The session in Victoria ended last week with the government arrogantly forcing closure on a number of bills. The carbon tax, the gag law, TILMA – all were pushed through the legislature at 5pm on Thursday afternoon. It was another sad moment for our democratic system in BC.

As an opposition we were unable to debate fully these crucial pieces of legislation. We were vociferously opposed to Bill 42 – which restricts third party advertising for 60 days ahead of an election. I spoke about the erosion of free speech as well as the other concern the NDP had about the bill – that it prevents homeless people from registering to vote.

While we had the chance, we challenged the Minister of Forests about the destruction of our forest industry under his watch. In question period I was able to raise concerns about the inadequacy of the training package for laid off forest workers; and I invited the Minister of Foreststo meet with workers in Campbell River who have lost their jobs as a result of his policies.

Earlier, as a member of the public accounts committee, I was able to ask questions about forest worker safety, when we discussed the Auditor General’s report on safety in the forest industry. The Auditor describes a dire situation with a “race to the bottom” undermining safety concerns for many companies.

I was again to raise North Island issues in the resumption of health estimates later in the week; the access women have to mammogram’s if they do not have a family doctor, as is the case for a number of women in the north Island.

And I was able to establish that the letters patent for the renewed regional hospital board will be signed in a few weeks. They are a legal necessity for the board to operate, in the wake of the split of the two regional districts.

In my role as Women’s Rights critic, I asked the Solicitor General for an update on activities his ministry is doing to reduce violence against women. Earlier this month a very comprehensive report was published by his ministry which addresses this issue, and I was hoping that action has started on some of the many recommendations. However I was told that those recommendations are still being reviewed.

Earlier I had organised a meeting between the solicitor general and representatives of Mount Waddington Regional District and was able to introduce them in the Legislature.

I also was pleased to introduce the recipient of a newly introduced child care award, Monica Neritini who is from Campbell River and works at Cape Mudge.

The last day was a very busy one, and I was unfortunately unable to meet with First Nations who had come to the Legislature as part of the Day of Protest, but I was able to acknowledge Dan Smith, from Campbell River Band.

And not having seen him in the gallery the previous day, I took the liberty of introducing Stephen Frame, also from Campbell River, who had come to Victoria to discuss the concerns of the Trial Lawyers Association about restricted access to justice.

The government wants to restrict democracy, restrict freedom of speech, restrict transparency and restrict access to justice. Those are the actions of a government that is fearful of the people it is supposed to represent.

I have been very proud to stand up on behalf of the people of the north island in the Legislature throughout this session, as well as to work on my position as child care and women’s right critic. I have tried to question and to challenge the government on its actions.

For the next few months – at least until the fall – I will be back in the constituency, meeting with people, discussing concerns and issues that we face. The legislature may not be in session but there’s still a lot of work to be done – on the regional hospital, on cuts to education, on our ferries, and on our forest industry.

If you want to get in touch, do not hesitate to call my constituency office in Campbell River at 250 287 5100 or 1 866 387 5100, or email me at claire.trevena.mlaleg.bc.ca.
www.clairetrevena.ca