DOCSLIB.ORG

Summary of Activities 2020/21

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Summary of Activities 2020/21 Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES 2020/21 June 2021 Second Session, 42nd Parliament June 3, 2021 To the Honourable Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia Honourable Members: I have the honour to present herewith the First Report of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts for the Second Session of the 42nd Parliament titled, Summary of Activities 2020/21. This report summarizes the work of the Committee from December 16, 2020 to March 31, 2021. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Committee, Mike Bernier, MLA Chair CONTENTS Composition of the Committee 4 Terms of Reference 5 The Work of the Committee 6 Financial Statement Audit Coverage Plan 8 Committee Review of the Auditor General’s Information and Audit Reports 11 Information Report: Summary of COVID-19 Pandemic Funding Allocations and Other Financial Relief Measures (September 2020) 11 Audit Report: Oversight of International Education Programs in Offshore and Group 4 Schools (January 2021) 13 Audit Report: IT Asset Management in B.C. Government (January 2021) 15 Appendix A: Work Completed by the Previous Committee 17 Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Summary of Activities 2020/21 3 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE Members Mike Bernier, MLA, Chair Andrew Mercier, MLA Peace River South Langley Rick Glumac, MLA, Deputy Chair Niki Sharma, MLA Port Moody-Coquitlam Vancouver-Hastings Brittny Anderson, MLA Mike Starchuk, MLA Nelson-Creston Surrey-Cloverdale Bruce Banman, MLA Jackie Tegart, MLA Abbotsford South Fraser-Nicola Dan Coulter, MLA Chilliwack Committee Staff Jennifer Arril, Clerk of Committees Ron Wall, Manager, Committee Research Services Lisa Hill, Committee Research Analyst Mary Newell, Administrative Coordinator Stephanie Raymond, Committees Assistant Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Summary of Activities 2020/21 4 TERMS OF REFERENCE On December 9, 2020, the Legislative Assembly agreed a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees that all reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia and to refer to such subcommittees any of the transmitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be matters referred to the Committee and to delegate to deemed referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the Accounts. For greater certainty, the following exceptions are power to report directly to the House; provided: b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, a. the report referred to in section 22 of the Auditor during the recess after prorogation until the next General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2) shall be referred following Session and during any sitting of the to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and House; Government Services; and c. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; b. reports of the Auditor General respecting the and Legislative Assembly prepared under the provisions d. retain personnel as required to assist the Committee of the Legislative Assembly Management Committee Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 258) shall be referred to the and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following Legislative Assembly Management Committee. any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of That the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts be the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment, and the Committee referred to in sections 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 of upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall the Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2). present all reports to the Legislative Assembly. That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts be empowered to: Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Summary of Activities 2020/21 5 THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE The Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts (the programs. The Committee also considered and approved the Committee) is established by the Legislative Assembly and OAG’s Financial Statement Audit Coverage Plan for fiscal supports public sector oversight through its review and years ending in 2022, 2023 and 2024. OAG reports are consideration of the Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG) available at: http://www.bcauditor.com/ financial and performance audit reports. The Committee To support Members elected in the October 2020 provincial further promotes ongoing accountability and improvement general election, the Legislative Assembly organized a of public sector administration through its follow-up process series of orientation sessions, including briefings on the which requires audited organizations to submit an annual work of parliamentary committees and British Columbia’s status report to the Committee outlining progress made on nine statutory officers, such as the Auditor General. In implementing OAG report recommendations. The Committee January 2021, Committee Members held an informal is also required under the Auditor General Act to consider orientation session to receive briefings from the Clerk to and approve the OAG’s annual Financial Statement Audit the Committee and Parliamentary Committees Office staff, Coverage Plan for the upcoming three fiscal years. the Auditor General and staff, and the Comptroller General. This report summarizes the Committee’s activities from The orientation session included information on the role of December 16, 2020 to March 31, 2021. At the first meeting public accounts committees in parliamentary democracies of the First Session of the 42nd Parliament, the Committee and the unique role of the Committee in contributing to elected the Chair and Deputy Chair and established a the Legislative Assembly’s scrutiny of the administration of Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, consisting of the government programs and services, as well as government Chair, the Deputy Chair and two Members, representing the spending. government and official opposition caucuses. The Committee Minutes and transcripts of Committee meetings, OAG met a total of five times and reviewed three OAG information reports and other meeting documents are available on the and audit reports covering the government’s administration Committee’s website at: https://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/pac of programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, information technology asset management within select government ministries, and the oversight of international education Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Summary of Activities 2020/21 6 Meeting Schedule The Committee met on the dates noted below to conduct the following business: December 16, 2020 • Election of Chair and Deputy Chair • Appointment of Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure January 21, 2021 • Informal Orientation Session February 8, 2021 • Review of Financial Statement Audit Coverage Plan • Financial Statement Audit Coverage Plan for fiscal years ending in 2022, 2023 and 2024 (February 2021) March 8, 2021 • Review of Auditor General Report • Summary of COVID-19 Pandemic Funding Allocations and Other Financial Relief Measures (September 2020) March 31, 2021 • Review of Auditor General Reports • IT Asset Management in B.C. Government (January 2021) • Oversight of International Education Programs in Offshore and Group 4 Schools (January 2021) Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Summary of Activities 2020/21 7 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT COVERAGE PLAN The Committee considered the Auditor General’s proposed work of the OAG and private sector auditors. The plan meets Financial Statement Audit Coverage Plan for fiscal years professional requirements for audit coverage under generally ending in 2022, 2023 and 2024 at its February 8, 2021 accepted auditing standards and allows the Auditor General meeting. Section 10 of the Auditor General Act requires to sign an audit opinion on the acceptability of the Summary that each year the Auditor General prepare and submit to Financial Statements. The plan typically involves the direct a parliamentary committee of the Legislative Assembly for audit by OAG officials of government ministries and a rotation approval a plan for the next three fiscal years for its audit of of in-depth OAG involvement across other public sector the provincial Summary Financial Statements, which cover organizations given the OAG’s limited audit resources. the financial statements of all government entities, including The plan provides for three levels of proposed OAG Crown corporations, school districts, universities, colleges, and involvement in audit coverage. The first level of low, or health organizations as well as trust funds. The plan sets out “limited,” OAG involvement is carried out by private sector how the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) will undertake auditors, and applies to 113 organizations in 2021/22, this work and identifies auditing that will be done directly by 110 organizations in 2022/23 and 109 organizations in OAG officials and areas where private sector contractors will 2023/24 – including most school boards, colleges, and be engaged to provide audit support services. The Assembly employer associations. The second level of moderate, or has designated the Select Standing Committee on Public “oversight,” OAG coverage involves private sector auditors Accounts as the Committee for this purpose. conducting audits with OAG oversight – this level covers 19 organizations for 2021/22, 22 organizations in 2022/23 and Summary of Proposed Plan 24 organizations
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cancer Centre Kamloops Ltr to Premier from MLA.Pdf.Pdf
    Peter Milobar, MLA Jackie Tegart, MLA Kamloops − North Thompson Fraser – Nicola Todd Stone, MLA Greg Kyllo, MLA Kamloops − South Thompson Shuswap Lorne Doerkson, MLA Cariboo-Chilcotin January 18, 2021 Premier Horgan Premiers Office PO BOX 9041 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E1 SENT VIA EMAIL: [email protected] Dear Mr. Premier, Re: Kamloops Cancer Care Centre During the recent provincial election, you made a commitment for a Cancer Care Centre to be built in Kamloops within the next four years. As local MLA’s for the Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD) Board several questions have arisen, and we are looking for clarification to be able to provide accurate answers to our constituents. What is the expected operational date for the Cancer Care Centre? Has the planning for the new Cancer Care Centre started? What is the scope of Cancer treatment services that will be provided in the new Centre, and will said scope be inclusive of at least two linear accelerators? Where will the new Cancer Care Centre be located? Is the money for the planning being provided by Interior Health Authority (IHA) or the Ministry of Health? Who will be the lead agency in this project, Ministry of Health, IHA or BC Cancer? Given previous Cancer Centre’s have been a collaboration between the Province and BC Cancer, is this the intended model for the Kamloops Cancer Care Centre? Given previous Cancer Centre’s were not funded by local Hospital Boards, will the TRHD be expected to commit capital dollars or will the new Cancer Care Centre be funded by the Province and BC Cancer? If the intention is to seek capital dollars from the TRHD, what is the contribution expected to be? Will Hospital Foundations be expected to fundraise for the new Cancer Care Centre? Kamloops − North Thompson Kamloops − South Thompson Fraser-Nicola Constituency Office Constituency Office Constituency Office 618B Tranquille Road 446 Victoria Street PO Box 279, 405 Railway Avenue Kamloops, B.C.
    [Show full text]
  • BC Veterinarians Need Your Help Combined
    Hello If you wish to help BC veterinarians address the shortage of veterinarians, you may wish to write your local MLA and ask them to support and increase to the number of BC students trained as veterinarians. Below is a sample email for you to send to your local MLA. You can also add to the email or replace it with your own. After the sample email, on page 2 and 3, is a list of all MLA email addresses to help you to find your MLA contact information. Should you wish to learn more about the shortage of veterinarians and the need for additional BC students to be trained as veterinarians, please scroll down to page 4 to read our summary document. Your help is greatly appreciated! Dear MLA, I wish to add my name to the list of British Columbians who find the shortage of veterinarians in BC unacceptable. We understand that BC can add an additional 20 BC student seats to BC’s regional veterinary college, but that the government declined to do so, citing costs. In the interest of animal health and welfare issues including relief from suffering and unnecessary death, public health, and biosecurity for BC, we ask you to ask the Minister of Advanced Education Anne Kang to fund an additional 20 BC seats at WCVM effective immediately. As a BC resident, I want my voice added as an individual who cares about the health and welfare of animals and who wishes the government to provide funding to help alleviate the shortage of veterinarians in BC.
    [Show full text]
  • LIST of YOUR MLAS in the PROVINCE of BRITISH COLUMBIA As of April 2021
    LIST OF YOUR MLAS IN THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA As of April 2021 NAME RIDING CAUCUS Bruce Banman Abbotsford South BC Liberal Party Michael de Jong, Q.C. Abbotsford West BC Liberal Party Pam Alexis Abbotsford-Mission BC NDP Roly Russell Boundary-Similkameen BC NDP Janet Routledge Burnaby North BC NDP Hon. Anne Kang Burnaby-Deer Lake BC NDP Hon. Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Edmonds BC NDP Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby-Lougheed BC NDP Coralee Oakes Cariboo North BC Liberal Party Lorne Doerkson Cariboo-Chilcotin BC Liberal Party Dan Coulter Chilliwack BC NDP Kelli Paddon Chilliwack-Kent BC NDP Doug Clovechok Columbia River-Revelstoke BC Liberal Party Fin Donnelly Coquitlam-Burke Mountain BC NDP Hon. Selina Robinson Coquitlam-Maillardville BC NDP Ronna-Rae Leonard Courtenay-Comox BC NDP Sonia Furstenau Cowichan Valley BC Green Party Hon. Ravi Kahlon Delta North BC NDP Ian Paton Delta South BC Liberal Party G:\Hotlines\2021\2021-04-14_LIST OF YOUR MLAS IN THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.docx Hon. Mitzi Dean Esquimalt-Metchosin BC NDP Jackie Tegart Fraser-Nicola BC Liberal Party Peter Milobar Kamloops-North Thompson BC Liberal Party Todd Stone Kamloops-South Thompson BC Liberal Party Ben Stewart Kelowna West BC Liberal Party Norm Letnick Kelowna-Lake Country BC Liberal Party Renee Merrifield Kelowna-Mission BC Liberal Party Tom Shypitka Kootenay East BC Liberal Party Hon. Katrine Conroy Kootenay West BC NDP Hon. John Horgan Langford-Juan de Fuca BC NDP Andrew Mercier Langley BC NDP Megan Dykeman Langley East BC NDP Bob D'Eith Maple Ridge-Mission BC NDP Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Official Report of Debates (Hansard)
    First Session, 42nd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, March 1, 2021 Afernoon Sitting Issue No. 16 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC First Session, 42nd Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training...........................................................................................................Hon. Anne Kang Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries......................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing .............................................................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................................Hon. Mitzi Dean Minister of State for Child Care......................................................................................................................................Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.....................................................................................................................................................Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Council Meeting Agenda Monday, February 22Nd, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Microsoft Teams (Online) 14.1 Call to Order
    Council Meeting Agenda Monday, February 22nd, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Microsoft Teams (online) 14.1 Call to Order 14.2 Acceptance of the Agenda 14.3 Acceptance of the Minutes: 2021-02-08 14.4 Old Business 14.4.1 Executive Director’s Report - Caroline G. 14.4.2 Executive Updates - Executive team 14.4.3 Committee Updates 14.4.3.1 Clubs Committee Councillor Appointment - Matthew M. 14.5 New Business 14.5.1 Lobbying Recap - Claire M. 14.5.2 2021-2022 Student Activity Fee Approval - Caroline G. 14.6 Open Forum 14.7 Reminders 14.7.1 Council Meeting: 2021-03-01 @ 17:30 on Microsoft Teams 14.8 Meeting Adjournment Please refer to attached materials. Council Meeting Monday, February 22nd, 2021 Minutes Executives: Mina Ariana – Interim Chair, Schools of Transportation, Construction, & the Environment Clinton Fernandes – Chair, Downtown Campus Sean Green – Chair, School of Computing & Academic Studies Sungwoo Kim – Chair, School of Energy Charles Abraham Mah – Chair, School of Business Claire McCallum – VP External Matthew Miller – VP Student Experience Skye Nguyen – VP Finance & Administration Richard Park – Chair, Aerospace Campus Hunter Sones – President Danny Zaporozan – Chair, School of Health Sciences Staff: Caroline Gagnon – Executive Director Crystal Man – Administrative Coordinator Satellite Ashley Obeck – Marine Campus Councillors: Councillors: Robert Chamberland Jenna Kim Bobby Davidson Brianne Lee Maria Davis Jasmine Lee Paramveer Dhaliwal Baldeep Litt Ian Ertzinger Elisha Loh Tanya Fuchs Ryan Lounds Ruby Hsu Yasmeen Pomeroy Alyssa Ilich Felix Ruttan Supreet Jhudge Jeremy Shepherd Takeshi Keber Regrets: Navin Basran Hoang Khoa Eileen Bui Queenta Ngoe Karel Chanivecky Garcia Bethan Pugh Yasmin Gardy – VP Equity & Rajdeep Singh Sustainability Nikita Zaitsev Khadija Glover Council Meeting Minutes: 2021-02-22 Page 1 of 5 14.1 Meeting Called to Order The Chair, Hunter, calls the meeting to order at 17:33 (31 voting members, including Chair).
    [Show full text]
  • Practical Steps
    CHANGE WORKERS CHANGE for STUDENTS for CHANGE for THE ECONOMY CHANGE for OUR KIDS CHANGE BETTER CHANGE FAMILIES for the for PRACTICAL STEPS CHANGE for SENIORS CHANGE for the BETTER Authorized by Heather Harrison, Financial Agent, 604-430-8600 | CUPE 3787 WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE OUR HOPES AND DREAMS !e NDP platform is the result of intensive consultation with British Columbians by our party and the entire NDP caucus Dear friend, !e NDP platform is the result of intensive consultation with British Columbians by our party and the entire NDP caucus. You told us that you want a thoughtful, practical government that focuses on private sector jobs and growing our economy, lives within its means, and o"ers a hopeful vision of the future. !at’s what we have worked to achieve. First and foremost, our priority is to create opportunities for British Columbians to suc- ceed in a fast-changing and competitive economy. Our platform outlines the practical and a"ordable steps we can take to get us there – from expanding skills training, to reducing poverty and inequality, improving health care, pro- tecting our environment and #ghting climate change. !e changes we are proposing are designed to open up new opportunities for British Columbians to make the most of their own lives, and to build strong communities in a thriving, productive and green economy. As Leader of the BC NDP, I work with an outstanding team of British Columbians from all walks of life. I can promise you that we will work as hard as we can to provide you with a better government that listens, that cares, and that works with you to build a better, greener, more prosperous future for you and your family.
    [Show full text]
  • Independent Investigations Office
    Fourth Session, 40th Parliament REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS (HANSARD) SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE Victoria Thursday, February 12, 2015 Issue No. 10 MIKE MORRIS, MLA, CHAIR ISSN 2292-8111 (Print) ISSN 2292-812X (Online) SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE Victoria Thursday, February 12, 2015 Chair: Mike Morris (Prince George–Mackenzie BC Liberal) Deputy Chair: Spencer Chandra Herbert (Vancouver–West End NDP) Members: Dr. Doug Bing (Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows NDP) Scott Fraser (Alberni–Pacific Rim NDP) Wm. Scott Hamilton (Delta North BC Liberal) Dr. Darryl Plecas (Abbotsford South BC Liberal) Jane Jae Kyung Shin (Burnaby-Lougheed NDP) Jackie Tegart (Fraser-Nicola BC Liberal) Clerk: Susan Sourial CONTENTS Special Committee to Review the Independent Investigations Office Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page Election of Chair and Deputy Chair ....................................................................................................................................... 135 Committee Report to the House ............................................................................................................................................. 135 MINUTES SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE Thursday, February 12, 2015 8:00 a.m. Douglas Fir Committee Room Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. Present: Mike Morris, MLA (Chair); Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA (Deputy Chair); Dr. Doug Bing, MLA; Scott Fraser, MLA; Wm. Scott Hamilton, MLA; Dr. Darryl Plecas, MLA; Jane Jae Kyung Shin, MLA; Jackie Tegart, MLA 1. There not yet being a Chair elected to serve the Committee, the meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by the Committee Clerk. 2. Resolved, that Mike Morris, MLA, be elected Chair of the Special Committee to Review the Independent Investigations Office. (Jackie Tegart, MLA) 3. Resolved, that Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA, be elected Deputy Chair of Special Committee to Review the Independent Investigations Office.
    [Show full text]
  • [email protected]
    Honorific First Name Last Name Riding Party email Mr Michael de Jong, Q.C Abbotsford West Liberal [email protected] Honourable Anne Kange Burnaby-Deer Lake NDP [email protected] Honourable Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Edmonds NDP [email protected] Dan Coulter Chilliwack NDP [email protected] Doug Clovechok Columbia River-Revelstoke Liberal [email protected] Honourable Mitzi Dean Esquimalt-Metchosin NDP [email protected] Peter Milobar Kamloops-North Thompson Liberal [email protected] Mike Bernier Peace River South Liberal [email protected] Honourable Nicholas Simons Powell River-Sunshine Coast NDP [email protected] Honourable Nathan Cullen Stikine NDP [email protected] Garry Begg Surrey-Guildford NDP [email protected] Honourable Harry Bains Surrey-Newton NDP [email protected] Honourable Bruce Ralston Q.C. Surrey-Whalley NDP [email protected] Honourable George Chow Vancouver-Fraserview NDP [email protected] Mr Bruce Banman Abbotsford South Liberal [email protected] Todd Stone Kamloops-South Thompson Liberal [email protected] Bob D'Eith Maple Ridge-Mission NDP [email protected] Jennifer Rice North Coast NDP [email protected] Henry Yao Richmond South Centre NDP [email protected] Trevor Halford Surrey-White Rock Liberal [email protected] Pam Alexis Abbotsford-Mission NDP [email protected] Roly Russell Boundary-Similkameen NDP [email protected] Coralee Oakes Cariboo
    [Show full text]
  • Official Report of Debates (Hansard)
    First Session, 42nd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, April 12, 2021 Morning Sitting Issue No. 43 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC First Session, 42nd Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training...........................................................................................................Hon. Anne Kang Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries......................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing .............................................................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................................Hon. Mitzi Dean Minister of State for Child Care......................................................................................................................................Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.....................................................................................................................................................Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Media Release
    MEDIA RELEASE June 30, 2021 Budget 2022 Consultation now open VICTORIA – The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ Budget 2022 Public Consultation opens today, following the release of the Budget 2022 Consultation Paper by the Minister of Finance. British Columbians are encouraged to share their suggestions for next year’s provincial budget by presenting to the Committee, providing written comments, or filling out an online survey. Organizations or individuals who would like to make a presentation are asked to indicate their interest by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) July 16; presentations will take place in late August through September and are expected to be a mix of in-person and virtual (video/teleconference) meetings. For details on how to participate, visit the Committee’s website at https://bcleg.ca/FGSbudget or contact the Parliamentary Committees Office at 250-356-2933 or 1-877-428- 8337 (toll-free in BC). “There isn’t a corner of this province that hasn’t been touched by the COVID-19 pandemic with every person, region and sector impacted in different ways,” said Janet Routledge, Committee Chair. “This consultation is an opportunity for British Columbians to tell us what they and their communities need most.” “This has been a challenging time for all British Columbians,” added Ben Stewart, Deputy Chair. “We will carefully consider everyone’s perspectives, experiences and proposed solutions as we make recommendations to steer our recovery.” The consultation closes at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) September 30. The Committee will examine all input received and prepare a report outlining the issues most important to British Columbians and its recommendations for the next budget by no later than November 15, 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • Fraser-Thompson-Steelhead-Release
    To the: Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Honourable Mary Polak. Minister of Environment Honourable Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture March 14, 2017 Dear Honourable Ministers Thomson, Polak and Letnick, Re: Fraser River Late-Run Summer Steelhead Steelhead Stocks in Peril British Columbia’s lakes, streams, tidal waters and stocks of salmon, steelhead and trout attract anglers from BC and around the world each year. The catching (and release) of fish for sport or recreation in BC provides significant economic benefit to the province through spending on transportation, food and lodging, fishing supplies and services and tax revenues. Salmonid species, in both freshwater and tidal waters, comprise the primary species for the sector. In 2013, the value of BC’s freshwater recreational fishery alone, was 957 million dollars in indirect expenditures, 546 million dollars in direct expenditures and 144 million dollars contributed in provincial and federal tax revenues. Steelhead angling is a substantial portion of this value. The financial contributions of the tidal recreational fishery would be in addition to these values. The world has always valued BC steelhead. Steelhead of the Thompson River epitomize this high value and are considered iconic across the globe. Having long sustained First Nations people, steelhead are also central to this interior region’s world-class recreational fishery. Unfortunately Thompson River steelhead are in steep decline. The Spences Bridge fishery declined from 14,000 angler days in 1985 to 4,000 angler days in 2005, and more recently no fishing, representing a loss of between 1.4 - 2 million dollars in direct annual expenditures to the local economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard)
    Fift h Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Tuesday, July 26, 2016 Morning Sitting Volume 40, Number 9 THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Fifth Session, 40th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Linda Reid EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ..............................................................................................................Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing ......................Hon. Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development .......................................................................................................Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
    [Show full text]