Opponents of five pieces of provincial legislation have organized a “town hall” meeting on March 26 at 7-10 p.m. to express concerns about the acts.
Since November 2022, several significant bills have been passed in the legislature that will impact the lives of every British Columbian, a press release issued by the town hall organizers says. These bills have been criticized for quick passage through the legislature without full consultation of those most affected, the release says. The bills leave unanswered questions and confusion in trying to understand the complex wording of the legislation.
The Acts are:
• Bill 36 (Health Professions and Occupations Act)
• Bill 31 (Emergency and Disaster Management Act)
• Bills 44, 46, and 47 (housing amendments acts)
“We need to unpack the information and ensure everyone has some knowledge and understanding,” event coordinator Ingrid Pincott said in the press release. Pincott is a retired Naturopathic Doctor who opposes Bill 36.
“We believe it is essential for citizens to be aware of such important laws and to bring attention to them in a clear and comprehensive way. The goal is to provide a neutral and respectful platform to give the public an opportunity to hear all perspectives and form their own opinions.”
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The town hall aims to fulfill that goal by featuring speakers well versed in aspects of these five pieces of legislation and provide an hour-long moderated question-and-answer period, followed by time for mingling. So far the speakers include: Dr. Christoph Kind, ND, Dr. Anna Kindy, MD, Gail Davidson, retired Lawyer, and Adrienne Richards from Cowichan Valley.
Organizers say they have invited the leaders of each provincial party in B.C., as well as Campbell River mayor Kermit Dahl and city councillors, to attend and possibly speak at this public event at the Maritime Heritage Centre. Local health care workers as well as regional districts and school board trustees have also been invited.
“All local politicians have been invited, including MLA Michele Babchuck, Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix. We are definitely open to discussion on both sides of the issue,” Pincott says.
So far, they have heard back from one politician and await confirmation.
