RECENTLY EXPOSED internal communications and firsthand accounts have revealed that drug use in B.C. hospitals is not only tolerated but also facilitated by current NDP policies. This ridiculous approach is endangering dedicated healthcare staff and the patients they serve.Under the NDP's failed decriminalization policy...

LAST SUMMER, B.C. saw its most devastating wildfire season on record. Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate from their homes, disrupting lives and communities. As the impacts of climate change continue to accelerate, I think it's clear to all of us that we need to take bold steps to keep people safe, prot...

LAST WEEK, OUR BC UNITED CAUCUS raised concerns about allegations suggesting that the accounting firm MNP engaged in practices that present conflicts of interest in administering two CleanBC carbon tax-funded grant programs. Edison Motors, a B.C.-based electric logging truck company, raised the issue when they claimed ...

MOST LANDLORDS AND TENANTS have a good, healthy relationship and play by the rules. But we all know there are some bad actors out there that take advantage of the system. That's why last week our government took action to better protect renters and landlords. Too many people have been served an eviction notice so that ...

RECENTLY, WE UNCOVERED A SHOCKING MEMO sent to nurses that permits the use of drugs and weapons in hospital rooms.The entire memo is outrageous - under the NDP, illicit drug use and even drug trafficking in hospitals are not just tolerated but endorsed.Bravely, nurses are coming forward with horrifying stories of daily...

EVERY DAY, more and more people are choosing cycling, running and walking for daily travel instead of driving a car. This also gives people opportunities to enjoy nature, get active and be an important part of building healthy, green, thriving communities.As such, there is a growing demand for infrastructure like trail...

IF YOU'VE EVER EMBARKED ON an entrepreneurial journey of any kind, you may have experienced some feelings of loneliness along the way - especially if you're operating solo, it's common to feel isolated. It can be difficult for anyone else to understand the intimate details of your business and the challenges that you a...

AS CANADIANS BRACE for the carbon tax hike planned on April 1, seven of Canada's ten provincial premiers have urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reverse the decision. Most recently, the B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation visited Premier David Eby's Vancouver constituency office on March 21, urging h...

WITH DAVID EBY STILL PLANNING to increase B.C.'s carbon tax on April 1, our BC United Caucus continues to call on the NDP to halt the hike. British Columbians are facing an affordability crisis with the cost of living higher than ever, folks simply can't afford another government tax grab that only adds to the financia...

THE DEVASTATING FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES in November 2021 were incredibly challenging and frightening for people, especially throughout the Fraser Valley. We have learned a lot about flood mitigation and emergency preparedness since, including the importance of working together with local communities and First Nations. We...

DESPITE A MAJOR AFFORDABILITY CRISIS currently gripping British Columbia, the NDP government is proceeding with their planned 23 percent carbon tax increase on April 1. It's the latest in a string of 32 new and increased taxes under David Eby and the NDP that will only increase cost-of-living pressures and make life mo...

THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE in British Columbia are our greatest strength. Over the past few years, we've seen our population grow. People want to live and raise their families in our communities. But at the same time, the impacts of climate change are putting pressure on some of our community infrastructure. That's why your ...

EVERY BRITISH COLUMBIAN deserves access to timely and dignified health care. This week in the B.C. legislature, I shared the heart-wrenching story of an elderly man from my community who was neglected in a hospital bed, left with his feet hanging over the rails to avoid laying in his own waste. The lack of basic care a...

AN ACCESSIBLE, HIGH-QUALITY and sustainable healthcare system is a top priority for British Columbians, and it is for us, too. British Columbians should have a healthcare system that is there to meet their evolving needs. David Eby and our government are making record-setting investments in recruiting and training more...

ONE OF THE CORE FUNCTIONS of our provincial government is the responsibility to look after British Columbians, ensuring people have access to health care, education and safe communities. But right now, people do not feel safe in their communities. Over the last few years, we've noticed rising rates of crime and street ...

A FEW WEEKS AGO, our government announced Budget 2024, outlining actions we're taking to address the cost of living for British Columbians. Despite rising global inflation, we are committed to supporting people here in B.C. by putting more money back into their pockets through new and expanded programs that help addres...

WHEN DAVID EBY BECAME PREMIER OVER A YEAR AGO, he promised to deliver results that people could see, feel, and touch.Last week, the NDP delivered their 8th and final budget before the 2024 election, Eby's final chance to deliver on his promises to British Columbians. Unfortunately, this budget maintains the status quo ...

LAST WEEK, MY COLLEAGUES AND I returned to Victoria for our first week back in the legislature. Our government presented our Throne Speech and Budget 2024, which lays out our priorities for a stronger British Columbia that focuses on the things that matter most to British Columbians.My colleagues and I know that housin...

EARLIER THIS WEEK DAVID EBY and the NDP made their Speech from the Throne, a sneak peek at what to expect with their upcoming budget. However, if the proposed budget is anything like their throne speech, there is little hope on the horizon for the millions of British Columbians struggling to make ends meet.In classic N...

THIS TUESDAY (Feb. 20), the City of Kamloops held its 2024 budget consultation to inform the residents of how the budgeting process works and the supplemental budget items. The city staff have put on another successful event - staff, council and the mayor were all on hand. It was a great chance to catch up and learn ab...

I HEAR ALL THE TIME in my office about how too many rental homes are out of reach for people, even if they make a decent, middle-class wage, and how people are feeling forced to spend more than half of their income on housing alone. Global inflation, high interest rates, rising construction costs and their effect on th...

FOR MANY, A NEW YEAR signals a fresh start that allows them to put the past year behind them. Unfortunately, for many families who have been impacted by wildfires and floods, this year is just another reminder of the delays they have dealt with and the challenges they've faced trying to rebuild their homes.More familie...

ENHANCING ACCESS TO CANCER CARE services for people in British Columbia is a top health care priority of our government. This past week, I was in Kamloops to announce the business plan approval for the new BC Cancer Centre at Royal Inland Hospital. Normally, business planning takes approximately 18 months, but our incr...

PUBLIC LAND BELONGS TO THE PUBLIC. It's a simple concept and one that I am sure the vast majority of British Columbians agree with. We elect representatives to make land management decisions on our behalf, but in a democratic system, there is an understanding that those decisions will be made considering the public's b...

SMARTPHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA help students keep in touch with friends and family, and access virtual learning opportunities. But there are also risks associated with kids being online. Ensuring the safety of children in British Columbia is always a top priority for our government, and that extends to online spaces. Tha...

IT'S NOTHING NEW but it's still uncomfortable, for me at least, to put a monetary value on your loved ones. How much is my mom and dad's memory worth? The city has been wrestling with the issue of memorial park benches and trees. Apparently, we aren't paying enough to remember, so the city is going to help us out and c...

WHEN YOU THINK OF FAMOUS Kamloops citizens, who comes to mind first? For me, hockey names like Don Hay, Mark Recchi, Scott Niedermayer tend to dominate, but I also remember Brett Tippie and Matt Hunter of mountain biking fame along with the notable pro pot libertarian activist Jodie Emery. Kamloops has also been home t...

TWICE IN AS MANY WEEKS, Kamloops city council has heard pleas to support our community members and their families subject to brutal losses and immense risk in Gaza, and to condemn rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. Twice, the mayor and council asked no questions, made no comments, and expressed no sympathy. Emails, ...