Media Statement: September 27th, 2016
PNW Approval Fails Climate Tests
For Immediate Release

Victoria, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Leader of the BC Green Party issued the following statement following the Federal Government’s approval of the PNW LNG facility:

“I am thoroughly disappointed in the Federal Government’s approval of the Pacific Northwest LNG facility late yesterday even though market conditions are such that it almost certainly will never be built. The Federal government is now chasing the exact same roller coaster economics that the BC Liberals committed themselves to with their LNG hype 4 years ago, and all the instability and uncertainty that it brings.

“In an initial review of the conditions provided, I am confident that the Federal government is not living up to its own rhetoric about taking climate change seriously. This project represents one of the single biggest sources of carbon pollution in the country. What’s worse, is that it sends the wrong message to the international community about Canada’s commitment to its international obligations.

“In signing the Paris climate agreement Trudeau stated: ‘Today, with my signature, I give you our word that Canada’s efforts will not cease… Climate change will test our intelligence, our compassion and our will. But we are equal to that challenge.’ Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau broke his word.

“British Columbians are increasingly uncertain about the path our province is on, and they only need to look next door in Alberta to see what happens when a single resource is prioritized above an innovative and diverse economy. I am constantly surprised by the narrow vision that the BC Liberals have for our economy.

“I believe our opportunities lie not in developing yet another GHG intensive fossil fuel resource, but in building on our strengths – our abundant renewable resources and our educated workforce in developing an economy that becomes an innovation hub for the world.

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Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary
1 250 216 3382
mat.wright@leg.bc.ca

Today my office sent another letter to the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations regarding yet another derelict vessel that has washed up on the beach at Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay.

Recall that earlier this year I sent a letter to the Minister concerning a number of vessels that washed up after a winter storm. His response was not very reassuring. It suggested that both the province and federal government are mired in jurisdictional squabbles. As I noted earlier, what is desperately needed is a “one stop shopping” phone number and a timely remediation process for derelict vessels that end up on  our British Columbia beaches.

Below I reproduce the the letter that I sent. I am hoping we get a timely response to this urgent matter.

Letter to Minister Thomson

September 22, 2016

Via Email to: FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

Honourable Steve Thomson
Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
Room 248, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4

Dear Minister Thomson:

Re: Derelict wreck on Cadboro Bay foreshore (27 foot sailboat “Odin”)

Once again, I am writing with respect to the ongoing problem of derelict wrecks on the Provincial Crown foreshore of Cadboro Bay at Gyro Beach in Saanich. My office is hearing from many concerned residents and the Cadboro Bay Residents Association (“CBRA”) about the danger these wrecks pose to the public.

The latest occurrence is the 27 foot sailboat “Odin” (serial number 6E4422) which is resting on its side in an area of the beach which is heavily used by people of all ages. I have attached photos that provide evidence of how hazardous this vessel is to the public. In fact, only moments before these photos were taken, two small children were playing near (and attempting to climb on) the boat before the adults with them whisked them away from the danger.

In previous correspondence to me on February 5, 2016, you have indicated that dealing with problem vessels on Crown foreshore is complex and can involve multiple levels of government and that the BC government works collaboratively to find solutions. In the case of the “Odin”, I am writing to ask the Provincial Government to take necessary steps to deal with this matter as soon as possible.

Would you kindly respond at your earliest convenience to advise me on the status of the removal of this vessel, which poses a danger to the public every day it remains there.

I look forward to your reply.

Best wishes

Andrew Weaver, MLA
Oak Bay-Gordon Head

Today I had the honour of participating in the kick off to the 2016 Mustard Seed pie off challenge. The goal of their pie off campaign is to raise $100,000 and 100,000 lbs of food before October 31, 2016. Last year they raised $42,000 and 40,000 lbs of food in the 2015 pie off challenge.

Mustard Seed has “been essential in fighting hunger and restoring faith to a large portion of people living in poverty, as well as the working poor, in greater Victoria since 1975″. And last year I rose in the Legislature to celebrate their more than 40 years of service to our community.

Attending the pie off commencement with me was Del Manak, Acting Chief Constable of the Victoria Police Department. Now it’s not often that you get a chance to put a pie in the face of the Chief Constable of your local police force. So shortly after Chief Constable Manak challenged all the principals in Great Victoria schools to initiate their own pie off, I took great pleasure in assisting Del Manak in completing his challenge. But I should have been a little less exuberant. A few minutes later, Chief Constable Manak pied me.

Just prior to being pied, and unbeknownst to them, I challenged:

1. Jamie Cassels, President of the University of Victoria
2. Tony Joe, Realtor with RE/MAX Camosun – Oak Bay
3. Lisa Helps, Mayor of the City of Victoria.

Will they accept? Stay tuned.

Finally, for those who might be wondering what the pie was made of, I am saddened to report that it wasn’t pie at all. But of course it wasn’t, Mustard Seed could not be seen to be wasting food. The pie was actually nothing more than lightly fragranced (for sensitive skin) Gillette foamy!

Video of Pie Off

Deciding who is allowed to drive and when a driver should have their license revoked is an incredibly important decision that weighs personal freedom against public safety. It’s a tough job tasked to the B.C. Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles in the Ministry of Justice, who then enlists the assistance of driving programs and medical professionals to carry out assessments that inform their decisions. Some, like the written and driving tests many of us took at 16, introduce British Columbians to the driving world. Others, like the Driver’s Medical Examination Report and DriveABLE, are used to ensure current drivers are continuing to drive safely.

There are 96,000 drivers over the age of 80 in B.C., according to ICBC’s 2014 statistics. While keeping our streets safe is undoubtedly the priority, ensuring that mandatory tests are respectful, fair, and effective is also of utmost importance.

Under the current system, when a driver turns 80 they are required to see their doctor for a Driver’s Medical Examination Report (DMER) every two years. The examination covers a lot of ground from eyesight to cardiovascular health to assessing the severity, progression, and treatment of any medical conditions that could affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.

This mandatory examination is not covered by provincial health care and usually costs seniors $197 every two years (the fee recommended by the British Columbia Medical Association), but the bill is left to the clinic’s discretion and has been known to range anywhere from $50 to $500. My office called two clinics in my riding; one in Oak Bay charges $105 and another in Gordon Head charges $125.

I agree with the concerns that the Office of the B.C. Seniors Advocate has raised in the past about the indiscriminate DMER pricing scheme. Given that this is a mandatory test for drivers over the age of 80, and that is must be repeated every two years, I believe the cost should be covered by provincial health care. Seniors who are getting their DMER assessments done regularly are doing their part to ensure our streets stay safe. I do not think that is something they should be financially penalized for.

If a person passes DMER with flying colours, as we always hope they will, they are free to enjoy another two years of safe driving. If the doctor notices a potential problem during the examination, however, it will be reported to RoadSafetyBC. As the agency that oversees driver licensing, RoadSafetyBC will look at the doctor’s report and determine if the patient is going to lose their license or go for additional testing. When the doctor’s concerns relate to cognitive issues that could interfere with driving abilities, the patient may be instructed to take the DriveABLE examination.

Only a small percentage of seniors who go through the DMER process are referred to DriveABLE. A private company based in Alberta developed the DriveABLE program. The company has had a contract with the B.C. government since 2005 and receives roughly $420 from the province every time someone is tested. The test is done on a computer and is 60 to 90 minutes long and can be daunting to seniors with limited computer or video game experience. If the computer assessment is failed, as it often is, drivers can then request an on-road evaluation to demonstrate their safe driving abilities.

So what is the purpose of the BC Government making seniors jump through the costly DriveABLE hoop when they can ultimately appeal a DriveABLE test failure and ask for an on-road evaluation. It makes no sense to me. It strikes me as for more sensible to just dump the DriveABLE screening and go straight to the on road test. The monies saved in this process could be used to eliminate the DMER cost to seniors

When the time comes to see your doctor for a DMER, Steve Wallace, the owner of Wallace Driving School on Vancouver Island and former vice-president of the Driving School Association of the Americas, recommends bringing a record of your driving history. You can get a copy of your driver’s abstract, the driving record for the past five years, free of charge at any ICBC testing facility.

If you have ideas about how the driving assessment process could be improved in B.C. please feel free to contact my constituency association office at (250) 472-8528 or my legislature office by phone at (250) 387-8347, email at Andrew.Weaver.MLA@leg.bc.ca, or mail at Andrew Weaver, Room 027C Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC, V8V 1X4.

Media Statement September 15, 2016
Andrew Weaver Renews Call to Reform Medical Service Premiums
For Immediate Release

Victoria, B.C. – While a freeze in Medical Service Plan (MSP) premium increases is certainly welcome, the government has lost the opportunity to fully reform this regressive tax says Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay – Gordon Head and Leader of the B.C. Green Party.

“British Columbians will see this MSP announcement for what it is, a cynical ploy to gain votes as we head into an election year”, says Andrew Weaver. “We need to eliminate the MSP, not simply tinker around its edges.”

“Over the last three years I have consistently and continually called for the MSP to rolled into the income tax system with premiums calculated on taxable income rather than the current system which is a flat tax no matter what people earn.” says Andrew Weaver. “This would turn a regressive tax into a fair system much like has already been done in Ontario”

In Ontario, if you earn $20,000 or more a year you pay the Ontario Health Premium (OHP). It ranges from $0 if your taxable income is $20,000 or less, and goes up to $900 per year if your taxable income is more than $200,600. Instead of the mail-out system we have in BC, the OHP is deducted from the pay and pensions of those with employment or pension income that meets the minimum threshold.

“Remember – only Ontario’s top earners are paying $900 per year. Right now people in British Columbia are paying $900 a year regardless of whether they earn $42,000 or $4,200,000 a year.”

“As Leader of the BC Green Party I can affirm that a B.C. Green Party government would eliminate the regressive monthly MSP premiums. Instead, a B.C. Green government would introduce a progressive system in which rates are determined by one’s earnings. And a net and substantive administrative savings to taxpayers would arise in rolling MSP premiums into the existing income tax system.” says Andrew Weaver

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Background:

Call to eliminate MSP premiums:

Moving Forward with MSP premiums:

Media contact:
Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
1 250 216 3382
mat.wright@leg.bc.ca