MLA Minute
The economic cost of CleanBC
Few in B.C. will argue that we need a plan to reduce our impact on our environment. The government’s CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 outlines the province's...
BC United's plan to deal with crime
Over the summer, I have met with hundreds of you, and talked about your concerns. In those coffee conversations, community gatherings, meetings, and even at the...
B.C.'s 'new normal' in health care is not acceptable
Last week, B.C.’s health minister, Adrian Dix, alluded to the "new normal" in B.C. healthcare—packed emergency rooms, wait times spanning...
MLA blames government for evacuees' problems
Wildfires have ripped through our beautiful Okanagan, and while the smoke and flames are now smouldering and clearing, my attention is going to how people were...
Lessons to be learned from wildfire response
"Out of difficulties grow miracles." — Jean de la Bruyere In the face of adversity, a community’s spirit is truly tested. The last few...
Okanagan defined by resilience of is residents says MLA
This week, writing is hard. Cast again into a fiery chaos, there are so many emotions that swirl. This is not new for our city (of Kelowna). I remember the last...
Impact of remote work being seen in Kelowna
The pandemic unleashed a tidal wave of remote working, upending our very notions of home and office, and igniting a revolution in how and where we conduct our...
Top three pressing concerns for Kelowna this summer
As the warm winds of summer blow across the beautiful expanse of Kelowna, the city’s heart is heavy with pressing concerns. As I have been hosting town...
Kelowna's next plan to address homelessness needs to be better
I had so much hope for (Kelowna’s) Journey Home initiative when it started. The Journey Home Society was to coordinate the efforts between BC Housing,...
Town hall meeting shows Rutland residents upset about crime
Recently, I had the opportunity to co-host a town hall meeting in Rutland alongside Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country. Rutland residents attending were...
There are a number of ways to be part of democracy
The very idea of a democracy is grounded in the concept that power is vested in the people. Our system is designed to ensure that each person has an equal...
MLA blames government for B.C.'s economic problems
B.C. has lost it’s economic bragging rights. New forecasts by the TD and RBC banks put B.C. at the very bottom of economic growth. People have slowed...
Better response to heatwaves needed
As we enjoyed the first summer long weekend, I was reminded of the summer heat dome two years ago. At that time, I was serving as the health critic, and I spent...
Time for study is over, action needed on homelessness
Last week, I hosted a visiting MLA from another riding. She asked for a tour that would highlight both the challenges Kelowna faces and the positive strides our...
The need for more housing remains a pressing problem
Looking out across Kelowna's housing landscape, it's hard to spot the hopeful glimmers many have been longing for. Unfortunately, a report by the...
The increasing occurrence of wildfire in B.C.
For the last two weeks, fires have raged across our province. My hope is for some rain in June, but most forecasts call for a dry, hot summer. The changing...
Pre-natal and maternity care in Southern Interior needs attention
It’s no secret our community is growing, and the fastest growing demographic of our population is now the younger generation. This is great news for our...
MLA accuses premier of "burying" BC Housing reports
BC Housing is a crown corporation and reports to the minister of housing. Until recently, the minister was Premier David Eby. BC Housing is in charge of...
Sending patients to U.S. for cancer care "too little, too late' says MLA
The headlines have been shocking this last week as the B.C. government announced it was going to start sending patients to Bellingham, Washington for...
Busy session for Okanagan MLA
Being in opposition isn’t easy, but it is important. Sometimes we have to drag the government, kicking and screaming, to the right decision for the...