Address of the Leader of the BC Green Party to the Union of BC Municipalities
Greetings
After many years sitting in the audience at UBCM as a Councillor from the District of Central Saanich, I am both honoured and humbled to be standing on this stage presenting to you today as the Leader of the BC Green Party.
As I only have five minutes of your time and want to be respectful of this opportunity and your time for lunch, I just want to say that I echo the greetings and the sentiments of my colleague John Horgan in thanking the executive, staff and members of the UBCM.
B.C. Ferries and the provincial economy
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) introduced the details of their latest major policy report yesterday, Boatswains to the Bollards: A Socioeconomic Impact Analysis of BC Ferries, prepared by Peter Larose of Larose Research and Strategy.
This impact analysis investigates chronic government mismanagement of the B.C. Ferries corporation, arguing that fare hikes and service reductions over a 10-year period have cost the provincial economy over $2 billion and eroded a world-class ferry system, threatening its long-term viability.
At presentation on impacts of BC Ferries fare increases
Adam, Bob, Wyatt and Stefan are at a presentation by researcher Peter Larose on his recently released study on the impact of BC Ferries fare increases on ridership. The study was commissioned by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
Larose's report can be accessed here (PDF, pages 11 - 97)
Minister Todd Stone responded to the report here (PDF)
Larose is responding to many of Minister Stone's criticisms at his presentation. We will summarize his responses in a later post.
Bob Lorriman, party Chair arrives
Jordan Bober (Admin and Volunteer Coordinator); Wyatt Tessari (Director of Regional Development); Bob Lorriman (party Chair); Lara Beckett (Director, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George); Andy Shadrack (Director, Regional District of Central Kootenay)
Calling David Coon, elected tonight as Canada's 2nd Green MLA
While not specifically anything to do with the UBCM convention, this occupied a lot of our attention tonight. New Brunswick headed to the polls today to elect a new government, and our colleague David Coon, the leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick was elected in his riding of Fredericton South! David is the second Green MLA elected in Canada (the other being Andrew Weaver) and the first Green politician elected east of BC.
This is a photo of Adam making the very first call from one leader of an elected provincial Green Party to congratulate the leader of another elected provincial Green Party. Congratulations David!