entitled Bill M2?? — School Amendment Act, 2017. This Bill amends the School Act to require that a by-election be held within one year of school board trustees being removed and an official trustee being appointed to a District Board of Education.

Today in the legislature I introduced a private member’s bill entitled Bill M2?? —University Amendment Act, 2017. The purpose of this bill is to halt the creeping government interference in university governance, an issue I have previously raised in the past.

A number of constituents have contacted me regarding the high cost of upgrading high school courses. I wrote to the Minister of Education to ask that he consider removing the barriers to educational access that his government put in place in May 2015.

In 2014 the Ministry of Health made an important decision to fund insulin pumps for British Columbians under the age of 25, with Type 1 diabetes. I recently wrote the Minister of Health, urging him to go farther and eliminate that age requirement in order to cover all British Columbians with the disease.

This is political opportunism, pure and simple. Although the financial break is an improvement for many British Columbians, the 2017 budget clearly demonstrates that the B.C. Liberals govern by political calculation, not by what is right for the people of B.C.

Today in the legislature I introduced Ned Taylor who started a petition to ban battery cages in British Columbia. I subsequently tabled his petition in the legislature.

Today in the legislature I reintroduced a bill that if enacted would lower the voter age in British Columbia from 18 to 16. The new name of the bill is Bill M219 — Election Amendment 1, 2017.

Today in the Legislature I rose to re-introduce my private members bill entitled Bill M219: Recall and Initiative Amendment Act. My bill would make it easier for British Columbians to require their provincial government to hold a made-in-B.C. hearing process on oil pipelines.

Today in the legislature I introduced a private member’s bill titled First Responders Act, 2017. This Bill amends the Fire and Police Services Collective Bargaining Act to include paramedics and emergency dispatchers.

A wave of unemployment is sweeping across rural B.C. because of government policies that have devastated the province’s once-great forest resource. Premier Christy Clark now says the appropriate response is to put forest industry people to work building roads and bridges. B.C. really needs a bigger vision than that – especially since the provincial government is complicit in the sector’s mismanagement in the first place.

Today in the legislature debate continued on the Speech from the Throne. Late this afternoon it was my turn to respond. As you will see from the text and video of my speech, reproduced below, and as I noted in my initial statement, the BC Liberals are out of ideas and out of touch with […]

Today in the legislature I was up in Question Period. I took the opportunity to question the Minister of Advanced Education as to what he was doing with respect to allowing universities and colleges to build additional on-campus housing.

Today in the legislature I reintroduced my private member’s bill now titled Rideshare Enabling Act, 2017. This bill is intended to continue the important public dialogue about the rules we need to make ridesharing a reality for British Columbia.

Today in the legislature I tabled a bill titled Family Day Amendment Act, 2017. The Bill amends the Family Day Act to prescribe that the third Monday in February each year is observed as “Family Day”.

Today in the legislature I tabled a bill titled the Property Law Amendment Act to ensure that farmland in British Columbia is safeguarded from real estate speculation using foreign capital. In addition, it is important to ensure that British Columbia’s future food security is protected.

The government started the throne speech with the words ‘Your government has a plan’. They spent the next forty minutes congratulating themselves for their past actions. Clearly, there was no plan and they have no plan.

On Friday, February 3rd, I spoke to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. In my presentation I offered a vision for a prosperous British Columbia that builds on our strengths, not the weaknesses of others. For those wondering about the direction that a BC Green government would take this province, please consider watching.

I condemn any attempt to hack or profit from the hack of a political opponent. Last week, the B.C. Liberals used leaked materials from the B.C. NDP to undermine their climate action platform announcement, and this week the B.C. Liberals’ website has apparently been hacked.

That an abused and neglected 18-year old spent the last 49 days of his life in a hotel room, mostly alone, while the government waited for him to age out of care at age 19, is a horrific testament to the ways in which the Ministry is failing in its duty to protect and care for our most vulnerable children in BC

Let’s be honest. The NDP plan is not a Made in BC solution. Their plan is based around federal measures that were designed to achieve targets that were set by Stephen Harper.

As an MLA and Leader of the B.C. Green Party, I am working to prove that politicians can and should be held accountable to their commitments. I hope to demonstrate that elected officials can serve the public with evidence-based policies and honesty and still be successful. And, as a party, we are evidence that parties can ban corporate and union donations and still be effective.

We are struggling to respond reactively to the fentanyl crisis, an approach that has come with a staggeringly horrific human cost. We need to be proactively supporting mental health and recovery services for which, once again, Federal money is already being offered.

This is the result of a ‘get to yes, no matter the costs’ approach to economic policy. We have a project being approved that most British Columbians are against. We have a process that actively excluded communities. Now the government is arbitrarily suggesting that its conditions have been met, while the evidence shows that’s impossible.

A non trivial component of the government's surplus has come at the expense of those who can least afford it. Cuts to those seeking to upgrade their high school education to pursue work and educational opportunities do nothing more than perpetuate the poverty trap.

The riding of Oak Bay – Gordon Head had the highest voter turnout in the province in 2013, something I am endlessly proud of to this day, and I’m optimistic that the change that started in our community will spread to other ridings in 2017.

In this final post in our series I summarize what it has explored so far, and why we should consider basic income as a tool to help us rectify some of the problems that we face today in BC, and those that we may face tomorrow. As premier in a BC Green government, I commit to introducing pilot projects that explore the costs and benefits of basic income.

Today I visited Vancouver's downtown east side to learn more about the overdose crisis plaguing British Columbia. I have been deeply moved by the dedication and commitment of those working at Vancouver's pop-up safe injection sites – volunteers who are working with few resources to save lives that would otherwise likely be lost.

The fact is, people should not have to take on a dangerous amount of debt to afford a home. The only reason they have to do that right now is because the B.C. Liberal government failed to act to keep housing prices affordable. Now, they are choosing to implement populist, short-sighted and irresponsible programs that download risk on to vulnerable people who are just looking for a way to improve their lives.

The reach and magnitude of this crisis has been tragic. The fact that it has only continued to escalate since the B.C. Ministry of Health declared it a public health emergency on April 14 is horrific in its own right.

The challenges are too big, the consequences are too profound, and the opportunities are too significant for British Columbia to continue to be a barrier in the formulation of a national climate plan. Premier Clark is risking Canada’s national climate plan so she can turn it into a populist election issue in BC.

In what has turned out to be a bizarre set of emails with Rachel Notley's office today, it now appears that there will not be a public meeting after all.

Earlier today I received an email from Rachel Notley's staff. The email accepted my request for a public meeting on the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

Premier Christy Clark was completely absent while a Premier of another province appeared on numerous TV and radio shows and made unsupported claims about the pipeline. The evidence clearly shows us that we are entirely unprepared to deal with an oil spill and yet our Premier had nothing to say.

“I am deeply disappointed by Premier Notley’s disdain for open dialogue with British Columbians. She claims that her support for Kinder Morgan is based on science, yet she laughs off an invitation to engage in an open forum with a scientist who has studied the evidence through-and-through.

Today I sent Rachel Notley an open letter inviting her to participate in a public debate to discuss the merits of the Trans Mountain pipeline and the evidence that underpins the decision to approve it. I also asked that it be televised so that every British Columbian who wants to know the facts can hear them live and unscripted.

It is important to highlight the local resources available to support drug users and their loved ones, and what to do if someone is overdosing. I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to those constituents who have reached out to teach me about this emergency and share memories of their loved ones who have been lost to this tragic epidemic.

Prime Minister Trudeau has betrayed the trust of British Columbians. The approval of this project is completely contradictory to this government’s rhetoric at the Paris climate talks, as well as their commitments to finally embrace a new era of reconciliation. This government was elected with guarantees that change would finally happen - instead we see yet another Federal government steamrolling their pipeline agenda over First Nations and over B.C. communities.

Our governments talk a lot about having “world class” spill response capabilities, indeed that seemed to be the theme of the Ocean Protection Plan announcement. If you were suspicious of that claim, you had every right to be so.