Wednesday December 2, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
With only a brief mention of the that there’s a new BC cabinet in place (MLAs “old and new”, a diverse group) and that they had their first meeting this morning, Premier John Horgan, got down to the regular business of addressing media questions about how he is governing the province.
But not before acknowledging with sympathy how 457 families in BC are dealing with the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19, and that many people are dealing with “isolation, concerns and fears”.
Most moving-forward media questions were about the economy, business, employment and child care. No questions about housing or the rent freeze, or the recent announcement of a BC Hydro rebate, or education and schools during COVID.
Comments related to the second wave of the COVID pandemic were in most ways not anything new. Everything is connected to or impacted by the pandemic.
However, on COVID the comments bear repeating: “The second wave is upon us. We need to all focus on that,” said Horgan. He wants people to stick to essential activities “and no more than that”.
He repeated the public health essentials about keeping celebrations in the holiday season to the “absolute minimum”, noting that this is a “difficult time for how we conduct ourselves” and that people should “continue to focus on protecting each other”.
And stating the obvious he said that COVID is in BC, it’s global and “there is no safe place”, tailgated with “we need British Columbians to understand that”. And as everyone knows, “hope is on the horizon for vaccines”, which is of course excellent news to bear repeating.
Whether the current public health orders (restricting events and gatherings to household only and limiting travel to essential only will) are to be continued after December 7, Horgan said that’s up to Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry.
Job opportunities in health care (home care and long term care more specifically) continue to be important, and Horgan mentioned how post-secondary institutions are working on the training aspect. Over 1,000 new contact tracers have been hired so far, to help out during the pandemic.
The tourism sector naturally needs to realize that the winter will be tough (given international border restrictions and orders for people not to travel unless essential), Horgan said while saying that the tourism task force (as initiated before the September 21 to October 24 snap election period) is now underway. The tourism economy will be discussed in the legislature next week, he said.
Upcoming legislative session:
There was some legislative chat about what might get done during a short session that starts December 7 with a short Throne Speech. MLAs will sit for “no more than a week or two” so they can wrap up before Christmas.
Horgan wants to see the Supply legislation passed that will allow for the income-means-tested COVID bonus to be issued in short order. The bonus of $1,000 per family or $500 per individual will help stimulate the economy. Horgan explained that spending generates the collection of PST (provincially) and GST (federally), supports local business, and creates activity in communities. “It’s a cost effective way to get dollars into people’s pockets,” the Premier said, adding: “It’s good government policy and we’re proud of it.”
The new speaker is going to be Raj Chouhan (Burnaby-Edmonds).
Moving things federally:
Premier Horgan said he has discussed with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the BC Ferries issue of whether people can remain in the cars on the lower deck (reinstating something that was in place during the spring and summer). Horgan says the prime minister is on board with the idea of messaging about limited inter-provincial travel until things settle down with COVID viral transmission.
