MLA report

Last week I was able to travel throughout the constituency, holding public forums and meeting privately with constituents in Revelstoke, Golden, Invermere and Kimberley. I also attended the centennial celebration of the Spiral Tunnels in Field.

I met with many of you on a wide variety of issues, but the issue that was raised with me most was the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Seniors spoke to me about their concerns about not being able to afford the HST on a fixed income. In one case, a senior estimated that the HST will cost him more than $1000 each year. [Read more]

"Become an active participant in your democracy" — Macdonald

MLA report –

If you think the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is a bad idea, and you want to stop it, the following headline in the September 3rd Vancouver Sun is very good news.

Victoria backs down on arts funding cuts after outcry

Here is proof positive that if people speak out loudly and strongly, even the most out of touch government can be forced to react. [Read more]

Government 'out of touch' with forestry workers

Claim that HST will save the forest industry is too little, too late: Macdonald.

Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett’s claim that the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will save the forest industry and protect forestry jobs is a sad commentary on just how far out of touch the Campbell Liberals are, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

“Clearly, if the HST was such a good idea, and would revitalize industries like forestry, then Bill Bennett and his caucus mates would have been talking about the benefits before the election,” said Macdonald. “But they weren’t talking about how great HST was then.” [Read more]

MLA meeting day – Sep 9

Macdonald to hold MLA meeting day in Invermere.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald will be meeting with constituents in the Columbia Valley during his break from the Legislative session on September 9th.

Macdonald will have office hours between 10 am – 2 pm at the Best Western Invermere Inn. Constituents who wish to meet with Macdonald are asked to call 1 866 870 4188 to make an appointment. [Read more]

Macdonald speaks out for local control

Press release –

Message to Ministers loud and clear: people reject the Glacier Howser power project.

A boisterous and determined crowd of East Kootenay residents gathered Thursday night in Invermere to state their opposition to AXOR’s proposed Glacier Howser river-diversion power project which will divert the water from four creeks in the West Kootenay for power production. The power produced will then be transmitted by a new transmission line that will bisect key wilderness areas across the Purcell mountains into the Invermere substation in the East Kootenay. [Read more]

Protest garnered large turnout at Glacier-Howser hydro project meeting

They gathered with signs, adorned themselves with costumes and marched loudly through downtown Invermere chanting phrases like “No dam way!” and “Axor go away!” It was a visible and very vocal message from a community whose once-apathetic nature is clearly being shed.

The cause of yesterday’s (June 25) public display of displeasure is a proposed independent power project slated for construction on the west side of the Purcell Mountains. [Read more]

MLA report

On June 11th, the CEO for the Interior Health Authority admitted that IHA is currently experiencing a budget shortfall of $20 million, and that this budget crisis will continue into subsequent years. What does this mean for healthcare in this area? Without an increase in funding, there will have to be further cuts to clinical services and that is going to cause hardship for some.

The Campbell Liberals have shown by their continued underfunding of our health care system that they do not believe, as most of us do, that we have a responsibility as a society to provide quality, accessible and publicly-funded health services to all British Columbians. [Read more]

Macdonald tackles new role as Ministry of Forests critic

Newly elected Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald will be taking on a new role in the NDP caucus when parliament resumes at the end of the summer. Having worked as the NDP’s shadow caucus representative in education and community services during his previous term, Macdonald will be working a high-profile role as the NDP’s forestry critic. [Read more]

MLA report: voter turnout

The recent election left me feeling both encouraged and dismayed. While I was naturally thankful for all the support I received from voters in Columbia River – Revelstoke, I was very concerned by the low voter turnout both here and across British Columbia.

I can’t help feeling that the lack of voter interest is in some way a failure on my part. At the very least, I am part of a group, politicians of all political stripes, that has failed to communicate with voters and engage them in the democratic process.

For me, the empowering part of the election was the large group of volunteers who worked so hard to re-elect me. Similar to last election, my campaign was run on a very tight budget. My campaign was successful because of people who gave of their time and skills, and I was pleased that those people felt passionate enough to get involved. [Read more]

Rural communities depend on paramedic services

Press release –

Government must meet obligations for service provision to rural communities.

The contract negotiations currently underway between the provincial government and the paramedics’ union will deeply affect rural communities and the fact that this dispute has led to strike action shows a lack of leadership on the part of the BC Liberal government, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

“The last paramedics’ contract made significant changes to pay structures and educational opportunities which made the job of a rural paramedic much less appealing. In order to make a living, many rural paramedics are choosing to move to larger centres, leaving rural communities scrambling to fill the ranks.” [Read more]