In 1930, the Ruskin Dam was built in the heart of Kwantlen First Nation territory, in an area with significant spiritual and cultural meaning to the Kwantlen people. At that time, the principles of respectful consultation and engagement were not the norm. Reconciliation had not yet begun to be stitched into the fabric of our […]
Celebrating our differences
When I first arrived in Canada the very first job I got was counselling people over the phone. I was nervous to help others tackle complicated issues in my second language but I was thrilled to have the opportunity. Early on in my work, I received a particularly challenging call. While attempting to assist a […]
Moving kids from long waitlists into learning centres
For far too long families across the province have struggled to find affordable, quality care for their children. In some communities, it’s because there aren’t enough spaces, and in some, because there aren’t enough staff. Being only accessible by ferry means that families on the upper and lower Sunshine Coast have had a particularly […]
Celebrating Labour Day
For many British Columbians, the first Monday of September is a chance to enjoy a long weekend, mark the end of summer, and prepare for the start of the new school year. However, let’s not forget why we call this annual holiday Labour Day. The origins of Labour Day can be traced to 1872 when […]
Loud and Proud: Creating Safe Spaces for All
We are a government for the people, and I mean all people. These are the values we campaigned on and now elected as government, we continue to work for everyone by ensuring that every single person is heard. One community in particular with historic levels of under-representation in politics and other positions of power are […]
Local flavours, straight from the farm to your table
Perched next to the Courtenay River stands a rustic heritage building, which is home to one of my favourite restaurants, Locals. When it opened in 2008, with award-winning chef Ronald St. Pierre at the reigns, it was the first restaurant in the city devoted to showcasing local food and drink. When I eat at […]
Changing the way we move
When I was 18 I was injured in a car accident, and in order to recover, I took up cycling. Since then, it has become a big source of enjoyment in my life. I’ve raced both home and abroad and even started my own business importing and manufacturing bicycles. Cycling has improved not only my […]
Better mental health and addictions care in schools renews hope for students and families
When I was a teenager, one of my brothers began showing signs of mental illness. He was 17. In the mid-1980s there was a great deal of stigma around mental illness and there were no real supports in the community or in schools. My family had no idea what to do or how to handle […]
Words of Hope
ÍY SC̸ÁĆEL. ÍY, C̸NES QENOṈE ṮÁ. These were the words spoken in the Legislative Assembly by Lieutenant-Governor Janet Austin this past March. They mean, “Good day. It’s good to see you all,” in SENĆOŦEN – the language of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. I find it inspiring that the LG is advancing reconciliation by learning one […]
Standing up for our coast
B.C.’s beautiful coast has long been a part of our community identity, an economic driver, and an international tourist destination. Ten of thousands of jobs rely on this space being clean and well protected. As a Burnaby resident, I share in the community’s concern over another spill. Many will remember that in 2007, there was […]
CleanBC Supports Affordable, Lower-Carbon Living
On Bowen Road in Nanaimo, there’s a building complex that doesn’t look quite like anything else around it: Nuutsumuut Lelum, a new joint housing project from the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre and BC Housing, is cedar-sided and built to an internationally recognized ultra-efficient energy use standard called “Passive House”. It’s a new home to 25 Indigenous […]
Making sure you are safe at work
Ensuring the safety of workers was one of the reasons I first became politically active, and it will always be an issue I care about. For decades, farmworkers were left out of any legislated labour protections. Unfortunately, it was common for workers to be severely injured or even killed as a result of unsafe working […]
Heroic SAR Rescue a moment of pride for British Columbians
This past weekend’s dramatic rescue of two American children from Burke Mountain led by Coquitlam’s Search and Rescue group is an important reminder of how fortunate we are to live here in British Columbia, where selfless volunteer-driven Search and Rescue Groups spring into action at a moments’ notice, saving lives. I don’t think I’m the […]
An Empathetic Approach to Addressing Violence
Content Warning: This article refers to sexual and intimate violence. Before entering politics, I worked at the grassroots level as a counsellor with VictimLink. I coordinated services for women and children whose lives were impacted by a near constant threat of violence. That is why April was an important month for me and […]
Cracking Down on Dirty Money
It is now overwhelmingly clear that money laundering has been a huge problem in BC for years, affecting not only our casinos but also our real estate market, contributing to skyrocketing home prices. The Decade of Dirty Money happened largely because the government at the time refused to act and chose to look the other […]
Why healthcare for people in the Tri-Cities is going to get a whole lot better
Back in 2014 my community was facing a big problem. Wait times at Eagle Ridge hospital were stretching for hours. Overcrowding left patients waiting for care from beds in the hallways. Health care providers were stretched thin. It was clear that the Emergency Room was in desperate need of expansion, but the path forward was […]