Good Sunday Morning!

Tomorrow is both Commonwealth Day and International Women’s Day – as well as the birthday of two dear friends - so a shout out to Amelia Clarke in Waterloo and my dear adopted mom Dorothy Cutting on Salt Spring Island!

Good Sunday Morning!

And ushering in March tomorrow – marking a full year of pandemic.

My husband remarked the other morning as our dog Xo came bounding along, all chipper and ready for another really fun doggy day, “The best description of dogs I have ever heard,” said John, “is the ‘Designated Optimist.’”

And - boy oh boy - do we ever need a way to bottle optimism and have it handy!!

Good Sunday Morning!

As I wrote in last Sunday’s missive I would, I made a pitch to the Speaker on Monday to ensure fairness in Question Period.  I asked him to rule we have rights to participate in QP and to direct that the other parties meet with us and negotiate a fair distribution of questions, including a slot to ask Wednesday questions.  Wednesday has become a critical day in QP as Justin Trudeau is on his feet in response to every question.  One cannot say he actually answers the questions, but he does stand up. (Actually on zoom he remains seated, but he does do the zoom equivalent – his video camera is engaged!)

Good Sunday Morning!

And a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here on Vancouver Island, we had an uncommonly large snowfall yesterday after a deep chill from the Polar Vortex that has gripped much of Canada.  Another reminder of the climate emergency generally missed by our nightly news and weather reports. 

Good Sunday Morning!

Let’s start with some good news.  The fantastic climate campaigners at University of Victoria scored a major win on February 2^nd .

Good Sunday Morning!

And the last day of January. 

This last week was our first back in parliamentary work.

Good Sunday Morning

And Happy Robbie Burns Day for those who celebrate! Apologies to my brother in Cape Breton who decries the veneration of a lowland Scot who spoke no Gaelic!

I have been thinking a lot lately about the nature of Canadian federation and the challenges, in so many areas of public policy, caused by jurisdictional boundaries and sensitivities.

Good Sunday Morning!

 I don’t know how many of you are on twitter – speaking in tweets – engaging in advocacy in small bursts.  A sort of rhetorical Haiku.

Good Sunday Morning!

What a week!!

Before diving into the events south of the border, I do not want to ignore the week’s events here.

Good Sunday Morning – and a Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone had a restful, peaceful and not too lonely holiday. It is the first time in my 66 years that it has been so hard to frame a cheery seasonal greeting.