Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA report, Mar 11

Budgets are about making tough choices, but what ‘tough choices’ did the BC Liberals make?

We all know that budgeting is about choices. Whether it is for your household or your business, you have to make choices about revenue and about expenditures. [Read more]

Electricity rate increase is ‘hidden tax’ — Macdonald

29 per cent BC Hydro rate increase a hidden tax on consumers: Macdonald.

Tuesday’s BC Liberal budget contains an unfair and hidden tax on consumers by forcing at 29 per cent increase on BC Hydro ratepayers, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

“The BC Liberals have found a new way to tax the average citizen that they hope you will never notice,” said Macdonald. “Buried deep in this week’s provincial budget is a requirement for BC Hydro, a crown corporation, to provide an extra $254 million to government this year alone, and the only way for BC Hyrdo to do that is to increase hydro rates.” [Read more]

BC cuts fresh-produce subsidies

Macdonald defends farmers’ market coupon project. BC Liberals cut funding that provided fresh produce to low-income families.

In his response to the budget speech yesterday, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald spoke out in support of an innovative program that has been slashed by the BC Liberal budget.

“The Farmers’ Market Coupon project was a great idea that provided fresh fruits and vegetables to food bank users, supporting healthy eating habits as well as local farmers. It was a win-win situation,” said Macdonald. [Read more]

Norm Macdonald MLA report, Feb 26

An important part of having a democracy that works is knowing that you have an elected official that will listen to your concerns. As many of you will know, I began my political life as a town councillor and mayor.

As a municipal politician, the connection to voters was very immediate. A comment you made at council one evening would have to be defended at your workplace or at the post office the next morning. It keeps you on your toes. But it also keeps you knowing exactly what the people you represent think. [Read more]

Funding medical services with HST a ‘desperate move to overcome opposition to the HST’

BC Liberal budget all about service cuts and the HST.

British Columbians need a government that will focus on strategies to promote economic recovery, but instead the BC Liberal government has introduced a budget that cuts public services and brings in the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

“I believe that people in this area will be disappointed in this budget,” said Macdonald. “There is no indication that the BC Liberals have any plan to improve the lives of rural British Columbians. [Read more]

BC government serves corporate interests, not public — Macdonald

MLA Macdonald responds to BC Liberal Throne Speech.

Following the presentation of the BC Liberal Throne Speech on Tuesday, February 9th, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald was the first opposition member to respond. Each member of the House has thirty minutes to respond to the Throne Speech and to speak specifically about how the government’s agenda relates to their local communities. [Read more]

Macdonald to legislature : ‘we’re not giving up on Norman’

MLA shows support for Invermere resident Norman Gagatek.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald made the following statement in the Legislature today. Macdonald also presented to the House the ‘We’re not giving up on Norman!’ petitions and letters signed by hundreds of Columbia Valley residents. [Read more]

Macdonald questions wildfire protection planning

Forestry watchdog report points to the government’s continued failure to protect communities from wildfire risk.

The BC government’s own forestry watchdog is reporting that six years after the Filmon report on the wildfires of 2003, only 5% of interface forests at highest risk for wildfire have been treated, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA and Opposition Critic for Forestry Norm Macdonald. [Read more]

BC consumers to subsidize electricity exports

BC Liberal private power agenda will cost taxpayers $450 million a year.

A leaked document has confirmed what many British Columbians have always suspected about the BC Liberal private power agenda; forcing BC Hydro to buy private power does not make economic sense, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

In a submission to the Green Energy Task Force, BC Hydro’s largest industrial customers state that the government’s electricity export scheme will force BC Hydro to pay independent power producers twice as much for electricity as it would be worth on the open market. [Read more]

MLA meeting day – Invermere, Feb 18

Feb 18, Invermere –

MLA Norm Macdonald in Invermere to discuss your issues.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald will be in Invermere on February 18th, and he wants to talk to you.

Event: MLA Meeting Day in Invermere
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Location: Best Western Invermere Inn meeting room

Macdonald will be available to meet with individual constituents and representatives of constituent groups on topics related to the provincial government. [Read more]