SPRING 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The spring session of the legislature opened this week with some pomp and ceremony around the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Adrian Dix and New Democrat MLAs were happy to be back in the house holding the government accountable for the issues that matter to British Columbians.

New shadow cabinet responsibilities were announced.  Carole James now has the key responsibility of addressing growing inequality in B.C., as part of her new role as the critic for social development. And in addition to serving as the housing critic, Shane will now also oversee the Liquor Distribution Branch, gaming policy, and ICBC.

Find out how your New Democrat MLAs are holding the government accountable in Question Period

Watch Hansard live video of Question Period.

Justice:

Adrian Dix began the session by talking about the state of the justice system in B.C.  Adrian,  Leonard Krog, Kathy Corrigan and Mike Farnworth questioned why the Liberal government continues with their wasteful obsession to put cameras in riot trial courtrooms while the real problems in the in the justice system continue to grow.  

They questioned the government's response to the ministry of finance’s own audit that points out delayed and cancelled trials and a lack of cohesion.

Kathy raised the issue of the impacts of the federal crime bill on the province’s already strained justice system.  Mike pointed to a case that resulted in death where the trial is under threat of stay, asking when the government will be able to ensure more criminals won’t walk free.

MLAs asked the Liberal government when they intended to take the issue seriously and ensure no more alleged criminals walk free, especially in light of a recent trial for an alleged internet child predator whose case was stayed due to lengthy delays.

Post-Secondary Education:

Michelle Mungall questioned why the minister of advanced education continues to be so out of touch with post-secondary students when it comes to student debt, the reinstatement of needs-based grants and student loan interest rates.

Seniors:

Katrine Conroy and Mike Farnworth pressed the premier to bring in a seniors advocate, as the least they could do in wake of a particularly damning report by the ombudsperson into the state of seniors care in British Columbia. They noted that an opposition bill is currently on the order paper and if the premier wanted, she could bring the bill back for discussion and pass it almost immediately. When Question Period ended, House Leader John Horgan moved that the house debate the bill immediately, rather than wait for the six-month consultation that the Liberals are currently planning before possibly bringing in such legislation. The Liberals refused to support John’s motion.

Citizen’s Services:

Michael Sather raised the issue of a Pitt Meadows farmer who was stuck with a $90,000 tax bill. The tax bill came as a result of the farmer’s mother passing away after a stay in hospital and then in hospice, rather than living at home. Michael asked the minister to look into the issue; the minister claimed to have not gotten the emails.

Education:

Harry Bains asked why the Liberals are continuing to fail students and parents by not delivering promised schools in Surrey.

Forests:

Adrian Dix and Norm Macdonald raised the just-released auditor general’s report on forest health. The report was very critical of the government’s handling of the forest health crisis, noting that there are no long-term government objectives for forestry. The auditor laid out six recommendations for the ministry, challenging it to set real plans in motion and to put resources in place to match that plan.

Bill Routley and Claire Trevena brought up the government’s woeful record on raw log exports. Exports of raw resources are up by 58 per cent year-over-year, with 5.5 million cubic metres being shipped offshore, taking valuable B.C. jobs with them. Bill and Claire noted that having our logs create jobs in other jurisdictions flies in the face of the premier’s so-called jobs plan.

Bullying:

Spencer Chandra Herbert questioned the Liberals about their anti-bullying strategy after filing an FOI asking for documents from the premier and education minister connected with improving conditions for lesbian, gay, bi, and trans students and receiving four blank pages in response.

Find out the the progress of legislation being debated inside the house    

Harry Lali led MLAs in second reading debate on the Auditor General for Local Government Act . MLAs spoke in opposition to the bill, saying that while we support increased accountability and transparency for government at all levels,  this legislation misses the mark.  The AGLG Act will see a new bureaucracy that lacks independence and will be under the control of the Liberal cabinet and not the legislature.

Advanced education critic Michelle Mungall went toe-to-toe with the Liberal minister on the Advanced Education Statutes Amendment Act, arguing that provisions which would prevent faculty who are active in their union from serving as elected members of the boards of post-secondary institutions are undemocratic and would do nothing to improve governance.