Newsletter Number 18: Transcript (and approximate time markers)

[00:00]
Hi, Rob Botterell here, MLA for Saanich North in the Islands. We're into four weeks of the session. I want to give you a bit of an update on the work that we've been doing and the issues that have come up.

[00:15]
The session started in a very somber way because of the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge. And as we got into the session, we talked more about next steps. And we're certainly supporting a full public inquiry because we never want that to happen again. And in Nova Scotia, that's what they did in a similar tragic event. And it really helped set the course to make sure that it would never happen again.

[00:45]
The big item of course was the budget, and as you may know, the province's credit rating has been downgraded. 13 billion dollar deficit, but still cuts to health care, to housing, to key programs. And so later this spring, we'll be presenting our vision for how to actually support people in the environment and get the deficit into a more manageable space and restore the credit rating.

[01:15]
Of course, there were a number of pieces of legislation introduced at this stage of the spring session. They're largely housekeeping bills, but the big bill that was introduced that has serious implications for openness and accountability and access to information was Bill 9, which makes it easier for the government to avoid responding to access to information requests. Can't hold the government accountable if you don't have information. So, we're really pressing on that.

[01:50]
We've had some visits from folks that are impacted by this budget and the cuts to the legislature. Pender Island Food Bank was a great visit. Can you imagine 32 children on Pender needing to access a food bank? Then we had a visit from housing organizations on the Gulf Islands that have had the rug pulled out from them for projects that were shovel ready, so people desperately needing housing who can't get it.

[02:25]
Last but not least, we had a visit from representatives of the Saanich Peninsula Outreach Team (SPOT), which provides health care. Their clinic is closing, and there's going to be over 500 folks in the riding that need access to doctors and don't have it. And that's on top of the 15,000 that still don't have a doctor. So that's a big issue.

[02:55]
Balcony solar. We're working with a firm in the riding to bring balcony solar to BC, which would be great because it's a great way to use the sun rather than having to pay energy costs to BC Hydro. Great way to improve affordability.

[03:15]
Next segment of the session will have a huge focus on Indigenous reconciliation and ensuring that we're treating each other respectfully, but also dealing effectively with the impacts of recent court decisions. So stay tuned for that.

[03:35]
That's it in a nutshell. In the video log, you'll see links to lots more information on speeches and question period and topics we've been dealing with. So, I'd really encourage you to have a look and also check out our website because for me, it's a real honor to work with you and represent you in the legislature.

[03:55]
And it's hugely important that I have an opportunity to sit down with you and talk about the issues and hear your concerns because I want to make sure that I'm representing you in the best way I can. Fasten your seat belts. The next six weeks are going to be quite something. Thank you.