Gary Coons

Hundreds of people gathered in Kitimat B.C in opposition of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline. This was the first public meeting that allowed community members to voice their concerns and questions regarding the proposal.  It also gave Government officials such as our local MLA Gary Coons to talk about his concerns and the risks involved in the project. Other attendees such as First Nations, environmental groups, fisherman and all other community members spoke passionately about their opposition to the project.

“The opposition to this project is massive and growing everyday”, “We have drawn a line in the sand. There will be no Enbridge Pipeline and there will be no crude oil tankers in our waters. This is not a battle that we intend to lose.”  Gerald Amos, MC at protest.

Read the rest of this entry →

“August 11 was a historic day in BC history. The success of the HST initiative petition is a testament to the hard work of thousands of volunteers in communities right across the province who have had enough of the BC Liberals’ lies and deceit. Read the rest of this entry →

“What an awesome day in Victoria for Tulani Ackerman….43 days…3000 km….42 communities…connecting with hundreds of people.  Tulani has completed a courageous journey to bring an awareness to concerns and issues that are plaguing our education system”

I am so proud of Tulani….she is a person who definately “walks the walk”. I was honored to be with her at the beginning of her trip and thrilled to join her at the end of her long and strenuous journey.  Lana Popham(MLA Saanich South), Tulani’s father, my daughter Breton and myself all  met Tulani to ride the final 22 km with her to the legistlature in Victoria. She was graciously met by dozens of friends, family and supporters of her cause.

Education is so critical to society.  If we don’t work together, develop strategies and ensure that funding is properly allocated, our children will essential suffer in the long run. Too many students fall through the cracks from not having their needs met and from not recieving the proper support.

I look forward to hearing the concerns that were brought forth throughout the province regarding our public education system in Tulani’s final report! Good job Tulani and supporters!

VICTORIA— News that a pipeline operated by Enbridge has spilled more than three million litres of oil into a Michigan river has left British Columbians deeply concerned about the company’s plan to run a twinned pipeline from the Alberta tarsands to the port of Kitimat, say New Democrats.

The proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline would cross more than 1000 streams and rivers, including the headwaters of the Fraser and the Skeena rivers.

“It’s time for the B.C. Liberals to explain why they continue to support a project that has the potential to threaten some of our most significant waterways, including the Skeena and the Fraser River,” said New Democrat environment critic Rob Fleming. Read the rest of this entry →

Picture: Gary Coons,  Tulani Ackerman, and Carole James

“To counter the government façade of protecting education it is important that people understand the necessity to embark in a positive dialogue and awareness of what is actually happening in our public education system. Tulani’s courageous journey across British Columbia will create a stepping stone for that to happen. We’ve had enough of the funding ‘shell games’ that create chaos. We’ve seen class sizes and composition issues arise that do not meet the needs of children. We need to reach out and build an education system that focuses on our kids. I thank and honour Tulani and I will be there at the beginning of Tulani’s trek and at the end on August 12.”

VICTORIA— The B.C. Liberals’ decision to allow people in some communities to buy meat from local farmers while still outlawing farm gate sales in most of the province is arbitrary and illogical, say the New Democrats.

“New Democrats have been saying farm gate sales can be done safely ever since the B.C. Liberals took away our right to buy meat directly from farmers,” said healthy living and sport critic Jagrup Brar. “Now, after six years of dithering and misinformation they have admitted that farm-gate sales of meat can be done safely, but the B.C. Liberals are still restricting consumers’ right to buy local meat.” Read the rest of this entry →

VICTORIA – New Democrat deputy transportation critic Gary Coons asked B.C.’s privacy commissioner today to investigate an ongoing breach of privacy regarding credit card purchases at B.C. Ferries.

A 2009 internal audit at B.C. Ferries found 45 deficiencies regarding data and personal information security systems at the corporation. The deficiencies have not been fixed, and according to B.C. Ferries CEO David Hahn, won’t be until at least November of 2010.

The breach includes multiple people using same I.D. log in information, passwords stored in plain text format, and the duplication of credit card data.

Most recently, on the Easter long weekend, thousands of customers were double-billed on their credit cards due to a system breakdown.

Read the rest of this entry →

April 14 was Anti-Bullying Day in BC, which also just happens to be Pink Shirt Day. Both are efforts to reduce bullying. Pink Shirt Day, now in its third year, is a grass roots call for everyone to wear pink as a show of solidarity against bullying. The Opposition caucus joined in this call to encourage all British Columbians, those in government and in all aspects of society to “foster respect, fairness, equity and compassion’ and  show their commitment to end bullying.

VICTORIA—New Democrat Leader Carole James has vowed her caucus will fight the B.C. Liberal Harmonized Sales Tax legislation, introduced this afternoon in the legislature. 

“Today’s HST legislation is the ultimate betrayal of the public trust,” said James. “The B.C. Liberals promised voters and businesses they wouldn’t introduce the HST. But that’s exactly what they did. They broke their promise to the people of this province.

Read the rest of this entry →

VICTORIA — In a short-sighted move that is contrary to the B.C. Liberals’ stated priorities, the government cut off funding this week for Success By 6, spelling the end of the program and hundreds of other programs in more than 240 communities across British Columbia, New Democrats said today. Read the rest of this entry →