An eventful summer in Columbia River-Revelstoke

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Posted: September 26, 2018

MLA Report

By Doug Clovechok

After an eventful summer in the Constituency, I am returning back to Victoria at the end of September. The Legislative House sits on October 1. Meeting with constituents and community groups face-to-face provides me with the opportunity to hear about what issues are most important to you. When I return to the Legislature I will be well-informed and ready to serve those who live in Columbia River-Revelstoke.

At home in Columbia River-Revelstoke

BC wildfires

The Meachen Creek fire on August 20. BCWS photo

As we know there were many fires in our riding over the season. Unfortunately, some made their presence too close to our communities. The Meachan Creek Fire Complex near Kimberley was pegged at 9,000+ hectares and was responsible for an evacuation ‘order’ for over 60 homes in the St. Mary Valley (SW of Kimberley), as well as an ‘alert’ for the entire City of Kimberley. Residents of Ta Ta Creek (north of Kimberley) were on ‘alert’ from the Lost Dog Fire.

I worked closely with Mayor Don McCormick and the City of Kimberley to ensure all the necessary provincial resources were available. There were many long and stressful hours dedicated to ensure the protection and safety of the community, families, and businesses.

I want to recognize: The City of Kimberley, Mayor McCormick and council and Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area E Director Jane Walter for their steadfast leadership; Kimberley Fire Chief Rick Prasad and RCMP Detachment commander Sgt. Chris Newel – all their members and volunteers for managing evacuation plans, keeping evacuated homes safe, and showing your friendly faces to calm our nerves.

The Cross River Fire, also in our riding near Kootenay National Park, received an evacuation ‘order,’ affecting Nipika Mountain Resort, Baymag Mines, and Wolfe Mining Inc.

Over 60 employees were without work for almost six weeks. With that in mind I sent a letter to the Minister of Jobs, Trade, & Technology in hopes of securing some relief for these workers. Fortunately, we were able to get everyone back to work before getting a response from the minister.

I saw first-hand the hard work and dedication the women and men of BC Wildfire Service gave to protect all we love. To all communities affected by the fires, you pulled together in a calm and rational manner while preparing for the worst; I told outsiders that it was your true Kootenay grit!

Proportional Representation (PR)

I’ve been working hard at helping people understand the concept of PR; voters will receive a ballot by mail this October. PLEASE VOTE & MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT: there is NO minimum threshold for voter turnout.

This referendum should have been done after B.C. residents received more info and details from the BC NDP. We are lacking way too many details on the proposed changes. PR represents a change in how you elect your local MLA – the person who represents and is accountable to you in Victoria. I implore each of you to research PR, to understand the implications of what the proposed system entails, and how it will affect your community in rural B.C.

In B.C. and Canada, we use First-Past-the-Post (FPTP); this has worked, and is transparent. On the October ballot we will be asked to either keep FPTP, or start using DM, MM, or RU. Two of the proposed PRs have not been used anywhere in the world; one was created by a university student, and another behind BC NDP’s closed doors.

Where is the simple yes or no ballot that Premier John Horgan promised everyone? Another promise broken.

These three options are complicated, but here’s a ‘Coles-notes’ version.

* Dual Member PR: Two MLAs will be elected from either the same party or differing parties. The riding sizes have not been made public to us; however, we do know that they will increase vastly in size (ie: Columbia River-Revelstoke/ Kootenay East/ Kootenay West/ Nelson-Creston will be lumped together along with the southern Okanagan, and/or the Shuswap ridings. I have serious concerns with the Dual Member option because two MLAs cannot properly represent such a vast area.

* Mixed Member PR: Voters will pick local and regional MLAs (at least 40% of the MLAs will be picked from a party list, and there is zero guarantee that the MLAs will live in your riding). Riding sizes in the rural areas will again become very large to accommodate the extra ‘regional’ MLA’s seats.

* Rural-Urban PR: Urban voters will select up to six candidates per party (in order of their preference); Rural voters will do the same as the Mixed member PR (local and regional MLAs). Riding sizes have not been made public, but will again be very large; also parties can pick from their own internal lists of MLAs (zero guarantee of local MLAs).

FYI: When I receive the ballot at home, I will only select “Keep FPTP”, then I’ll mail it back, right away.

Regardless of your party preference, can a MLA from Surrey truly represent your issues in rural B.C.?

You won’t have the option to vote for the candidate that you may know personally (and have a good understanding of their values). Party bosses will choose many of the MLAs instead of being chosen by constituents.

There are 26 registered parties in B.C.; PR encourages parties to create coalitions… this is where fringe parties achieve great success, such as the far right-wing anti-immigration party in Sweden, where a version of PR has been implemented.

If a big- tent party needs to join forces with the ‘anti-technology’ party in order to get 57% of the votes in the province – how will that look? What would that coalition do to our province’s programs and future?

UBCM

The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) was formed to provide a common voice for local government; their role is as important today as it was 100 years ago. The UBCM reflects the truth in the old adages “strength in numbers,” and “united we stand, divided we fall.” I was very pleased to attend the UBCM conference this month to offer my support to our elected municipal leaders from the City of Revelstoke, Town of Golden, District of Invermere, Village of Canal Flats, CSRD Area A (Cathcart), RDEK Area G Director (Wilkie), and RDEK Area F Director (Booth). Unfortunately, the City of Kimberley was busy co-hosting the BC 55+ Games that week… till next year Kimberley!

My job as MLA is to understand and support the issues and initiatives our local governments are working on.

The following is a list of some of the meetings or presentations I attended at UBCM:

• Karen Cathcart (CSRD ‘A’) and Minister of Agriculture discussing Class licenses for local animal processing;

• Town of Golden and FLNRORD Minister regarding the creation of a Golden Community Forest;

• FLNRORD Minister regarding the Columbia Valley  Community Forest, and the Columbia Valley Recreational  Access Management Plan;

• Town of Golden & Minister of Transportation regarding the  Kicking Horse Bridge & the Trans Canada Highway;

• FORTIS BC, Canadian Petroleum Producers of Canada, and  Craft Cannabis Association, BC Professional Firefighters Association, and Equal Voice: Women in Politics;

• City of Revelstoke & Ministry of Environment regarding the need for a Conservation Officer, and the need for an air  quality monitoring system;

• City of Revelstoke & Ministry of FLRORD regarding wildlife management, and Caribou protection;

• Assoc. of Kootenay & Boundary Local Governments, where I accepted an award on behalf of the City of Kimberley

In the constituency offices

Our offices hear from many of you every day; our goal is to offer support for all provincial issues, or refer you to the appropriate agency.

Here are some of the issues that you have been bringing to our attention in the entire region: Air Quality Monitoring Stations; ICBC driver test schedules; Employee shortage for tourism/hospitality industry; Landlord/Tenant issues.

Kimberley: BC Hydro crisis fund; Rental housing assistance; Implement notification of swimmers itch.

Columbia Valley: New business assistance; seniors and the arts; development concerns at Lake Windermere.

Golden: Travel for Medical Services; PST exemptions; Burn pile application; herbicide treatment on Crown land.

Revelstoke: WorkSafeBC case files; recreational trail development concerns; boat launch; E-bike policy.

EVENTS & MEETINGS IN THE RIDING – ATTENDED

– Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) Conference

– Women’s Business Excellence Awards

– Golden Sikh Temple Celebration

– Interior Lumber Manufacturers’ Association (ILMA) Conference

– Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

– Tour of Bugaboos with Min. of Trans

– Inaugural Flight for West Jet  at Cdn. Rockies Airport