Once a month, I sit down in front of my laptop to write my column for the Nelson Star. If all went according to 100 years of the typical schedule, I would be writing this article from the BC Legislature at this time of year, but not today. I’m in my Nelson office. And while I never complain about being home, it really isn’t where I am supposed to be right now to do the best job for you.
Last week the Legislature sat for four days after a 256 day absence. After those four days the Legislature closed, and I don’t know when I’m going back.
Being an MLA on the opposition benches, I don’t have a say in when I go to work in Victoria. That is up to the governing BC Liberals, and when they keep us away from the House they make it much harder for us to ask questions and do work on behalf of the public.
For example, I want to know when and how the Ministry of Health came up with bonus points for hospitals’ capital projects that favour private funding criteria over urgency. But I can’t get the minister to answer if there is no question period — the point in each Legislature day where MLAs get to ask ministers questions and solve issues for British Columbians.
During those short four days, I was able to ask a question on court delays (you can watch the video on my website at michellemungall.ca), but I still have more on that same topic. I also have questions on funding cuts to student aid, cutbacks to services that prevent violence against women, the BC Rail trial, MLA Kash Heed’s possible involvement in election fraud, and the Water Act modernization process. I’d like to table my report, Kootenay Lake Food Systems, and meet with the minister of agriculture. I’d like to present petitions for Jumbo Wild and debate the budget. I’d like to pass BC NDP interim leader Dawn Black’s bill to move up the HST referendum date. I’d like to formally welcome the newest teams to the West Kootenay women’s rollerderby. There is much I would like to do, and should be doing, but the BC Liberal government thinks otherwise.
So what does this mean for our democracy? In our system, when an opposition cannot ask the government questions about their decisions, it means less transparency, less debate and less accountability. These are essential components of any democratic process, and if they are sidelined, the public should worry.
Admittedly, the BC Liberals haven’t totally snubbed democracy. With their leadership race concluding this weekend, we can at least say that the BC Liberals are honouring elections. Although no candidate offers a different approach to governing than Gordon Campbell’s (every remaining candidate has been a Liberal minister, making decisions that have hurt B.C. over the last 10 years), at least the act of choosing a carbon copy is respected — unlike maintaining a functioning Legislature.
After all this, it is time for a new government. It is time for a change in B.C., change that starts with where I and my colleagues sit in the House: a change from the opposition benches to the government.
Michelle Mungall is the MLA for Nelson-Creston, and writes a monthly column for the Star.