Today I recorded a brief video message from home to the residents of Oak Bay Gordon Head on the topic of COVID-19. In the video I take the opportunity to thank all of those in our community who are helping others and keeping us safe. I also  reemphasize the importance of treating the COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures in place to slow its spread, very seriously

The video is reproduced below.

Video Message

Today Premier John Horgan, Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson, interim third party Leader Adam Olsen and I issued a joint statement about the emergency House sitting to support people and businesses affected by COVID-19. Below I reproduce the contents of this statement:

Media Statement

“COVID-19 threatens our health, our economy and our way of life. We must act now, and quickly, to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect people in our communities.

“We know that people all across B.C. are stressed and anxious about the future. Families are struggling and businesses are hurting.

“Today, Members of the Legislative Assembly joined together to pass legislation to help people and businesses affected by COVID-19.

“There’s a long road ahead of us. But we are united in ensuring the health and safety of British Columbians are protected as we respond to this unprecedented challenge.

“As party leaders, we want to take this opportunity to speak with one voice and challenge every British Columbian to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“We expect everyone to follow the advice of the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and take the steps needed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“By washing our hands, keeping a safe distance from others, staying home if we are sick, and buying only what we need, we can flatten the curve.

“The actions of each of us determine the future for all of us. No matter our politics, now is the time to come together and do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Today Carole James announced that she won’t be seeking reelection in the next provincial election. Carole has had an exemplary career as a politician both at the provincial and school board level. We have been very fortunate in British Columbia to have her steady hand guiding the province’s budget as Finance Minister for the last two years. While Carole’s voice in the legislature will surely be missed, I’m sure she’ll selflessly contribute to our community in so many other ways in the years ahead.

Thank you Carole for all that you have done for our province. You are an incredible role model to so many, including me, and I very much value your ongoing friendship.

Below I reproduce the text of the statement my office released in response to Minister James’ announcement.

Media Statement

MLA Andrew Weaver responds to Finance Minister James’ statement
For Immediate Release
March 5, 2020

Victoria, BC – Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, released the following statement in response to the announcement by Minister Carole James today that she will not be running again due to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease:

“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Minister James’ diagnosis and my thoughts are with her and her family during this difficult time. Minister James has had a distinguished career dedicated to the service of British Columbians and she has been a steady hand in this NDP government. “

“It has been a privilege to have known Minister James for over 20 years. I gained tremendous respect for her when she was Chair of the Greater Victoria Board of School Trustees and it has been an honour to work with her in the legislative assembly.”

“I am confident that she will face the challenges associated with this disease head-on and continue to be a positive influence on the direction of this province throughout the remainder of her term.”

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Media Contact:
Judy Fainstein
Executive Director
Legislative Office of Andrew Weaver, MLA

+1 250-744-7615  |  Judy.Fainstein@leg.bc.ca

Today during question period I rose to ask the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources about what appears to be regulatory inconsistencies facing the advancement of Pacific Booker’s Morrison Mine project. As you will see from the exchange below, I was not particularly impressed with the Minister’s response to my questions.

I intend to explore this issue further in the coming weeks.

Below I reproduce the video and text of the Question Period Exchange.

Video of Exchange

Question

A. Weaver: I’m sure every member of this House will agree that a stable regulatory environment is key to maintaining B.C.’s reputation as a welcoming place to do business. This means that the approval of natural resource projects must be based on scientific evidence and not politics. Yet in 2012, upon recommendation from the executive director of the environmental assessment office, the B.C. Liberals rejected the Morrison mine project proposed by Pacific Booker Minerals, despite it having received a positive environmental assessment. In justifying their decision, they cited environmental concerns about the effects of the mine on water quality in Morrison Lake and local salmon populations, despite already having a positive environmental assessment.

Despite their rejection of the Pacific Booker project, in 2013 the B.C. Liberals went to Ottawa to lobby the federal government to approve the Prosperity mine, a project that had received two negative assessments by federal review panels. There’s some suspicion that the decision around the Morrison mine had less to do with environmental concerns and more to do with political calculation.

My question is to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Has this government been able to determine why this company was treated so differently from others at the time? And how will it prevent situations like this from happening in the future?

Answer

Hon. B. Ralston: I’d like to thank the member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head for his question. I’m sure the member will appreciate that I’m not in a position to advise what led the former government to make its decision about the proposed Morrison mine. What I can say, though, is that their approach was shortsighted and certainly didn’t bring certainty to the sector.

Our government has taken a different approach. My predecessor, as minister, initiated the Mining Jobs Task Force, which worked hard with First Nations, industry and communities to find ways to strengthen this fundamental, foundational industry.

There were 25 recommendations emanating from the task force. They’ve all been accepted by government, and almost all of them have now been implemented. We have made two mining tax credits permanent, bringing immediate benefits to the B.C. mineral exploration sector by adding more certainty. We’ve invested $1 million for the mining innovation roadmap, $1 million for the Regional Mining Alliance.

As further evidence of the strengthening of the sector, the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan just signed a $300 million investment deal to provide an investment in the New Afton mine, just outside the civic boundaries of Kamloops.

Supplementary Question

A. Weaver: I must admit that was a lot of information about a lot of mines that weren’t the mine I’m actually talking about. Maybe I can try again.

A key element of the previous government’s unrealistic strategy for natural resource development revolved around, as we all know, LNG. We know that certain natural gas projects were located in areas close to the Morrison mine. Comments from groups engaged in the Pacific Booker project have indicated that the province was facing significant pressure to avoid reopening discussions around the Morrison mine in order to obtain the support necessary for the Prince Rupert gas transmission line.

The decision to reject the project had serious repercussions for Pacific Booker. Their share price plummeted, from $14.95 to $4.95 in one day, and many investors lost their life savings. What’s more is that the ministry failed to inform Pacific Booker of its intention to issue an adverse recommendation and did not provide the company with an opportunity to respond to it.

After a legal battle in which the Supreme Court found that this conduct violated standards of procedural fairness and that the environmental assessment office recommendation be presented to cabinet for reconsideration, the government once again rejected the project in order to undergo further assessment. However, in its order, the government appeared to issue unclear directions that substantially delay the process. As of 2019, in September….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

A. Weaver: As of Sep 2019, Pacific Booker had yet to be fully provided with this opportunity. My question, again, is to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. When is this firm going to have the chance to have their project undergo further assessment, as put forward by the Supreme Court?

Answer

Hon. B. Ralston: The short answer is that the company is currently working through the required regulatory processes for further assessment. The further assessment for the proposed project includes the requirement for a supplemental application information requirement. There are a number of requirements. The EAO continues to work with the company on this, and I’m advised that the latest submission was received by the EAO in December 2019.

Today in the legislature I rose to pay tribute to a constituent Lorne Frame who has recently been selected to be a member of the Order of the Legion of Honor. Originally established in 1802 by Napolean Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour remains France’s highest decoration. Below I reproduce the text and video of my two minute tribute.

Video of Statement

Text of tribute

It is a profound honour for me to rise in the house today to pay tribute to Mr. Lorne Frame, a Canadian hero who resides in the riding of Oak Bay- Gordon Head.

In 1942 at the age of 18, Mr. Frame joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. After further training in Britain he became a pilot in the 419 Canadian Bomber Squadron where he flew Lancaster bombers.

At the age of 20 and on his 13^th mission his plane was attacked by German Night Fighters. His plane was shot down on the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, south of Paris.

As he fought to control the descending plane, he ordered his crew to evacuate. He was the last person out of the plane.

After walking all night Mr. Frame found himself in the village of Barbizon. There he came into contact with an American woman by the name of Drue Tartière.

Mrs. Tartière spent the war years assisting the French Underground. As she spoke English, Mr. Frame was able to convince her that he was a member of the allied forces and not a German soldier.

Mrs. Tartière hid Mr. Frame in the back of her house where he was eventually joined by members of his crew. They stayed hidden for 7 weeks until Barbizon was liberated in August, 1944.

As befits a true hero, Mr. Frame minimizes his contributions and sacrifices. To this day he praises the women and men of the French Underground and in particular Drue Tartière.

He marvelled at their bravery. In assisting Mr. Frame and his compatriots, they risked their lives and the lives of their families and friends.

Drue Tartière documents Mr. Frame’s story, among others, in her book The House Near Paris that she published in 1947. I’ve ordered the book from AbeBooks and am eagerly awaiting its arrival so I can learn more about this remarkable story.

In recognition of his sacrifice and his service in helping liberate France from the Nazis, Mr. Frame has recently been selected to be a member of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Originally established in 1802 by Napolean Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour remains France’s highest decoration.

We are privileged to have Mr. Frame with us today in the gallery. I would like this house to join me in congratulating him.