This week in the Legislature Claire Trevena raised several important issues raised with her by her constituents. She asked questions on child care and women’s issue and also spoke on the Public Inquiry Act.
Aquaculture
• The Special Legislative Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture met on Monday to hear from coastal mayors about their impressions of their study tour in Norway. The full text of what was said can be found at:
http://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/38thparl/session-3/aquaculture/hansard/W70312x.htm Highways
• Claire raised the state of Highway 19 where chip seal has been cracking windshields and paint. The Minister of Transportation said he’ll make sure his staff will work to resolve complaints.
• On roads, Claire also urged the Minister to upgrade the roads to Gold River, Port Alice and Coal Harbour. There’s no money in this year’s budget for more than patching; money seems to be going into the Gateway project on the lower mainland. But Claire’s pushed to make sure next year those roads will be put on the list for upgrades.
• Claire also raised the issue of those roads which are shared responsibility with the Ministry of Forests.
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/D70315y.htm Ferries
• The needs of our ferry dependant communities were also raised by Claire, who questioned the ongoing fare increases and the impact on our small communities.
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/D70315x.htm Environment
• Claire urged that Campbell River cruise ship terminal be high on the list for electrification. Electrification of the ports is a priority in the government’s green agenda; the emissions from a cruise ship can be as great as a whole town and plugging the ship into the grid will greatly improve air quality.
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70314p.htm (page 6273)
Child Care
• In her critics role this week Claire raised the issue of $40million in one time spending to child care operators – a lot of money which is being spent on toys or minor building improvements but not in a sustainable child care system.
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70315y.htm Women’s Issues
• And on women’s issues Claire has taken up two diverse issues: violence against women in intimate relationships – reintroducing a so called zero tolerance policy in violence against women.
• She also tabled a motion to try to get women ski jumping recognised as an official olympic sport in 2010. We’ve got some of the world’s best women ski jumpers who are being excluded from the sport.
http://bcndpcaucus.ca/en/ndp_calls_for_zero_tolerance_of_violence_against_women Next week is a constituency week – Claire would love to hear from you or meet with you then. To contact Claire please call (250) 286 5100 or (866) 387 5100 or email her at: claire.trevena.mlaleg.bc.ca