This was the week that wasn’t supposed to be, for MLAs. Usually around a public holiday we have the opportunity to be back in our constituencies to meet with people. However, because the government is trying to force through its legislation before the end of the session next week, we were in Victoria and able to question the government about what’s happening with BC Lotteries, about ferries, and about education among many other issues.

I had the opportunity to quiz the Minister of Health about the state of health care in the north island. In the estimates debate, in which we are able to ask longer questions and not necessarily get any more detailed answers, I asked about the ongoing debate around the Campbell River hospital, as well as doctors' shortages in Port Hardy and Port McNeill.

On the question of the hospital, the minister threw the ball back into VIHA’s court, saying that the health authority was having internal discussions about what to do. Earlier, in question period, he had said that Vernon hospital was getting a capital injection of $100 million, but when I asked whether a similar solution could be found for Campbell River he was evasive in his answers.

The minister also said it was up to doctors to recruit other doctors to work in the north island and gave no hope of assistance or encouragement to those who are dedicated to providing care in our northern communities. He also offered no hope for a solution for long term care in the north island after VIHA’s decision to shelve the proposal for 11 beds in Port Hardy.

I also brought to his attention the lack of speech language pathologists in the health care system and particularly in the north island. I am still awaiting a reply to a letter I wrote to the minister about that issue.

Later in the week it was the turn for the estimates debate for the Ministry of the Environment in which I was able to touch on a number of issues in our region. I was able to raise with the minister questions about provincial parks on Quadra Island, the plans for a horse trail along the Bedwell Valley in Strathcona Park, the removal of the fuel truck which sank in Robson Bight, and the issue of wolf hunting and the protection of wolves in the constituency and across the province.

The debate on the carbon tax started and ended this week with only about an hour and a half to discuss the important piece of legislation. The bill comes under the ministry of finance (because it is a tax issue) and so debate occurred at the same time as the ministry of environment estimates. We fully support the need to price carbon but are very wary about this particular tax; sadly with the government pushing through the legislation we were not able to fully debate what is perhaps one of the most important pieces of legislation this session.

In question period we were able to raise ferries as an issue two consecutive days. Firstly challenging the government on payments to the board for 5 minute meetings, at the Kingfisher Spa and then questioning the fact that BC Ferries has done a deal with a grocery store chain which would allow shoppers there to get cheaper ferry tickets . When people who depend on the ferries are facing sky rocketing fares, it is unjust that the ferry company decides this route to reduce ticket prices. It also could unfairly impact other stores, and island stores.

I had a couple of opportunities to raise concerns about the growing crisis in child care across the province. School closures in the Cowichan Valley will have a knock on effect on child care, as facilities are based in a number of those schools; and in Whistler it seems that the Olympics are more important than child care .

And it was an honour to stand in the legislature to remember the five men killed in the float plane crash off Quadra Island in 2005. There are still many outstanding questions which the family is trying to have answered; I will help them whenever I can.

I’ll be over at Quadra May Day this weekend, then back to Victoria for our final week in the spring session.

If you want to get in touch, please feel free to call: 250 287 5100 in Campbell River, 1 877 387 5100 toll free, or email at: claire.trevena.mlaleg.bc.ca