MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows
May 18 2010
Community groups have been caught off guard by a government decision to withhold their gaming funds until August at the earliest.
As one can Imagine this has had a tremendous negative impact on most groups.
Today, Michael rose in the House to draw attention to just one of those groups, The North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association.
Below you will find the draft transcript of the statement and as always the official version will be posted when available.
May 17 2010
Michael firmly believes that education matters. Today in the House he had an opportunity to ask questions of the Minister of Education Margaret MacDiarmid and brought up issues of interest to Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows.
Below you will find the draft transcript of their exchange and as always the official Hansard will be posted when available.
May 17 2010
We all know the story, the pine beetle, mills closing, communities dying, the past decade has seen the forest industry move from the economic engine of the province to an after thought. Today in the House Michael addressed the government’s record on being stewards of our forests as part of addressing the latest policy change by the government.
Below you will find the draft transcript of his speech and as always the official version will be posted when available.
May 5 2010
As part of the Site C plan vast amounts of land will be flooded to create a reservoir for the dam. Naturally, this results in the loss of habitat for many species and of particular importance caribou. Today Michael discussed the governments handling of this situation with Minster Penner.
Below you will find the draft transcript of the exchange and as always the official record will be posted when available.
May 5 2010
Many remember the community outcry that stopped the Run of River Inc. power project from drastically altering the Upper Pitt River. A similar situation appeared to be happening along the Klinaklini River and today Michael discussed the issue with Environment Minister Barry Penner.
Below you will find the draft transcript of their exchange and as always the official transcript will be posted when available.
May 4 2010
Fun fact: Michael was once attacked by a grizzly bear. Well maybe not so fun fact! But in an event Michael doesn’t hold a grudge, in fact he recently grilled Environment Minister Barry Penner on the issue of the grizzly hunt in BC.
Below you will find the draft transcript of their exchange and as always the official transcript will be posted when available.
May 3 2010
Water has been a hot topic in Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows, specifically the regulations around extraction for agricultural purposes. Today Michael had an opportunity to discuss the relevant legislation, The Water Act, with Environment Minister Barry Penner and in particular the issue of instream flow requirements.
Below you will find the draft Hansard of the exchange and the official version will be posted when available.
May 3 2010
Many here on the Wet Coast take water for granted. After all it’s constantly falling on our heads! But today Michael rose to draw attenntion to the fact that clean, safe and accessible drinking water is a precious commodity that we need to protect.
Below is the draft Hansard of his statement and as always the official version will be posted when available.
Apr 26 2010
This week sees the government move to cut short debate on the HST and in the same vein deny an Opposition motion to refer the HST to a committee for thorough investigation. With this as the backdrop Michael rose once again to question the logic behind the HST and describe its adverse effects on some.
Below is the draft transcript of his speech and as always the official transcript will be posted when available.
Apr 22 2010
Climate change has often been cited as justification for many of the governments recent policies and actions.
This Earth Day Michael fittingly chose to bring up this controversial concept in the House.
Below you fill find the official transcript of the discussion.
