MLA Minute
MLA questions need for premier's new advisors
Premier David Eby recently announced the appointment of three new special advisors to help tackle the pressing issues of his government. These new advisors will...
Helping farmers with the backlog in foreign worker approvals
If you have been to the grocery store lately, you know how expensive food has become. Part of that, is outside of government’s control. But part is a...
Closure of children's development centre in Kelowna points to bigger problem
Starbright Children’s Development Centre in Kelowna announced it was closing this past week, sending shock waves through the autism community. This...
MLA lays out her priorities for 2023
The beginning of the year provides such a great opportunity to refresh goals, reset priorities, and renew focus on what’s important. As an MLA, I am...
Kelowna-area MLA doesn't expect much change by government in 2023
2022 was a big year. The year started with us thinking about COVID and the new Omicron variant but ended on a much different note, with concerns about...
A different kind of wish list for the new year
By the time you read this, Christmas will have just passed. While material gifts can be fun and bring temporary joy, I wanted to give you a different kind of...
Can ICBC afford to freeze insurance rates for the next 2 years?
Today I spent a few hours at Kelowna Toyota wrapping presents for Kelowna Santas — a toy drive and fundraiser for those in need. Csek Creative puts on...
The role of an official Opposition critic
Last week, the new premier of B.C. (David Eby) announced his cabinet, with additional cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries. The larger (cabinet)...
Decision to ban Sally Ann kettles outside liquor stores wrong
This last week was filled with incredible Christmas celebrations and events in the community. It’s a time of year where the lights, the festivities and...
Government change to autism funding plan a win for kids
Over the last year, I have been standing up for children with autism and their families. Last October, the B.C. government announced it would change its autism...
Government rushing through important housing legislation
By the time you read this, B.C.’s newly sworn-in premier David Eby will have introduced two new housing bills, with one week left in the (legislative)...
Issue of food security needs to be dealt with now
A recent survey showed 20% of all respondents are reducing meal sizes or skipping meals in order to save money. That is in addition to food bank use up 40% and...
Growing wait times for cancer treatment are a matter of life and death
Cancer is a ticking time bomb. Specialists are warning about the tsunami of cancer that is about to ensue. They are also warning they are seeing later stage...
MLA calls for government to scrap new autism funding plan
Why would the government change something that is working well? Parents of children with autism have been asking this question. As we know, they forge an...
New premier needs to follow through on promises of action
David Eby became the leader of the NDP last week, and thus the Premier Delegate for our province. So while we may have to wait a couple of weeks for Eby to be...
MLAs should forgo a pay increase for next year
The best part of writing this column each week, is the feedback I receive from those who take the time to share it with me. I love reading each email I receive,...
Heartbreaking stories of health care problems
As the B.C. Legislative Assembly resumed this week, your stories were told. Your voices were brought to Question Period, to try and get answers and improve the...
Government needs to deliver of promise of free contraception
It is expensive to be a woman. Yes, there are hair products, clothes, nail products and makeup, but then there are feminine hygiene products and contraception....
B.C.'s health care system is in crisis says MLA
If you have read this column over the last few months, you know I’ve written frequently about our health care system, mostly our primary system, where a...
Paying for government services we're not getting
Growing up, my grandfather taught me the value of a dollar. He used to tell me, “Pay up as you go up, so that when you get up, you are up.” He...