Image Credit: BC Legislature

By Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Throne speech gives little to rural B.C.

Feb 18, 2020 | 12:22 PM

THIS WEEK IN VICTORIA brought with it numerous moments of disbelief and general head scratching. Though of course the protests and shutdown of the Legislature building were national news, and at this time protests across B.C. don’t see any sign of letting up, what I would like to touch on is what happened inside as the Lieutenant Governor read the NDP’s 2020 Throne Speech.

As expected it diverted minimally from last year’s speech as the government continue to tout their weak record and claim that all is well. But what was most concerning was the fact that there was no vision for stimulating the economy. No talks of job creation, of encouraging connections to new markets, no vision for the future of resource extraction, and most certainly no vision for rural B.C.

Rural B.C. was not even a footnote in the speech. It is so disheartening to see that this government has not heard the call of the people in our region and our communities. I was also dismayed to see nothing in store for struggling forestry workers and disenfranchised rural communities as a sector in crisis takes on massive layoffs and shutdowns announced consistently through this government’s term in office. Yet the thousands of affected workers, families and community members did not receive any of the relief they so desperately needed. The same is true regarding the reinstatement of the Rural Dividend Fund, which was pilfered from rural communities to help alleviate the pressure of the forestry crisis. How this government rationalizes taking from the very communities that need help is beyond me.

Last year I organized a Steelhead caucus tour that allowed a number of B.C. Liberal MLAs to see first-hand some of the fisheries challenges in our region. I would have loved to hear some mention of programs and actions underway to ensure their survival and abundance. This also extends to the Fraser Canyon as an under mentioned regional space that needs focus, attention and funding.

I heard no intent to increase tourism initiatives and foster growth in those communities that are struggling. What I would have loved to see is some sort of commitment to the B.C. brand. As we celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Olympics and the incredible impact it had on B.C., we should see a revitalizing effort to recapture that sense of wonder and pride for this province. As a cheerleader for the splendour of rural B.C. I would have loved to see some out of the box thinking on how to boost tourism across the province.

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My hope is that there will be some good news for rural B.C. in next week’s budget. My wish list would be actionable steps and dollars allocated to the issues I have listed above. I hope that the consistent advocacy by my colleagues and I will garner some results and resources. 2019 was a hard year for many; I hope that 2020 will provide some relief.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.