The MLA for Kamloops North Thompson says he was hoping for a fiscal update from the BC Government yesterday, as the B.C. legislature began a largely virtual sitting as it returned from a COVID-19 shutdown.
Peter Milobar says the first day of a largely virtual legislative session went rather smoothly. He however noted some of the debates yesterday were on bills that are now outdated because of the novel coronavirus.
“It’s no longer relevant to what’s actually happening in the real world and instead of getting an amended and updated bill with new fresh numbers and perspective on things, we’re being asked to debate things that were brought forward in February that really are not relevant when you consider how much things have changed in the last 100 days,” Milobar said.”
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Peter Milobar says a lot of credit for that success of the session’s first day goes to the clerk’s office in the Legislature.
“They spent a lot of time to think ahead and figure out the best way to handle things,” he added. “And certainly, I know our team had done a lot of pre-training, and virtual training sessions as well to try and make sure that all of our MLAs were right up to speed and try to keep the glitches to a minimum.”
B.C. energy minister previously said on NL Newsday that there were rehearsals for MLAs to try out the technology. Milobar notes there were a few minor issues as MLAs conducted their business.
“You know there was one or two that forgot to unmute and a couple of members of government didn’t realize that they were supposed to be speaking, but that can happen in person too,” Milobar said.
“So its going well, we’ll see long term if frustrations start to build or not. Its certainly a very different feeling sitting in the legislative space.”
Finance Minister Carole James has promised a fiscal update on July 14, but Milobar says he was hoping for that update yesterday, so MLAs would be able to ask questions of the government.
The session runs until August 12, and Finance Minister Carole James has promised a fiscal update on July 14.
