Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons has been named opposition critic for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Simons' critic position was announced by New Democrat leader Adrian Dix on Friday, June 21 when the NDP made public their official opposition shadow cabinet.
Simons was previously the critic for Community Living B.C. (CLBC).
He said he is really pleased with the appointment.
"I have enjoyed working with the Community Living sector to get the Liberals to reverse their policy on forced group home closures, on bonuses for senior CLBC executives, and for a review of the Home Share program," he said. "Jenny Kwan, MLA [Vancouver - Mt. Pleasant] is taking on this role, and will be a formidable advocate for the sector."
He said his first order of business is to become more familiar with the current issues facing the agricultural sector.
"The party has long promoted local food production and consumption," Simons said. "Hospitals and other government-funded institutions could support regional economies by supporting local farmers. I have had some success advocating for the rights of farmers to sell their food locally [meat regulations, Private Members Bill: www.leg.bc.ca/39th1st/1st_read/m205-1.htm]. The importance of protecting agricultural land for future generations is a priority, long championed by the NDP."
Simons also said he thinks it is time to reconstitute the standing committee on agriculture, which has not had a meeting since 2001.
Dix said the team he has assembled will hold Premier Clark and the B.C. Liberals to account for their promises and record.
"Premier Clark's government was elected on the claims of a balanced budget, reduced debt, increased core services and increased jobs," Dix said. "British Columbians expect the Liberals to live up to the commitments they made, and our caucus will do just that. Already, we have seen her government award hefty pay increases to political insiders while imposing wheelchair rental fees on vulnerable seniors. British Columbians will not tolerate a return to the say one thing, do another approach that has characterized Liberal rule."
Dix said when the legislature sits again starting June 26, he expects the government to demonstrate how its budget is balanced and how it will avoid massive cuts to core services
"Our team of critics, including seven new MLAs, will be a strong voice to ensure the government is held accountable," he said.
