Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, was elected by her peers to serve as Caucus Chair.

“I’m humbled to be elected by my colleagues to serve them as their Caucus Chair,” said Stilwell. “I look forward to fulfilling my duties as Caucus Chair while we deliver on our campaign commitments of balancing the budget, growing B.C.’s economy, controlling spending, and keeping taxes low.

In addition, Premier Christy Clark has re-appointed returning Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster as Government Whip and selected rookie Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson to serve as Deputy Whip.

“I’m delighted to be given the confidence of Premier Christy Clark and continue to serve as government Whip,” said Foster. “With the election behind us, it’s now time to get on with what our party has been mandated by British Columbians to do and that is to govern. We’re wasting no time and I look forward to the upcoming summer session.”

“It’s an honour to be chosen as Deputy Whip and serve on a great team of returning veterans and new faces.” said Larson. “This election proved that votes cannot be taken for granted. Although we’ve been given a mandate as a majority government, I’m going to help make sure our BC Liberal MLAs are there in numbers to represent their constituents in Victoria.”

The role of the Caucus Chair is to preside over Caucus meetings and act as a link or liaison between Private Members, Cabinet, and the Premier.

Whips are appointed to help organize their caucuses’ parliamentary business. Whips are responsible for making sure members vote and participate in legislative business including debates, motions and committee work.

“I am humbled by Ben Stewart’s unselfish act of character and generosity, and I will be asking the voters of Westside-Kelowna for their support in the pending byelection,” said Premier Clark.

“It is a great honour that our riding has the opportunity to be represented by Premier Christy Clark and it continues a past tradition of British Columbia premiers in the Okanagan,” said Stewart.  “She has a strong mandate and I am doing my part to ensure she is in a position to deliver on her vision for a strong economy and secure tomorrow.”

Clark and Stewart met supporters, local residents and the media to announce the decision.  Clark will return to the riding once the cabinet announcement and swearing-in is complete.

“I look forward to earning the support of local voters to represent this area.  I will do it with dedication and enthusiasm, backed by a strong group of seatmates that includes Norm Letnick, Steve Thomson, Eric Foster and Dan Ashton,” said Premier Clark.

“We’ve been very clear and honest when it comes to recovering natural gas and the opportunities it presents,” says Pimm. “This is an opportunity of a generation and we need to seize it, work with companies to make it happen and not place obstacles in the way.”

Pimm notes the NDP pay lip service to supporting the industry but that the party’s policies tell a different story.

“We’ve been successfully recovering natural gas for 50 years and the NDP want to do another review,” he says. “Well, how long is the review? What’s it looking at that’s different than all the other studies? If it recommends a moratorium will the NDP do that?”

As well, Pimm says the NDP have no plan to power any of the liquefied natural gas plants as the party opposse independent power projects and Site C.

“If we do this right, we can create a Prosperity Fund that will eliminate the debt for children,” says Pimm. “This is an opportunity that is before us now and the NDP seem to just want to wait, delay and put up roadblocks. Instead of calling this ‘insanity’ they should tell us what their plans are.”

The BC Liberal Government has been clear about their long-term vision for the education system and the benefits a 10-year labour agreement with teachers could bring to students. This vision also includes continuing to transform B.C.’s education system to be more flexible and dynamic to support 21^st century learning, and ensuring the Foundation Skills Assessment Test (FSA) continues to provide educators and youth advocates with the necessary data to ensure vulnerable students do not fall through the cracks.

“We have always been open and honest about our vision to continue to make B.C.’s education system one of the best in the world. But we don’t know much about Adrian Dix’s education ideas, because he’s making his plans with the BCTF behind closed doors,” says John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes.

Instead of telling British Columbians his plans for their education system, Adrian Dix held a private reception on Sunday with delegates at the BC Teacher’s Federation convention in Vancouver.

“We already know Mr. Dix followed orders when he promised to kill the important Foundation Skills Assessment test, so the question is: what else?” asks Rustad.  “What other promises has Mr. Dix made in return for the BCTF’s endorsements and political ad campaign?”

“Students, parents and teachers deserve a system that takes politics out of the classroom,” says Rustad. “It’s time to turn the page on how labour negotiations are conducted in this province because we believe children thrive when labour disputes are kept out of the classroom.”

The BCTF is running a stridently anti-government advertising campaign and BCTF locals in Burnaby and Vancouver have officially endorsed NDP candidates before their campaign platform has even been released.

“Taxpayers deserve to know if Mr. Dix has promised Susan Lambert the tax increases she wants to pay for unaffordable wage hikes,” said Rustad. “Either Adrian Dix has a plan or he doesn’t. Either way it’s way past time for him to come clean.”

“Real leadership means making tough decisions now that will improve the lives of British Columbians today and into the future,” says Mary Polak, Minister of Transportation and MLA for Langely. “It means looking forward and planning ahead. That’s what this session was all about.”

Through the Speech from the Throne, Balanced Budget 2013, which will make B.C. debt free through the BC Prosperity Fund, and legislation that supports families, the BC Liberal government continues to act on their bold vision for the future.

“Under the leadership of Premier Christy Clark, the BC Liberal government has been clear that we want to grow the economy – not the size of government – and secure a brighter future for B.C. families,” says Polak.

This is in stark contrast to Adrian Dix and the BC NDP who called for more spending in virtually every area of the budget –  but offered no plan for how to pay for it.  This would ensure a deficit, increase debt, and cost B.C. its triple A credit rating which would drive investment away and cost taxpayers millions in higher interest rates.

“Real leadership means putting forward a vision for the future and defending it to the public – not making empty promises that pander to the current mood,” said Polak.  “If Dix has nothing to hide, he should put forward his plans today.”

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Legislative Backgrounder:

The BC Liberal government introduced 18 pieces of legislation to support job creation and making life more affordable for British Columbian families.  These include:

Health Authorities Amendment Act: The BC Liberal government is ensuring Licensed Practical Nurses’ (LPNs) wishes are recognized, after they voted nearly 70 per cent to change their union representation to the BCNU. By bringing LPNs and registered nurses together under one bargaining framework, further progress can be made to ensure LPNs play an expanded role in our health care system.  A recent two-year agreement with nurses highlights the significant progress made under B.C.’s Cooperative Gains Mandate. Almost three-quarters of unionized employee’s in B.C.’s public sector are now covered under negotiated settlements, despite the tough fiscal environment.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act: Individuals who do not have access to a workplace pension plan have a new retirement savings option. The Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs) will be managed by licensed financial institutions, reduce administrative burdens for employers and provide tax advantages for employers. Employers can choose to contribute to the plan.

Destination BC Corp. Act: This legislation formalizes the creation of Destination BC – an industry-led Crown corporation to market the province as a tourism destination.

Provincial Sales Tax Transitional Provisions and Amendments Act: Government finalized the framework for the successful transition from HST back to PST on April 1. An extensive outreach program is also underway to help businesses register for PST and help them understand their obligations.

Tla’amin Final Agreement Act: The Tla’amin Nation became the ninth First Nation in B.C. to see their treaty passed by the provincial government. It’s the fourth modern treaty to be passed in British Columbia under the B.C. treaty process and the fifth modern treaty overall. Government also signed Incremental Treaty Agreements with five Vancouver Island First Nations – Songhees, Scia’new (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke (Sooke), Malahat and Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) Nations.

Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act: More than 550,000 hectares are being added to B.C.’s parks and protected areas system. The amendments include the establishment of 10 new conservancies in the Atlin Area, and this addition of marine foreshore areas to nine existing Haida Gwaii conservancies.

Community Safety Act: This legislation creates a new provincial unit to investigate and work with property owners to curb unlawful and dangerous activities from neighbourhoods.

Criminal Records Review Amendment Act: Changes will provide free criminal record checks for volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults. It also allows organizations to share information from these checks, with the consent of the volunteer, thus reducing the need for multiple checks.

Justice Reform and Transparency Act: This legislation paves the way for a more transparent, timely and balanced justice system. It establishes a new Justice and Public Safety Council to set the strategic direction for the justice and public safety sector. It includes amendments that support increased efficiencies in judicial administration, including lengthening the term a chief judge may serve.

Emergency and Health Services Amendment Act: Emergency health services are being more closely integrated with the broader health system. This legislation sets up the potential to expand the scope of paramedics, recognizing the important role first responders play in overall patient care.

Local Government Statutes Amendment Act: This legislation makes efficient changes, supported by the Union of BC Municipalities, allowing municipalities to send property tax notices electronically.

Senate Nominee Election Act: Legislation that would allow voters to elect Senate nominees was introduced but left on the order paper. The exposure bill is intended to generate discussion about Senate reform and show how elections could be conducted in B.C.

Seniors Advocate Act: Once this legislation is enacted, B.C. will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to create an Office of the Seniors’ Advocate. The advocate will be responsible for monitoring seniors’ services and providing recommendations to government on issues of interest to seniors.

Key Investments Backgrounder:

Within the balanced budget, government is introducing new measures to benefit B.C. families and help make family life more affordable, including: (Feb 18/13)

• The B.C. Training and Education Savings Grant, a one-time $1,200 grant toward a B.C. resident child’s Registered Education Savings Plan after the child turns six years old.
• A new B.C. Early Childhood Tax Benefit will provide $146 million to approximately 180,000 families with children under six years old, effective April 1, 2015. Families with young children can receive up to $55 per child, per month.
• B.C.’s new Early Years Strategy will invest $76 million over three years to support the creation of new child-care spaces and improve the quality of child care and early years services. Included within this, $32 million will support the creation of new child-care spaces and $37 million will improve the quality of services available.
• $60 million in new and reallocated funding to continue the Sports and Arts Legacy Fund first introduced in Budget 2010.
• An additional $52 million over three years for increased RCMP policing costs to maintain existing front-line services, including officers hired to combat organized crime and gang activity.
• An additional $13 million over three years to support the renewal and renovation of 13 provincially owned Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to assist with temporary relocation of residents as well as fund the annual service payments.
• $20 million to provide carbon tax relief for commercial greenhouse vegetable and flower growers. In addition, government intends to provide a carbon tax exemption for farmers for the same coloured motor fuels, and uses, they are currently able to purchase exempt from motor fuel tax.

The Province invested in supportive house, including:

• $3.4 million for the renovation of the Chilliwack Health and Housing Contact Centre. When complete, it will provide 22 supportive housing apartments for people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. (Jan 18/13)
• Approximately $5.3 million for the construction of an affordable housing development in North Vancouver, which will include 14 residential apartments for young adults with developmental disabilities. (Jan 18/13)
• $10.3 million to help construct a 68-unit affordable rental building for adults and families with low-to-modest incomes in Victoria. (Jan 25/13)
• $6.04 million to build a new housing development with 36 apartments and on-site support services in Nanaimo for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. (Feb 01/13)
• $37.1 million in construction financing for the construction of the 10-story, 147-apartment Budzey Building, which will provide supports for women and women with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. (Feb 05/13)
• $950,000 for the purchase and renovations of Mountain View Apartments, an 11-unit apartment complex for low-income families in Terrace. (Mar 09/13)
• Over $12.8 million in construction financing of John Yeomans’ Place, a redevelopment providing 76 below-market rental apartments in the City of North Vancouver to provide affordable housing for seniors. (Feb 08/13)
• $22.3 million in construction financing for the new 99-unit supportive housing development in Vancouver. Once complete, it will offer 69 apartments for adults who are homeless and at risk of homelessness and 30 apartments for youth. (Feb 15/13)
• Over $5.4 million for the development of Eagles Landing, a new 23-unit transitional and supportive housing for women and their children fleeing from domestic abuse in Prince Rupert. (Feb 28/13)

The Province invested $17-million province-wide Skills and Training Plan investment to support public post-secondary institutions to upgrade equipment, including:

• Over $1.5 million at BC Institute of Technology. (Jan 10/13)
• $1.46 million at Vancouver Island University. (Dec 11/12)
• Over $1.4 million at Vancouver Community College. (Jan 11/13)
• $1.5 million at Camosun College. (Jan 17/13)
• $1.39 million at Thompson Rivers University. (Jan 25/13)
• $867,000 at Okanagan College. (Dec 19/12)
• $787,000 at Selkirk College. (Dec 18/12)
• Over $730,000 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. (Jan 18/13)
• Over $662,000 at North Island College. (Jan 28/13)
• Over $620,000 at the University of the Fraser Valley. (Jan 24/13)
• $443,842 in new skills training equipment at the College of the Rockies. (Jan 22/13)

New and seismically upgrade schools:

• $6.3 million to construct the new trades training centre at NorKam Secondary. The new trades centre will increase the trades training capacity of the school by approximately 100 students and provide a mix of skills training. (Mar 05/13)
• Officially opened the $37.9 million University Hill Secondary school in Vancouver. The new school provides 1,000 new spaces for Grade 9-12 students. (Feb 14/13)
• $1.8 million to support a seismic upgrade for Aberdeen Elementary School in Abbotsford. (Feb 14/13)
• $10.5 million to construct the Clayton North facility school in the Clayton North area of Surrey. (Feb 15/13)
• $15.2 million for the seismic replacement of L’ École Bilingue Elementary that will have a capacity for 485 kindergarten to Grade 7 students as well as a Neighbourhood Learning Centre. (Jan 29/13)

Improving safety and travel for residents, visitors and commercial drivers along our roads:

• $650 million over the next 10 years to widen and improve the safety, reliability and mobility of the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border. (Feb 07/13)
• Launched the second phase of the consultations on the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project. (Mar 11/13)
• Awarded an $889-million contract to design, build and finance for the construction of the Evergreen Line, creating 8,000 jobs during construction. (Jan 29/13)
• $5.2 million to help resurface the roads in the Shuswap. (Feb 05/13)
• $8 million to three highways in Vernon this year. (Feb 05/13)
• $34.7 million to improve the safety of Highway 1 east of Prichard. (Feb 26/13)
• $24 million to replace the 16^th Ave interchange and improve access to Highway 99. (Mar 01/13)
• $8 million for a new median barrier and other safety improvements on the Malahat highway including installation of concrete median barriers at four locations. (Mar 07/13)
• More than $13 million in safety improvements for highways and bridges in the Northwest region. (Mar 07/13)

Twenty-seven communities throughout the province received grants of up to $20,000 to help create programs or tools that address the needs of their older residents. (Jan 08/13)

• 100 Mile House: Towards an Age-friendly Community – $19,967
• Anmore: Age-friendly community action planning – $19,910
• Barriere: Seniors mental and physical fitness project – $15,400
• Bowen Island: Health-care resource guide for Bowen Island and BEST osteoporosis prevention program – $19,993
• Burns Lake: Age-friendly community assessment – $17,400
• Central Kootenay Regional District: Just for the Health of It! exercise and wellness program – $5,600
• Delta: North Delta seniors’ bus – $20,000
• Fort St. James: No Resident Left Behind – seniors’ transportation initiative - $20,000
• Fraser Lake: Senior support and drop-in centre - $20,000
• Kaslo: Kaslo seniors’ co-ordinator - $20,000
• Kent: Resource book, community information boards and isolation training - $15,000
• Ladysmith: LaFF and Learn - $20,000
• Metchosin: Seniors’ drop in centre - $20,000
• Mission: Active Seniors - $20,000
• Nakusp: Seniors’ resource fair - $3,500
• Parksville: Oceanside IMPACTS: Improving Partnerships for Age-friendly Care Transitions for Seniors - $19,810
• Port Alberni: Creating an Age-friendly Alberni Valley - $20,000
• Princeton: Zoning bylaw review: incorporating age-friendly land use regulations - $20,000
• Queen Charlotte: Fit for Life: All ages community park outdoor fitness program - $10,268.89
• Revelstoke: Kovach Park age-friendly enhancement and seniors’ fitness programming - $20,000
• Sayward: Seniors’ outdoor gym and wellness programs - $20,000
• Silverton: Develop a policy and action plan as well as developing new projects - $20,000
• Sooke: Seniors Volunteer Connections - $20,000
• Surrey: Connecting seniors and their caregivers to resources in the community - $20,000
• Tofino: Creating a Tofino age-friendly community - $15,500
• West Vancouver: North Shore Age-friendly initiative: Seniors connecting seniors for healthy living - $20,000
• Williams Lake: Senior Citizens’ Activity Centre – Healthy and safe eating kitchen renovation - $20,000

Enhancing economic opportunities for First Nations:

• Issued a First Nations’ woodland licence to the Tsq’escenmc people of the Canim Lake Band, enhancing economic opportunities and forest stewardship in the region. (Jan 24/13)
• Incremental Treaty Agreements with the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations will create near-term economic opportunities in Terrace and surrounding areas, as well as offer lands for community and cultural purposes. (Jan 31/13)
• Signed an incremental treaty agreement with the Songhees Nation that provides three land parcels, which will create economic benefits for the Songhees Nation. (Feb 26/13)
• Incremental Treaty Agreement with the Malahat Nation will provide land, economic development opportunities and meaningful employment opportunities. (Feb 26/13)
• Signed an incremental treaty agreement with Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) that enables them to acquire two land parcels within the next three years. (Feb 26/13)

Increased supports for arts and culture, and the creative industry:

• Up to $113 million to build a new visual, media and design facility for Emily Carr University of Art and Design at the Great Northern Way Campus to be completed by July 2016.  The new facility will provide education in media, design and art programs. (Jan 23/13)
• Balanced Budget 2013 included $24 million to the BC Arts Council, the highest level of funding in their history. (Feb 15/13)
• $1.5 million to fund two new arts programs to help cultural organization continue to provide quality art experiences across B.C. (Jan 09/13)
• $9.5 million in matched funding to the Times Group of India towards producing the Times of India Film Awards which will attract more than 400 million viewers world wide. (Jan 22/13)
• $6.25 million to launch BC Creative Futures, a three part strategy to support artists and cultural organizations in the creative sector throughout the province. (Jan 31/13)

Supporting resource economy

• A 10-year forestry inventory plan was released today with an average annual investment of $8 million as part of B.C.’s commitment to address mid-term timber supply. (Feb 22/13)
• The Province is providing $32 million to the First Nations Limited Partnership to facilitate a non-equity investment in the development of the proposed Pacific Trails Pipeline project (PTP). (Feb 25/13)
• The Province is providing over $120 million in credits as part of the Infrastructure Royalty Credit program to encourage new oil and gas infrastructure development and job creation. (Feb 26/13)

“Today I delivered our review of caucus staff in relation to the Draft Multicultural Strategic Outreach Plan to my caucus colleagues.

I want to thank MLAs Murray Coell and Rob Howard for their assistance. The scope of our review focused on the role caucus staff members played in the draft document.

As Mr. Dyble’s scope could not include Caucus staff, I felt it important as Caucus Chair to conduct an internal review, recognizing the different role Caucus employees perform.

During our review, we interviewed current employees named in the draft plan and received from them written statements. We also reviewed emails from current and former caucus staff that had been sent using their legislative email addresses.

Our review confirmed Mr. Dyble’s finding that caucus staff played a brief, supporting role in the initial preparation of the draft document – within the defined role of caucus staff.

To ensure proper due diligence we sought legal counsel about our written review and were advised, due to concerns around privacy, not to release the review.

I am satisfied with the outcome of our review. But it is important that British Columbians have confidence in their legislature.  We, therefore, would welcome the opportunity for an external review of both caucuses.”

Today the BC Liberal Caucus tabled a motion asking all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to support hydraulic fracturing in British Columbia.

“B.C. isn’t the only opportunity for investors – the natural gas industry requires certainty in order to continue attracting investment here,” said Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North.  “If the NDP’s plan is to stop or slow natural gas development while they conduct their review, it will drive that investment away.”

Adrian Dix and the BC NDP have indicated that they would review hydraulic fracturing – leaving British Columbians and industry in the dark over what that would mean for them.

“What would the NDP’s review look like? Who would do the review, what are the terms of reference and what are the timelines? Would this lead to a moratorium?  If so, for how long,” asks Pimm. “We support natural gas recovery and want the natural gas sector to know that B.C. is open for business.”

Premier Christy Clark has been clear about her bold vision for the future of B.C.’s natural gas industry. She is committed to ensuring that all British Columbians take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by exporting our surplus Liquefied Natural Gas to Asia.

“Instead of playing coy, Adrian Dix and the NDP should show some respect to the British Columbians who rely on this industry,” concluded Pimm.

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Background:

• “I wouldn’t rule it [a moratorium] out if the evidence is we need to do that. But I haven’t seen that evidence yet, and that’s why we need to have a scientific assessment.” – John Horgan, Vancouver Province, Oct. 21, 2012
• “I think that we need to stop fracking hold the level at where it is until we do those studies and then decide what the safe way to precede is.“ – George Heyman, Youtube, Oct 18, 2012
• “I am proposing that we stop the expansion of new frack wells until we have an appropriate public study on the health impacts, the community impacts, the water impacts, and the climate, greenhouse-gas-emissions impact.” – George Heyman, Vancouver Sun, Oct. 22, 2012

“It seems that every day this session Adrian Dix and the NDP have demanded increased spending with no indication of how much or how they’d pay for it,” says Finance Minister Michael de Jong.  “British Columbians want to know what Adrian Dix and the NDP’s plans are. They promised it well before the election. Then they promised it after they saw the budget. But, we still have no idea what they would do. B.C. deserves better.”

The NDP’s reckless spending promises and lack of resolve to balance the budget would burden future generations with crippling debt. When asked when the NDP would balance the budget, finance critic Bruce Ralston answered “four to five years.”

“Election campaigns are supposed to be when important issues facing British Columbians are debated,” de Jong continued.  “We’ve laid out our vision. Either Mr. Dix doesn’t have a plan, or he is too scared to share it with the public.”

Under the leadership of Premier Christy Clark, the BC Liberal Government has laid out a bold vision for the future of British Columbia. Balanced Budget 2013 builds upon a solid foundation of fiscal prudence and a focus on supporting job creation and growing the economy – not the size of government.

“I’m calling on Adrian Dix to show some leadership and respect to voters and come clean about his plans before the end of session,” de Jong added.

This week, Members of the Legislative Assembly debated Bill 18, called the Health Authorities Amendment Act, 2013.

“I’m proud to support Bill 18 because nearly 70 per cent of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) voted to change their union representation to the BCNU,” says Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview. “It’s our responsibility to ensure their wishes are recognized.”

Following the lead of union bosses like Jim Sinclair and Barry O’Neill, the BC NDP spoke against Bill 18 during Second Reading debate – and against the wishes of British Columbia’s LPNs.

“You’d think the NDP would respect the wishes of union members. But if Adrian Dix had his way, he would eliminate secret ballots – a vital element of our democracy,” says Dr. MacDiarmid.

When asked on CKNW in Aug. 2012 if he would eliminate the secrecy of union votes, Adrian Dix said “you know, that’s an open conversation, and I’m not going to deny that… we’re starting to talk about that piece.”

“Because it was a secret vote, LPNs voted without fear of reprimand. They made it clear they want to change their union representation,” says Dr. MacDiarmid.  “I’m proud to be a part of a government that recognizes choice. British Columbians deserve better than a party beholden to their union bosses.”

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Background:

When Judy Darcy was the Secretary-Business Manager for the Hospital Employers Union (HEU) she had this to say about Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs):

• “BCNU through their entire history have vehemently, actively, aggressively advocated against an increased role for LPNs.” – Judy Darcy, Nanaimo News Bulletin, Dec. 3, 2009
• “I think it’s about control. BCNU has been unsuccessful in restricting what they [LPNs] are able to do, and we believe this is about the BCNU trying to control and restrict by other means.” – Judy Darcy, Globe and Mail, Jan. 7, 2010

Adrian Dix and the NDP have this to say about union ballots:

• “My position is that we’re reviewing that, and people will know before the election what we do.” – Adrian Dix, Voice of BC, Nov. 29, 2012
• “It’s called card check. It existed under the Socreds. It was done away with by Mr. Vander Zalm. It was reintroduced by Mr. Harcourt. It was done away with by Mr. Campbell. I don’t know where we’re going to go on it. Shane Simpson is the labour critic. He’s been consulting with business. He’s been consulting with labour.” – John Horgan, CFAX Sunday Morning Public Affairs, Jan. 27, 2013
• “You know, that’s an open conversation, and I’m not going to deny that. I got the file maybe about a month or so ago, and I’ve started conversations. I’m meeting with Business Council officials next week, and we’re starting to talk about that piece. But we’re also talking about workers’ compensation and employment standards and the whole thing as a package and what it looks like.” – Shane Simpson, BCNDP Labour Critic, CKNW, Aug. 27, 2012
• “Well, and what I’ll tell you is that it’s part of a conversation. We have not resolved that question. It’s not settled. But what I will tell you is this, Michael: as Adrian has said, we’re going to tell people what we’re going to do.” – Shane Simpson, BC NDP Labour Critic CKNW, Aug. 27, 2012