It has been another busy week in the Legislature for the Opposition with a mixture of debates on bills and more close examination of Ministries in the estimates process.

Claire joined the debate on Bill 20, which amends the School Act, changing School Boards, bringing in another level of superintendent, bringing is school fees and establishing Strong Starts for early childhood education.

You can read Claire’s contribution to the debate at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70430p.htm#7286
And if you are interested in Claire’s participation at the Committee stage of the bill you can find it at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70501a.htm#7355 and http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70501p.htm#7378

Claire also used the opportunity of Private Members’ Time on Monday morning to talk about the importance of ferries to everyone in North Island, and across Vancouver Island and the growing concern about another round of fare increases. The debate can be found at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70430a.htm#7265

Claire raised the ongoing issues of the removal of private lands from TFL’s and the impact on the Kwakiutl First Nations aboriginal rights. Unfortunately she got little answer from the minister in question period. http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70503y.htm (at approx 1415)

Environment was on the agenda with both a bill establishing a number of conservation areas and the continued estimates debate. Claire asked about dual use in the conservation areas. http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70501p.htm#7406

She also used the estimates debate to raise questions about parks in the constituency, as well as to ask questions about environmental concerns at Quinsam Coal.
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70502p.htm#7444

With the possibility of an application for coal bed methane extraction by Quinsam, Claire also questioned the Environment Minister about assessments and safeguards on that front. http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70502p.htm#7446

May is childcare month and Claire made a statement to mark the month and the hard work of childcare workers. You can read that at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70501p.htm#7372

As a former journalist she also marked World Press Freedom day with a statement to the House: (Wednesday) http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70502p.htm#7432

Claire has critic meetings in Nelson this weekend and won’t be able to get back to the constituency. She will be back in Victoria next week.
You can always contact her at: (250) 287 5100 or (866)387 5100
email: Claire.trevena.mlaleg.bc.ca