The environment was an issue this week in the Legislature, with the introduction of several bills which the government hope will deal with climate change.

The government wants to change the BC Utilities Commission to allow more independent power producers, it wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and it has introduced its cap and trade system which is supposed to hit the big polluters.

I was able to speak on the Utilities Commission Amendment bill and voice my serious concerns about independent power producers, and the fact that BC Hydro has to buy power from these private suppliers. The bill seriously undermines the Crown Corporation. I also commented on the fear factor the government plays on with the concept of electricity self sufficiency.

Debate has not begun on the other bills. However I am very concerned about the vehicle emissions bill’s reliance on ethanol as a solution to environmental impacts.

Growing demands for ethanol, to dilute gas, is having a huge impact on food production, and food costs throughout the world.

And the long awaited, and extremely important, “cap and trade” bill has been introduced which will start to put a cap on greenhouse gas emissions by the big polluters. I have some concerns about it, but am looking forward to the debate where we hope to get more details, in the coming weeks.

If these issues interest you, my office is organising a public meeting on Energy and the Environment on 24th April at 7pm in the Discovery Inn in Campbell River. I’ll be joined by our energy critic, John Horgan, and our environment critic, Shane Simpson.

The estimates process has begun at the Legislature, which gives us an opportunity to question ministers in detail about certain issues. This week’s focus was the Ministry of Transportation and I had the chance to see whether the Minister would take some responsibility for the Zeballos road; unfortunately he said he couldn’t afford to.

I had hoped to ask questions about the outrageous increases in BC Ferries fares as well as the cut off times but the government called a halt to Transportation estimates before I got the chance.

But I was able to give the Legislature a flavour of the activities of Campbell River with the Words on the Water Festival, the 50th anniversary of the Ripple Rock explosion and the Walk Away from Racism all on the same weekend

And I had the chance, after a raucous question period, to introduce a school group from Cortes Island .

I’ll be at the Ripple Rock anniversary events in Campbell River this weekend and back in the constituency next Friday.

I can always be contacted by phone on 287 5100 or 1 866 387 5100 or anytime on email at claire.trevena.mlaleg.bc.ca.