ARCHIVE – June 2017
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Friday, June 30 ~ VICTORIA. The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, will preside over the swearing-in of 150 new Canadian citizens on Canada Day, July 1, 2017 at Government House.
“It is Her Honour’s pleasure to join Citizenship Canada in welcoming these new citizens on the day of the country’s sesquicentennial,” it was stated in a news release today.
In addition to new citizens and their guests, this free event is also open to the public. The ceremony will begin at 11 am at the Government House bandshell. The event includes remarks from Murray Rankin, MP (Victoria) and Carole James, MP (Victoria-Beacon Hill). A reception follows, with complimentary refreshments. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.
Live music throughout the event includes Jan Stirling, Joey Smith, Edie Daponte, and Damian Graham performing jazz, “O Canada” performed by Frederique Haens from l’école Victor Brodeur, and Sing Me a Song contest winners the Gabriola Island Singers.
Guests are encouraged to bring their families, as also following the ceremony will be a children’s play area, including an inflatable bouncy castle. Event schedule: 10 a.m. – Event Opens | 11 a.m. – Citizenship Ceremony | Noon -1 p.m. – Reception | Noon -2 p.m. – Children’s Play Area
Friday, June 30 ~ NATIONAL. Due to technical issues, Interac e-Transfer has been unavailable, and all banks are impacted, including the five major Canadian banks: Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, TD Bank and RBC.
It’s a network-wide issue, according to one TD Bank rep. Last night the problem was intermittent, then resolved. But as of 9:30 am Pacific Time today it was being widely reported.
Interac is apparently working to fix the problem and restore service as quickly as possible. “E-transfer system delays have been caused by ‘significant’ technical difficulty,” Interac says. Apparently it is not a hacking incident according to one Tweet at @INTERAC.
Most banks are simply apologizing for the inconvenience and thanking online banking customers for their patience. Bank websites and Twitter feeds are being used to inform customers of when Interac e-Transfer is restored.
Merchant Interac transactions in retail situations are still working, as are ATM machines.
On Twitter, the commentary includes that, in a sense, there couldn’t be a “worse day”. Not only is it a long weekend coming up, with travel funds perhaps required, but people are trying to pay rent and bills on time. Many students may be moving and are perhaps needing flexible funds handling.
Friday, June 30 ~ NATIONAL. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the selection of a premier-designate in British Columbia:
“Under the leadership of John Horgan, the New Democratic Party will form government in British Columbia. I look forward to working closely with Premier-designate Horgan to deliver real results on the issues that matter to British Columbians and to all Canadians
“By coming together in a spirit of cooperation, I am confident that we can grow the industries and sectors at the heart of the province’s prosperity, while promoting clean growth and innovation and investing in public transit and green infrastructure.
“I also look forward to working with Premier-designate Horgan to implement the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as we renew Canada’s nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
“I thank Christy Clark for her work as premier and her public service contributions to the province, the people of British Columbia, and the country as a whole.”
While both leaders are proactively supporting the well-being of the middle class, Trudeau and Horgan are likely to butt heads on the TransMountain pipeline issue, as the NDP and Greens have come out against the expansion (twinning) of the pipeline that carries oil from the oilsands in Alberta out to the BC coast for transport by tanker primarily Pacific Rim countries.
Thursday, June 29 ~ VICTORIA. The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, has issued the following statement around 8:25 pm this evening, June 29, 2017:
“As Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and as the representative of Her Majesty the Queen of Canada, I have met with Premier Clark and will accept her resignation. I have asked Mr. Horgan to form a government, he having assured me that he can form a government which will have the confidence of the Legislative Assembly.”
Earlier this evening, Guichon spent about an hour in discussion with then-Premier Christy Clark (during which time Clark asked the Lt Governor for dissolution to trigger an election), then summoned now Premier-designate John Horgan.
Media waited outside Government House in Victoria for the duration, and likely many British Columbians were following every step of the drama that unfolded from a non-confidence vote in the BC Legislature around 5:30 pm to the final public comments by Horgan around 8:20 pm.
Thursday, June 29 ~ VICTORIA. On the eve of Canada’s 150th Birthday, BC has an NDP government for the first time in 16 years.
BC NDP Leader (Official Opposition Leader) John Horgan was summoned by Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon to meet with her this evening. Around 8:20 pm Horgan emerged from Government House to address the media, confirming that he has been asked to lead the government as BC’s next Premier. Cheers erupted from the outdoor area in front of the vice-regal residence on Rockland Avenue in Victoria.
The transition of power is expected to take about three weeks, including setting up a cabinet. Premier-designate Horgan said:
“I look forward to working harder than I’ve ever worked before to make sure that this great province continues to grow and that the prosperity we all want to see for ourselves, we can make sure that we can share that prosperity with others.
We want to make sure that the services people count on are there for them when they need it. We want to make sure most importantly that we continue to grow as a dynamic diverse province, the envy of Canada, on the 150th birthday of Canada.
It is truly an honour to stand before you today and say that tomorrow I’ll begin putting together a government that will make British Columbia better.
It’s been seven weeks since election day. The Lieutenant Governor wanted to know if the continuity of government was going to be here. I assured her I would do my level best to see that continuity continues.
I’m grateful that today we were able to demonstrate in the legislature that the the Green and NDP alliance when it comes to matters of confidence is strong and that we can work together, not just as Green and NDP but Liberals as well. To make sure we have the services that we all depend upon.
I’ts been an extraordinary time for staff at Government House and for her Honour. We want to make sure, and she wanted to make sure (in speaking to the Premier and to me), that the continuity of government was going to be there.
And the systems and structures that we hold so dear here in BC were going to be in good hands. And I assured her that I would do my level best to make sure that continuity continues.
There’s an enormous amount of work to do. It’s been 16 years since there’s been a transition in govt. Sixteen years of challenges that have been created for many many people, challenges that won’t be fixed over night.
I want to focus as quickly as possible on putting together a cabinet and government structures. So that we can get moving on issues that matter to people. The fentanyl crisis needs immediate education, and the softwood lumber agreement needs immediate attention, as does the public education system.
We discussed the configuration of the Legislature – there are 87 members just elected, 26 for the first time, of those 14 NDP, 2 Green, and 10 Liberal. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for a new legislature to work together cooperatively.
The Throne speech (just last week) was consistent with values and program plants that I put forward. I’m confident that all members of the house will be able to work together to meet the objectives that all British Columbians want to see.”
Horgan told media that the full transition would occur as soon as possible. “We will get access to government documents tomorrow, to start working on a transition.”
He continued: “We want to swear in a government in the next number of days and then get back to work. It will be as soon as possible.”
He explained that a speaker will be elected by the legislative assembly when the house reconvenes. He said he looks forward to talking to Christy Clark as soon as possible.
Thursday, June 29 ~ VICTORIA. BC NDP Leader John Horgan (Leader of the Official Opposition) arrived at Government House around 7:40 pm this evening, presumably to meet with Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon.
This follows Guichon’s hour-long meeting with BC Liberal Leader Christy Clark whose government lost at confidence vote in the BC Legislature around 5:30 pm this evening. Clark simply said afterward that the Lieutenant Governor had “retired to make her decision”.
Horgan could very well be the next Premier of BC. A coalition with the Greens could last a while, or another election could happen soon.
Update to come.
Thursday, June 29 ~ VICTORIA. The Yea’s have it! A confidence vote in the BC Legislature has failed. Then the house was adjourned. All of this ahead of 5:30 pm (Pacific Time).
After 16 years and two months in power in Canada’s western-most province, the BC Liberals have lost the confidence of the legislature.
Premier Christy Clark now heads to Government House to meet with BC Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, to say she has lost the confidence of the house.
A decision could be known as soon as 6 pm this evening, as to whether John Horgan will be asked to lead the province as the first NDP Premier in 16 years, or whether an election will be called.
As summarized by the Globe and Mail this evening, the premier had three options going into that meeting: request an election; advise the Lieutenant-Governor to ask the Opposition New Democrats to form government; or simply resign without offering any advice.
Premier Christy Clark (BC Liberal), BC NDP Leader John Horgan, and BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver were present for the vote. All 87 MLAs were in the house today for the vote. A motion by NDP Leader John Horgan, which said “the present government does not have the confidence of this House,” passed 44-42. All MLAs voted along party lines, i.e. all NDP and Green members of the legislature voted in favour, and all Liberals voted against.
This outcome could give the BC NDP and BC Greens a chance to govern as a coalition, based on their 57% popular vote achievement in the May 9 election. Those two parties — who claim the progressive vote — signed an agreement between themselves at the end of May, which was delivered to Guichon for her consideration.
Or, at the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor, the House (now adjourned) could be dissolved and another election called. That decision might be based on the inherent instability of neither setup (the now dismissed BC Liberals with 44 seats, or a presumed 44 seat setup comprised of 41 NDP and 3 Greens). A speaker has to be appointed from the governing side of the house. That would leave a NDP/Green coalition with still 43 seats, one short of a majority.
This entire scenario has left British Columbians without a get-to-work government since April 11 when the Writ was dropped to hold the May 9 election. In addition to the political instability of that, there has been time for many people with vested interest in maintaining a BC Liberal government to sort out their plans.
According to various sources, Elections BC has already been setting up locations to operate as voting stations during the month of August.
BC NDP Leader John Horgan tweeted after the vote: “Today’s vote is a step towards a new government that will put people first. We’re ready to work hard for the people of British Columbia.”
BC Green Leader Andrew Weaver issued a statement following the house adjournment this afternoon: “We are encouraged that the BC Liberals have indicated their support for many of the policy priorities outlined in our agreement with the BC NDP. This is an historic opportunity for all 87 MLAs to work together to address the most pressing issues facing our province. Our caucus looks forward to working with our colleagues on both sides of the house in a productive and collaborative new government.”
Christy Clark has served as BC’s 35th premier since 2011.
It’s rare that a Lt Gov (representative of the Queen) is put in a position to make such a weighty decision. All of the election and legislative process coming down to the decision of one person.
Green MLA Sonia Furstenau has tweeted in the period after 6 pm during which everyone is awaiting the decision of the Lt Gov: “It is my hope that 51 days after the #bcelxn, the LG affords the @bcndp and @BCGreens the opportunity to govern.”
Monday, June 26 ~ VICTORIA. The non-confidence vote has been scheduled for Thursday in the BC Legislature but that didn’t stop the NDP from asking the vote to be pulled up to today. It will still be on Thursday, probably around 5:30 pm.
Premier Christy Clark said a few times in the Legislature today that “no one wants an election” (i.e. again so soon).
Meanwhile, the BC Liberals saw two motions defeated by the NDP and Greens in the legislature today: one that would have given official party status to the Greens and another that would ban big money from politics. But the NDP-Green coalition would not be tricked by the last-minute about-face in BC Liberal policy attempts, and held firm.
BC NDP Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition, John Horgan reiterated how the majority of British Columbians voted for parties that would pro-actively represent the policies and values that the BC Liberals brought forward only this week for the first time.
BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver said in a release today: “British Columbians are tired of these partisan games and attempted power plays.”
Weaver said: “Today, the BC Liberals surprised us with a vote to award the BC Green Caucus official party status. Moments earlier I spoke with the media and made it clear that our Caucus will not debate legislation until the confidence of the house has been tested.”
“The Premier has been clear that she wants to follow procedure and test confidence of the house,” Weaver continued. “She has now had more than six weeks to do so and yet continues to delay. If she is serious about acting in the best interests of British Columbians, there is nothing stopping the BC Liberal caucus from voting to test confidence of the house immediately.”
“The BC Green caucus has committed to act on principle, and will continue to do so going forward,” Weaver concluded.
Monday, June 26 ~ COASTAL BC. BC Ferries has issued an update on two vessels out of service.
Southern Gulf Islands Service
- BC Ferries announced today that the Queen of Nanaimo remains out of service on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route. Repairs progress on control issues for the starboard controllable pitch propeller. Specialized technicians and engineers are working around the clock to complete the repairs. As a result, the Queen of Nanaimo’s sailings have been cancelled until the end of day Thursday, June 29. The newest vessel in the fleet, Salish Eagle, will provide over 50% capacity to this route while these repairs are completed on the Queen of Nanaimo.
- BC Ferries has added 12 additional sailings above the service provided by the Salish Eagle. These sailings will be offered on Tuesday, June 27, Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29. Further updates will be provided over the coming days. Additional sailing times: www.bcferries.com
- In addition to the Salish Eagle, customers can also travel through Swartz Bay to connect to the Southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries will provide complimentary reservations on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route to assist with travel. Customers are asked to contact BC Ferries’ Customer Care Centre at 1-888-223-3779 to book travel arrangements. Note that customers booked on the Salish Eagle do not need to re-book. To determine which ship you are on, visit www.bcferries.com/current_conditions/actualDepartures.html
Nanaimo and Langdale Service
- The Coastal Inspiration, which was also out of service for propeller repairs, departed the dry dock this morning and is expected to be back in service on the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route this Thursday, June 29. The full summer schedule will be in effect for the Canada Day long weekend.
Sunday, June 25 ~ BC. The BC Liberals Throne Speech on June 22 was so-thoroughly-NDP that a snap election this fall would not entirely be a surprise.
Well, ya know, the NDP did ‘put it all out there’, and it got grabbed up. People might be surprised by the recent BC Liberal moves, but not that many are fooled. However, now BC has a bit of a political crap-shoot on its hands.
The NDP are expected to call for a confidence vote in the BC Legislature tomorrow, June 26.
The landscape changes daily, but here’s a bit of analysis, as first published in the June 23, 2017 print/PDF issue of West Shore Voice News (see pg 1 & 2).
Thursday, June 22 ~ VICTORIA. This morning in the BC Legislature MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson was declared Speaker of the House. He was congratulated by BC Premier Christy Clark, who gave her full support.
BC NDP Leader & Leader of the Official Opposition John Horgan also congratulated Steve Thomson on being declared Speaker. “Among us all, I could not think of a more respected and better person to take on this very important challenge in the days and weeks and months and years ahead,” said Horgan, emphasizing the longevity that he hopes the legislature will maintain.
BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver afterward issued a statement: “I could not think of a more exceptional choice to guide the business of the legislature. Mr. Thomson has the respect of all the MLAs in the legislature and brings experience, dignity and honour to his new position.”
There are 87 seats in the BC Legislature. The appointment of a BC Liberal MLA to the Speaker’s chair leaves the BC Liberals with 42 voting seats in this 41st session of the BC Parliamentary Session, compared to 41 on the NDP side of the house, and three green. If the NDP and Greens vote as a block, they would have 44 votes, a majority.
This first day back of the BC Legislative session continues at 2 pm today, June 22, with delivery of the Throne Speech by Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon at www.ThroneSpeechBC.ca .
This morning’s session archive can be viewed at: https://www.leg.bc.ca/documents-data/broadcasts-and-webcasts
Wednesday, June 21 ~ COASTAL BC. BC Ferries is doing their usual add-on of additional sailings for the busy summer travel season. Extra sailings will be on routes serving Vancouver-Victoria (Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay) and Vancouver-Sunshine Coast, as well as the inter-island routes.
Fare promotions this summer include a break on the rate for private passenger vehicles longer than 20 ft (that’s to Oct 1), and passenger vehicle and driver fares at $39, $49, and $59 on select morning/evening sailings (to Sept 15).
Wednesday, June 21 ~ VANCOUVER. Today BC Premier Christy Clark will address a BC Liberal Women’s lunch at the Century Plaza Hotel in downtown Vancouver at noon. Media has been advised that her address will provide a preview of the BC Liberal Government’s renewed plan for BC.
Wednesday, June 21 ~ NATIONAL – from the west coast. It’s finally the first day of summer, which seems to have taken longer to arrive due to a dreary long winter and a spring with much more rain than usual. It’s almost as if winter lasted right up until it became summer!
The summer solstice officially marks the first day of summer. This year the solstice arrived at 9:24 pm Pacific Time last night on June 20, making today June 21 the first full day of summer.
On the west side of Vancouver Island it was also quite a windy day yesterday, as if to usher in summer with a bang and with a reminder that the climate is not following stable patterns as it used to.
For health in summer, people are reminded to wear sunscreen for their skin when outdoors, and UV-protective eyewear. Remember to stay hydrated and wear a hat when exposed to sunlight.
Most people’s veggie and herb gardens are well underway already. But now that warm weather is assured it’s a good time for planting any remaining vegetable or herb plants as well as flowers.
On the national political scene, Prime Minister Justice Trudeau has renamed National Aboriginal Day — as recognized each year at the summer solstice — as National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Relocating one hydro pole in Langford could open up exponential growth for the City of Langford and the west shore region. As outlined in the June 2 issue of West Shore Voice News, a transmission tower with 230 kV lines presently stands in a spot where Langford wants to build more seating at Westhills Stadium.
Expanded stadium seating would facilitate a host of new opportunities including MLS soccer, football training camps and big concerts. It would be a powerful driver to bring people into the heart of Langford. Doubling the capacity of Westhills would make that venue really special to the community, is the Langford view. That’s the dream. And the work is underway to make it happen.
“We’re hoping that BC Hydro can donate half the cost of moving the pole and lines,” says Langford Mayor Stew Young. “It’s an important project for Langford,” he says. “Relocating the pole and expanding Westhills Stadium seating capacity would help ensure Women’s Rugby Sevens stays in Langford and allow for other types of sports teams and exciting events to happen, including the potential Commonwealth Games. To this end, “we’re looking to BC Hydro to be a community partner.”
Langford engineering staff explained this week that receiving an updated quote from BC Hydro that has accurate and realistic data is an important step to move the exciting project forward in a timely manner. The last quote was provided in 2014, and it requires fresh costing and possibly fresh eyes to the available technical options. In 2014, construction costs were at first outlined by BC Hydro as $1.5 to $3 million with actual constructions costs around $100,000 to 150,000 per pole, say Langford municipal engineers. Then $4,135,161 was provided in December 2014 as a high-level cost estimate (i.e. not every detail yet considered) to move the transmission tower. BC Hydro presented that cost as variable… could go up by 50% or be less by 35%.
BC Hydro staff have said that in order to provide a “confident cost estimate” they would need to perform a detailed engineering study to identify risks and impact and the need for geotechnical surveys. To produce what BC Hydro calls a “required conceptual study” would take about three to four months. That would push the construction phase quite a bit further along. Construction in the wet winter season is more challenging (and would possibly be avoided), and thus the spring-summer sports season looms for 2018 and 2019. Not to mention the time crunch if planning to include the Langford-based stadium in Victoria’s bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
For BC Hydro, the project to relocate a tower that carries a transmission line (necessitating adjustments to other in-sequence structures) would be a relatively large and complex undertaking, utilizing many areas of staffing, technical expertise and equipment, with scheduling around other work. BC Hydro wants $75,000 from the City of Langford to produce the required conceptual study, before anything can get going with the project.
So it’s just lucky for Langford and the west shore region that BC NDP Leader John Horgan — who within a few weeks is expected to be the new BC Premier after things shake down in setup of a new BC Government — is of Langford.
“I’ve spoken with Langford Mayor Young about the pole relocation for the past couple of years. I’ve also worked with him in approaching the Minister of Energy at the time, urging government to work with the city to get that done,” John Horgan told West Shore Voice News on June 16.
“But they’ve just been met with opposition. So that’s an issue. I want to pick up locally with BC Hydro right away. We have other issues around BC Hydro of course,” said Horgan. “Rates have gone up over the past number of years with the prospect of more increases going forward. We’re going to freeze those rate increases for a year while we get our heads around energy supply, including where the Site C hydroelectric project fits into that. That can only be paid for by taxpayers.”
Back to moving the pole in Langford: “That’s also going to be paid for by the taxypayers. How do we work with the City of Langford, who are anxious to do it – and how do it for as little as possible. It wouldn’t be as costly as Hydro is making it out to be,” says John Horgan. “Langford engineers have come up with solutions that are far less costly than the one Hydro is proposing,” Horgan says.
“I don’t want to get into this too deeply until I’ve had a briefing from BC Hydro. I want to hear the real reasons that BC Hydro is not moving on this. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t though. The public benefit is significant. It’s in the interest of Hydro to come up with a better reason… or at least itemize the costs of making this move in a way that the public can understand,” Horgan said on June 16.
“BC Hydro should have to defend their decisions, not just put them out there and say ‘if you want more information send me more money’. That’s outrageous,” said Horgan about the $75,000 price tag that would be required of Langford to get a freshly-costed conceptual report ahead of any detailed project planning or construction.
“We’re looking to BC Hydro to be a community partner by providing an updated quote that has accurate and realistic data,” says Mayor Young, calling that “an important step to move this exciting project forward in a timely manner”.
Langford has even come up with some other ideas, such as relocating the tower to the middle of road with a roundabout around it. That would reduce the transmission line span (instead of going further across the street), as explained by Langford engineers.
Langford has applied for a $6 million UBCM sport infrastructure strategic priorities grant to help with the cost of expanding stadium seating capacity and the costs surrounding that.
“And so ‘getting to yes’ is the way we need to go with this project,” Stew Young said this week, in his trademark style over 25 years of coming up with creative solutions and partnerships to achieve larger goals for his town.
Wednesday, June 14 ~ BC. Coastal Naturalists are on board again this summer on BC Ferries.
BC Ferries is again operating their Coastal Naturalist Program on select vessels this summer. On the Vancouver-Victoria route (Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay) and Vancouver-Nanaimo route (Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay), naturalists will engage with customers during 20-minute presentations, June 28 through September 4.
About 150,000 passengers participate in these presentations each year, and this is the 12th year. Again this year, travellers on BC Ferries can learn about the ocean, BC’s unique wildlife and marine life, coastal, nautical and cultural history.
The service is provided in partnership with Parks Canada. There is free entry to all of Parks Canada places in 2017.
The info sessions will be presented seven days a week on these vessels: Spirit of British Columbia, Spirit of Vancouver Island, Coastal Celebration, Queen of New Westminster, Coastal Renaissance, and Queen of Oak Bay. The Coastal Naturalist schedule is at www.bcferries.com/onboard-experiences/Coastal_Experiences
The educational backgrounds of these young naturalists can be an inspiration to high school graduates of 2017!
- Michelle – Vancouver Island University grad (Anthropology and Geography)
- Katie – BA in Environmental Studies & French, passion for sea slugs
- Rachel – double major in Environmental Studies & Geography, in 4th year at UVic
- Colin – sciences at Thompson Rivers University, and now in the education program at UVic
- Hilary – finishing M.Sc. at Thompson Rivers university studying intertidal animals
- Janna – studying Natural Resource Sciences at Thompson Rivers University
- Jessica – 3rd year Psychology student at UBC with a focus on mental health
- Joe – Bachelor in Environment and Health Studies from York University; plus Applied Coastal Ecology at Northwest Community College in Prince Rupert
Monday, June 12 ~ VICTORIA. Today at Government House, Premier Christy Clark and her Executive Council were formally sworn in by Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon.
“Our province needs a strong economy, one capable of supporting the services and high quality of life that British Columbians expect and deserve,” said Premier Clark. “But the public has also said they want us to do things differently to address areas that impact their lives and their families every day – this new cabinet reflects that message.”
The Executive Council reflects modern, diverse British Columbia. Its 22 members include:
* Thirteen men and nine women.
* Ten ministers from Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley, 12 from Northern BC, Vancouver Island, and the BC Interior.
* Three who use wheelchairs.
* Five new ministers, including British Columbia’s first elected Indigenous cabinet minister with a portfolio.
“The provincial election made two things clear: British Columbians want a government that will work across party lines, and one that will bridge the divide between urban and rural British Columbians,” Premier Clark said.
The executive council is comprised of:
- John Rustad – Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. Has served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation since June 2013.
- Andrew Wilkinson – Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Previously served as Minister of Advanced Education, and Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services.
- Norm Letnick – Minister of Agriculture. Has served as Minister of Agriculture since April 2014.
- Stephanie Cadieux – Minister of Children and Family Development. Has served as Minister of Children and Family Development since 2009.
- Mike Bernier – Minister of Education. Has served as Minister of Education since July 2015.
- Mary Polak – MInister of Health. Previously, she served as the Minister of Environment, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Children and Family Development and Responsible for Child Care, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for the Conversation on Health.
- Michael de Jong – Minister of Finance. A seven-term MLA, he has served as Minister of Finance since 2012. He previously served as Minister of Health, Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services, and Minister of Forests.
- Steve Thomson – Has served as Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations since 2011.
- Donna Barnett -Minister of State for Rural Economic Development. Was re-elected to represent Cariboo-Chilcotin in 2017. She has served as Minister of State for Rural Economic Development since 2016.
- Teresa Wat – Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism. She has served as Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism since 2013.
- Shirley Bond – Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. A five-term MLA, She has served as Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour since 2013.
- Mike Morris – Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. He has served as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General since December 2015.
- Coralee Oakes – Minister of Small Business, Red-Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch. She has served as Minister of Small Business, Red-Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch since July 2015.
- Rich Coleman – Minister of Energy and Mines. A six-term MLA, Coleman has served as Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Housing and Social Development and Minister of Forests and Range.
- Michelle Stilwell – Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation. She has served as Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation since February 2015.
- Todd Stone – Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. He has served as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure since 2013.
- Ellis Ross – Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing. In 2012, Ross was appointed by Premier Clark as the inaugural Chair of the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council.
- Jas Johal – MInister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services. Represents the new riding of Richmond-Queensborough.
- Sam Sullivan – Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. was re-elected to represent Vancouver-False Creek in 2017.
- Jordan Sturdy – Minister of Environment. was re-elected to represent West Vancouver-Sea to Sky in 2017.
First elected in 2013, Sturdy previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment, chair of the Climate Leadership Team, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. - Linda Reid – Minister of Advanced Education. First election in 1991, she is BC’s longest-serving current MLA, and the longest-serving female MLA in BC history. Reid previously served as speaker of the legislative assembly from 2013 to 2017.Parliamentary Secretaries
- Jane Thornthwaite – Parliamentary Secretary for Child Mental Health and Anti-Bullying to the Minister of Children and Family Development
- John Yap – Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Reform Policy to the Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for Liquor
- Darryl Plecas – Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors to the Minister of Health
- Simon Gibson – Parliamentary Secretary for Independent Schools to the Minister of Education
- John Martin – Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
- Laurie Throness – Parliamentary Secretary for Corrections to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
- Greg Kyllo – Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training.
- Dan Ashton – Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
- Linda Larson – Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Education to the Minister of Education
- Marvin Hunt – Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
- Michael Lee – Parliamentary Secretary for Housing Affordability to the Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing
- Joan Isaacs – Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education to the Minister of Education
- Doug Clovechok – Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
Sunday, June 11 ~ NATIONAL. National Blood Donor week is coming up June 12 to 16, and right in the middle of that — on Wednesday June 14 — is National Blood Donor Day.
Leading up to that, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) has launched what they say is a world’s first among national blood operators by introducing a chat bot to engage donors on Facebook Messenger. This new tool is an innovative effort to engage younger audiences in a lifetime of blood donation and to promote the constant need for blood.
“The chat bot is a fun interactive tool that will attract new, young, and lifelong donors, at a time when the blood supply needs a boost to prepare for summer,” said Mark Donnison, vice-president of donor relations.
The chat bot will help users on Facebook Messenger learn more about the donation process and the people who are helped by donations. It will also encourage appointment bookings online or through the National Contact Centre.
This lead in digital engagement was developed in partnership with the team at EY digital consultants. “The chat bot is one more example of our commitment to embrace new and innovative digital technologies to reach and engage donors, whether they are new or returning.” Donors can meet the chat bot by messaging the Canadian Blood Services Facebook page.
CBS manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec).
MILLENNIAL FOCUS
~~ It ain’t the way it used to be, baby! ~~
The ‘gig economy’ is here to stay
Editorial by Mary P Brooke, Editor, West Shore Voice News | Friday, June 9, 2017
Most people over the age of 35 can remember mustering up their courage and finding their first job right out of high school or university, and full independent adult life generally got underway. Not so for the Millennials.
For those under 30, the ‘gig economy’ built of creative offbeat endeavours (many of those online), part-time, contract, consulting and any other sort of non-permanent, no-benefits sources of income is the patchwork quilt of building an income package. Sustaining it is another matter, especially in urban areas of BC where housing/rental costs are far out of proportion to personal incomes. And here’s something not to underestimate… finding an employer who ‘gets’ the Millennial mind. Not to be pampered, but to be optimally functional.
All of this is different from being an entrepreneur — not everyone has that gene. Those of the entrepreneurial spirit — if adequately financed — will do alright in this new gig economy. But for the rest of the youth, it’s a whirlwind roll of the dice to be blown out of high school or university into a world without a pattern in which to create a foothold. Not to be overly dramatic, but for many of these teens-into-adulthood it’s like jumping out of an airplane at 30,000 feet without a parachute.
This generation has the smarts (intellectual, intuitive and digital), and beneath that they will certainly now be building up the emotional force that comes from being deprived of what might have been theirs. Opportunities are still out there but must be called forth with a willpower not taught in schools. It’s a rough world these Millennials have found themselves tossed into, tougher than perhaps they were set up for by today’s ultra-digital, mobile, data-cloud youth reality.
And on the other side of all this are the parents who — if they are able — and finding themselves with any heart at all, are helping out their grown children here and there, or more. In the past 30 years, wealth that made its way rapidly to the top for some has left the rest of us pinned to grinding wheels that provide only the occasional jump-off point. Many are without adequate retirement resource. What’s worse, is those who do try to jump from the pit onto the fast-moving train may falter trying, and badly. Worst case scenarios produce homelessness, drug addiction and a myriad of mental health issues.
In addition to what government should be doing, every stable business and employed person owes it to the next generation — the future of our world — to consciously give a thoughtful helpful hand to the youth of today who are the masters of tomorrow’s world (if not in wealth, in force). ~ Editor
[As first published in the June 2, 2017 print/PDF issue of West Shore Voice News]
Millennial contributions welcome to our news pages and social media channels. Email to news@westshorevoicenews.com or direct-message on Twitter @WestShoreVOICE
Thursday, June 8 ~ VICTORIA. As of today June 8, all 87 MLAs have now been sworn in at the BC Legislature.
Yesterday the three Green MLAs were sworn in, and today the 43 BC Liberal MLAs and 41 BC NDP MLAs took part in a swearing-in ceremony at the legislature.
The Legislature will be recalled on June 22. If a confidence vote fails for Premier Christy Clark, it’s likely BC will finally get NDP Premier John Horgan.
Read our editorial analysis on how things might shake down in a minority government scenario, page 2 in the June 2, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News.
Between Monday June 12 and Friday June 16, travellers are advised of overnight closures, detours and delays on McKenzie Avenue and Highway 1 as part of the McKenzie interchange construction.
The following closures will allow crews to install the Galloping Goose Trail bridge over McKenzie Avenue and the temporary pedestrian/cyclist bridge over Highway 1:
> Monday, June 12, from 11 p.m. to Tuesday, June 13, at 5:30 a.m. McKenzie Avenue will be closed between Burnside Road W and Highway 1.
> Tuesday, June 13, from 11 p.m. to Wednesday, June 14, at 5:30 a.m. McKenzie Avenue will be closed between Burnside Road W and Highway 1.
> Friday, June 16, from midnight to 5:30 a.m. Highway 1 will be closed between McKenzie Avenue / Admirals Road and the Helmcken interchange.
MOTI says that every effort will be made to open these routes as quickly as possible, as soon as it is safe for both the construction crews and the travelling public. The work schedule may change due to weather and other conditions.
All travellers including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are advised to plan alternative routes and to allow for extra time. Please also obey traffic control personnel and construction speed limits, and watch for workers and highway message boards. For up-to-date traffic advisories: www.drivebc.ca
The interchange, when complete, is expected to improve travel times between core areas, Saanich and the western communities of Colwood, Langford and beyond to Sooke.
Wednesday, June 7 ~ BC. BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver has issued the following statement in response to media reports of apparent uncertainty over the future of education funding. This is upon BCTF President Glen Hansman yesterday expressing concern about uncertainty over who will form the next government, and feeling this has left teachers and school trustees in limbo.
“I’m surprised to hear that our public educators are facing uncertainty with regards to their funding,” said Weaver. “This uncertainty is unnecessary, since all three parties in this election committed to the $360 million classroom enhancement fund at a minimum. I reaffirm the BC Greens Caucus’ commitment to this funding and call on the leaders of the BC Liberals and the BC NDP to do the same.
“After a lengthy and expensive court battle with the incumbent government, our teachers deserve to focus solely on their students. The minority government that British Columbians voted for presents an opportunity to do politics differently. This is an opportunity to depoliticize our public education system and put the interests of our students front and centre where they belong.”
Sunday, June 4 ~ BC. BC Premier Christy Clark has issued a statement today, regarding the attack June 3 in the London Bridge tourist area of London, UK. One woman from British Columbia was killed in the terrorist attack that was done with a vehicle plowing into people followed by assaults with a knife.
“Yesterday, terrorists carried out several attacks in the heart of London. One of the victims was from British Columbia.
“The individuals who carry out these acts of hate want to change us. They want to sow fear and division. Ultimately, they want us to turn on each other. They will never succeed.
“As her family and province mourn, we must never forget who we are – and the diversity that makes us strong.
“My thoughts, and those of all British Columbians, are with Chrissy Archibald’s family, her friends, and all those who knew and loved her.”