Adam Olsen, MLA
9828 Fourth Street V8L 2Z3 Sidney, BC, Canada

Due to the death of two very young British Columbians, Bill 22 Mental Health Amendment Act (2020) has reemerged. The Bill, introduced but not passed last summer, would seek to involuntarily restrain youth. It faced strong opposition from the Chief Coroner, the Representative of Children and Youth, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and others. Premier Horgan said we need progress, not perfection. The BC Green Caucus has never sought perfection, however we did want to ensure the sub...stantial concerns raised by many advocates that the legislation had the potential to cause significant harm, and disproportionately on Indigenous youth, was addressed. Instead of bringing back Bill 22 and focusing on involuntary detention, we have consistently advocated for the provincial government to deliver on regulated safe supply, decriminalization, proactive mental health supports and a continuum of care. #bcpoli https://adamolsen.ca//questions-about-the-involuntary-det/

Attention Vancouver Island Many in the 18-39 age cohort have yet to register to book a vaccination appointment. Every adult BC can book their appointment starting this weekend. Registering is critical to ensuring everyone gets their vaccine in a timely way. Register if you’ve had your first dose already. Register if you’re CEV. Tag your friends and family members and let them know to register!

For the past four years the BC NDP government has been working on accessibility legislation. The project was started by Shane Simpson, the former Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and after a lot of consultation the government has finally tabled their new law. It is enabling legislation. In other words, this Bill provides a framework with most of the work filling in the gaps to be done through regulation. As I mention in my response at second reading, this... approach provides the government the flexibility they need to work with advocacy groups to ensure it reflects the diversity in our province. However, it also means that once this Bill has becomes an Act there is little that legislators can do to hold government accountable and to ensure this work continues to be a priority. And, it also means that changes can be made through Order-in-Council at the whim of government, rather than legislated amendments that require a process that includes public debate. I'm happy that this process has started and the BC Green Caucus will support the government to ensure this meets the needs of all British Columbians. https://adamolsen.ca//bill-6-making-british-columbia-more/

A successful pilot project at the University of British Columbia for self-administered rapid tests found 25 asymptomatic cases of COVID-19. Health Canada has been clear that rapid tests are an important part of our pathway out of the global pandemic. They continue to encourage provinces and businesses to use rapid tests. We have been asking the BC NDP government why there continues to be barriers to a more comprehensive rapid testing program and I asked the Minister of Health... whether the results of this pilot project will inform decisions going forward. https://adamolsen.ca//when-will-bc-remove-barriers-to-rap/

With the COVID-19 vaccination plan rolling out across the province we should not ignore the disparate impacts of this epidemic. Unfortunately, we may never know because the BC NDP government has stubbornly decided to not collect comprehensive data. If we had the information specific to British Columbia then we would be able to make more informed decisions. #COVID19 #britishcolumbia

Involuntary detainments of youth struggling with mental health have increased by 162% since 2008. Premier Horgan’s prioritization of expanding the detainment powers of the Mental Health Act is out of touch with the needs to youth in B.C. #britishcolumbia #bcpoli #mentalhealth #addictions #youth

In 2021 the BC NDP Government will face tremendous tests of decision-making. Will they fall victim to the status quo and sunk cost biases? #bcpoli #oldgrowth #SiteC

I took some time to reflect on the past year and how all of our lives were turned upside down. I think 2020 has taught us what’s really important, and what we used to take for granted has been called into question. As we begin 2021, I think the most important question will be whether we are going to learn from 2020 or whether we will just try to get back to what we had before the pandemic. I’m invested in moving forward. https://www.vicnews.com//mla-report-reflecting-on-the-ine/

Season's Greetings from the BC Green Caucus, Saanich North and the Islands Constituency Office and whole Olsen family. #bcpoli BC Green Party #SaanichPeninsula #GulfIslands https://adamolsen.ca/2020/12/seasons-greetings/

150 years of resource exploitation has devastated the B.C. landscape. Ancient Indigenous resource extractors developed incredible technologies through expert craft and ingenuity. Their approach was not to take every last fish and tree. Instead, they developed entirely different relationships with nature than the European settlers that arrived on the Pacific shores. Indigenous resource extraction techniques offer hope for our future. ... #wildsalmon #oldgrowth #forestry #fishing #bcpoli https://adamolsen.ca//rethinking-british-columbias-resour/

Subscribe to my new blog. Share your email to be notified when I publish new blog content. Check out my friends at Geeks on the Beach - Web Agency! #bcpoli

Congratulations to Tsartlip First Nation on the purchase of Woodwynn Farm from the provincial government. I was thrilled to join Chief Don Tom, Councillors Joni Olsen, Gord Elliott, Simon Smith Jr., Paul Sam and new Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Hon. Murray Rankin at the historic farm in Central Saanich this afternoon. I'm excited for the community and the new chapter for this important farm. These lands have long provided for the WSANEC people and ther...e is an incredible opportunity for that to continue! #reconciliation #indigenous #firstnations #britishcolumbia #bcpoli #agriculture #foodsecurity

Check out the latest commentary from the BC Green Caucus on Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond's report on racism in the British Columbia healthcare system. #bcpoli #britishcolumbia #indigenous #FirstNations

I am absolutely thrilled to see the news that fish farms will be out of the Discovery Islands in 18 months. After a decade of challenging work by First Nations leaders and wild salmon advocates and activists we can finally say that this Cohen Commission recommendation has been delivered on. This is a massive day for the British Columbia coast!... I raise my hands in gratitude for everyone who was involved in the important work! #fishfarmsout #fishfarms #wildsalmon #fraserriver #sockeyesalmon #sockeye

Dr. Henry announces new health orders to #flattenthecurve. Restrictions to social interactions are now province-wide and are extended to December 7th. Masks will now be mandatory in all public indoor spaces. For more information on the new orders:

Sonia explains that as we go back to the #bcleg and look towards 2021 the BC Green Caucus is more committed than ever to holding this government to account but also bringing forward good ideas that will help us recover together. #bcpoli

In the coming weeks MLA's will return to the Legislature. I'm grateful and excited to get back there to continue the important work. #bcpoli @AdamPOlsen @BCGreens https://adamolsen.ca//column-returning-green-mla-gives-th/

For years leaders in the Southern Gulf Islands and Juan de Fuca areas have advocated to be included in the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) which would allow them to apply for important grants that other communities outside Victoria and Vancouver have access to. The Southern Gulf Islands & Juan de Fuca areas are rural. But as part of the Capital Regional District they're deemed "urban" and as a result the regions are excluded from the aforementioned grant programs. Chang...ing the designation to rural would be a game changer in supporting local initiatives! The advocacy was going on long before my election in 2017 and I picked up the effort over the past 3.5 years. It’s a remarkably simple change and in the summer 2020 session then-Minister Michelle Mungall committed to solving this issue for both regions. On Sunday, September 20th, one day before the snap election, she did. But only for Premier John Horgan's riding. Order-in-Council 533 adds Juan de Fuca to the ICET while ignoring the Southern Gulf Islands and leaving them out of the designation change. In the spirit of advancing good ideas I expect the new BC NDP government will finish the work they started and add the Southern Gulf Islands to the ICET. #gulfislands BC NDP BC New Democrat Caucus

I had a beautiful visit to Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary today to learn about the powerful work of the Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society, The Land Conservancy, WSÁNE Nation and so many others to preserve this important piece of nature. The sound of power tools and excavating equipment droning in the background were important reminders of the need to ensure we leave a place for everything else as well! Thank you to everyone involved for making this important project a reality!... #lake #nature #rain #sanctuary #yyj

These photos are painful to look at. They are in stark contrast to the many briefings I have had from British Columbia government officials who have told me with a straight face and sincerity that we have never managed the landscape better! Remember when the New York Times wrote articles about how "big money" was polluting our political system? Remember how international shame embarrassed us into changing our political financing rules? Why do we have to be embarrassed into do...ing the right thing? Perhaps the shame of these photos, the impact of people around the world (people who would want to visit the ancient, majestic old-growth forests of SuperNatural British Columbia) seeing these images will inspire a reluctant government. Until there is substantive action, know that the BC NDP government reluctantly agreed to implement ALL the recommendations from their own old-growth review panel only after receiving substantial pressure to move from their initial non-committal position they tried to take in the election campaign. Further, this is the same government who were reluctant to establish the panel and did so only after weeks, months and years of work from advocates, activists and the BC Green Caucus. Perhaps the embarrassment of people around the world actually seeing British Columbia for what we are, will energize this new government to act with the sense of urgency needed to actually protect these ancient giants rather than just deferring their demise to a later date. To my BC NDP colleagues in the BC New Democrat Caucus, this is in your hands. #bcpoli #britishcolumbia #supernaturalbritishcolumbia #forests #logging #oldgrowth #oldgrowthforest

The frustration we all feel at the non-answers received today is a consequence of an unnecessary election and not knowing who the permanent Minister of Education is. We need consistency to handle the second wave of COVID-19. Parents deserve clear answers. https://www.citynews1130.com///16/bc-school-plan-covid-19/

Shall we never forget those who have been injured or lost their lives in our service. Shall we keep them and their families in our hearts, today and every day. With those sacrifices in mind, I will pledge my work toward a more peaceful and just society free of war.... #remembranceday

Sonia, Jan, Emily and Adam A little known story about Sonia, Jan, Emily and Adam. Eleven years after Jan officiated our wedding I was working with her daughter in the BC legislature. @SoniaFurstenau @BCGreens #bcpoli https://adamolsenmla.ca/sonia-jan-emily-and-adam/