Gary Coons

For Immediate Release

Sept. 22, 2009

VICTORIA— The B.C. Liberals’ post-election renewed push to lift the ban on coastal oil drilling shows their environmental promises during the campaign were nothing more than hot air, say New Democrats.

“It’s environmental hypocrisy for the B.C. Liberals to boost dirty coastal drilling while claiming that that they care about the environment,” said North Coast MLA Gary Coons. “The B.C. Liberals are so out of touch with those on the coast and with the will of the people. They continue their tar sands mentality by putting our coastal waters at jeopardy by promoting offshore oil and gas and planning to run supertankers through the treacherous waters of the inside passage.” Read the rest of this entry →

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(HANSARD)

HOUSE BLUES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

Afternoon Sitting

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

MAE JONG-BOWLES

G. Coons: Today I would like to share a motivational story about a constituent of mine from Prince Rupert — a teacher, a good friend and a magnificent sailor. Mae-Jong Bowles grew up in the orchards of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.  Read the rest of this entry →

North Coast reaction to the announcement of $130 million in committed federal funds for the Northwest Transmission Line has been mostly positive, with Prince Rupert mayor Jack Mussallem saying that the transmission line and the jobs it could bring will “resonate throughout the north”. Read the rest of this entry →

MP Nathan Cullen and MLA Gary Coons are both demanding that the federal government reverse its plan to destaff lighthouses on the west coast, including the one at Langara Island.

Replacing the human lightkeepers with automated machines is dangerous and short-sighted, the two politicians said.

Read the rest of this entry →

Dozens of animal lovers and their furry friends came out to Doug Kerr Field on the morning of September 13 for the 2009 Paws for a Cause, and SPCA branch manager Lindsay Vincent told the crowd gathered after the walk that this year was a resounding success.

“We surpassed our goal and raised $4,300, so I’m really excited about that. Thank you so much, I really can’t say it better than that,” she said. Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

September 7, 2009

VANCOUVER— In an effort to cover up their pre-election budget deception, the B.C. Liberals have created chaos and confusion for thousands of community groups across the province that depend on gaming grants, New Democrat housing and social development critic Shane Simpson says. 

“If the B.C. Liberals really cared about community groups, they would not have thrown these organizations into chaos with last minute cuts just to cover up for the government’s budget lies,” said Simpson. “Community groups, from arts organizations to animal rescue groups,  are angry that these massive changes were made without warning or consultation.”  Read the rest of this entry →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

September 4, 2009

Cullen: Fisheries Committee Must Hold Hearings in BC

OTTAWA – New Democrats Peter Julian and Nathan Cullen are calling for the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to hold Pacific Salmon season post-mortem hearings in B.C. Read the rest of this entry →

For Immediate Release

 VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberal government should be ashamed now that British Columbia has the lowest minimum wage in the country, New Democrats said today.

As of September 1, B.C. now has the distinction of having the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $8 an hour, and a training wage that starts at $6. The B.C. Liberal government has refused to raise the minimum wage since they were first elected eight years ago. Read the rest of this entry →

While Tuesday’s throne speech committed the government pursuing an Asia Pacific Gateway Authority with the Federal Government to “open up the critical Northern Corridor”, North Coast MLA Gary Coons and Skeena Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen both say people in the region shouldn’t count on it. Read the rest of this entry →

For immediate release

Today’s budget is built on BC Liberal deception and incompetence. It’s a “tax and cut” budget that will surely hit the lower and middle class especially those that live in the north and rural areas.  It highlights the deception and lies that British Columbians were told a short 3 months ago.

We now have the largest deficit ever brought into this legislature at $3.6 billion (if you add the approx $800 million from the Fed HST to the huge deficit announced..$2.8 billion…you get the massive total of $3.6 billion!!!). During the election period the Premier said …read my lips… only a $495 million deficit MAXIMUM. Now it is a massive seven times that fallacy! (“The deficit for 2009-10 will be $495 million maximum.” Gordon Campbell, Vancouver Sun, April 24, 2009) Read the rest of this entry →