MLA Report: A Time for Reflection

By Carole James

The New Year is a time for reflection.  As I look back over 2010, I am so proud to be part of a community that works hard to address the environmental, economic, and social challenges we face. Our community office is here to assist the extraordinary individuals and organizations that do that work, as well as serving the constituents in Victoria Beacon Hill. 

In 2010 my office continued the important work of helping our most marginalized community members obtain basic identification - something that most of us take for granted.  In October, we participated once again in Project Connect, a service fair that helps the homeless with basic services that they cannot normally afford, such as haircuts, medical care, and in our case, replacing lost identification.  I am proud to report that this fall we helped over one hundred people obtain their birth certificates, bringing the total to over one thousand since we began the project in 2007.

On October 6^th, in collaboration with Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Hillside, I hosted an Our Province, Our Future event in Victoria - an initiative of the Official Opposition to engage British Columbians in a dialogue about the economic, social and environmental renewal of our province.   The event was hugely successful, with leaders from all sectors of our community discussing the future direction of the province.  Two of the central messages heard were that sound economic decision-making must focus on the future as well as the present, and that the impact on community health and the environment must be key considerations.   I look forward to integrating these ideas into my work at the local and provincial level.

In November I said "goodbye" to my long-time constituency assistant, Connie McCann, who literally sailed away into retirement.  I wish her all the best in her latest adventure.  I also welcomed my new constituency assistant, Joanna Groves, who brings her experience in teaching and in the student movement to serve you in my community office. 

On December 9^th, I hosted my annual Holiday Open House.  Several hundred people joined me at my community office for hot apple cider and appetizers, and it was fantastic to see so many members of the community, and to have a chance to listen to the issues important to them.  The next day I was pleased to serve lunch at the Our Place Family Christmas Luncheon.  The line-up for the free lunch extended around the block, and reminded me of the huge problem of poverty in our community, and the important work left to be done in eliminating it.

There is much to look forward to in 2011.  This month, the Legislative Assembly will sit for the first time since June of last year, providing an opportunity to hold the government to account on everything from seniors care, affordable housing, funding for transit, to the HST.  I am also looking forward to continuing to serve my community as MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill.  I feel truly fortunate to be able work for the community that I call home, and truly humbled by the support I continue to receive from so many of my constituents.