What to Expect
Opposition leader Kevin Falcon handily won the Vancouver-Quilchena byelection last weekend. Having Falcon in the Legislature will change the dynamic of the political conversation. Expect the governing NDP to emphasize the perceived failings of past Liberal governments given that Falcon was a minister in a number of Liberal governments.
Falcon’s win doesn’t change the fundamentals of B.C. politics – Premier Horgan and the NDP remain relatively popular – but it is likely to change the tone.
The Week That Was
Vancouver Island residents will soon have increased access to surgeries with Island Health’s purchase and leasing of assets from View Royal Surgical Centre and Seafield Surgical Centre. The addition will allow residents access to 2,300 more surgeries and 2,300 more endoscopies each year.
The province has announced the opening of its first public hydrogen-fuelling station in partnership with 7-Eleven Canada.
Last week, an all-party committee that consists of B.C. MLAs called on the province to remove the RCMP in favour of a provincial police force under the argument of ensuring consistency in training, leadership, and polices.
The NDP government introduced the Anti-Racism Data Act to the Legislature. The bill would create a new data innovation program within B.C. Stats to analyze demographic data to identify systemic racism and inequities which will allow the government to change programs and services to address those gaps.
Orders in Council
OIC 228/2022 – Appoints Christopher Wieczorek as a Ministerial Advisor within the Office of the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, effective May 3, 2022.
OIC 239/2022 – Appoints Jennifer McGuire as an Assistant Deputy Minister, Emergency Management B.C. within the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, effective May 9, 2022.
OIC 240/2022 – Appoints Colin Farrell Ward as an Assistant Deputy Minister within the Ministry of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship, effective May 24, 2022.
