MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill /
#bcpoli
Minister of Children and Family Development / Momma to Asher & Eve / PhD / Lover of running & all things
#yyj
/ she/her
Today, as a proud ally and alongside the incredible
@VanAlias
, I announced British Columbians are now able to change their gender on the BC Services Card, BC Driver’s Licence, BCID and BC Birth Certificates without the confirmation of a physician or psychologist.
#bcpoli
Hey,
@CKNW
- I don't think "domestic dispute" is the phrase you're looking for when a woman dies after being stabbed while her children are home.
Please reconsider. Thank you.
The BCLibs *really*really* need to elect some young people. For the 2nd time this week, they're talking about millennials as if we are young.
Like... I didn't miss my graduation due to COVID... I graduated 15 YEARS AGO.
The closures that hit me? daycares not clubs. YIKES
(CW: childhood illness)
Victoria-Beacon Hill community members, friends, neighbours – an update on myself and our community office.
In Feb, we found a tumour in my 4yo son’s brain. so I have had to take a step back to care for Asher and my family.
I got my
#astrazenca
this morning. I got it today for Asher, for those who are vulnerable - both those I love and those I don’t know - and for the staff and kids at
@BCChildrensHosp
.
I’m not really sure what to say, Renee
BC New Democratic Party = BCNDP
BC United Party = BCUP
I have dedicated a lot of my life to supporting survivors & addressing GBV - this attack on me is NONSENSE.
If you want to talk about the REAL issues on gender equity, count me in.
Your lack of respect for women is even more disturbing in light of the increase in gender-based violence. This morning
@GraceALore
emailed thousands of NDP with gendered attacks.
We need leaders who fight for women's rights, not use their bodies as political weapons.
#bcpoli
All my gratitude for the outpouring of love, kindness, and support this week - what an incredible boost. From the bottom of my heart - thank you.
🧡 🧡🧡🧡🧡
We’re heading back to
@BCChildrensHosp
and we made it over just before
#BCStorm
cancelled ⛴!
I am so excited and so honoured to be the
@bcndp
candidate in Victoria-Beacon Hill! This riding has been represented by the amazing
@carolejames
for 15 years and I am committed to doing the hard work, heart-forward, that this community deserves.
#bcpoli
#BCelxn2020
Four years ago today I graduated with my PhD from
@UBCPoliSci
@UBC
and today, I am being sworn in as the MLA for Victoria Beacon Hill. I am beyond grateful for my community and support along the way. I commit to the learning and work ahead.
#bcpoli
🤯 I def did not receive nor need direction not to travel from the Premier. I got that loud and clear from Dr. Henry - not as an MLA or Parliamentary Secretary but as a British Columbian and member of my community (for those we love & those we don’t know) 🤯
#bcpoli
#abpoli
Today in Question Period, Kevin Falcon yelled “you’re a nobody” at one of my colleagues.
QP is lively, I know... But it’s this kind of aggressive, toxic personal attack that deters so many (especially women) from getting into politics.
Not ok,
@KevinFalcon
.
#bcpoli
In case it needs to be restated - because it clearly does - I stand with queer and trans kids, youth, and families.
All day, every day but especially this week.
#yyj
#bcpoli
#VictoriaBC
This passed in the
#bcpoli
legislature today - unanimously.
By law, those 12 and older do NOT need a doc or psychologist in order to change their gender marker
AND, by request, people can get a birth certificate without a gender marker on it
Also - protect trans kids 💜
Today a
#troll
who never likes what I have to say implied he knew where my kids go to the daycare. Thankfully he was wrong... but tell me again why more women don’t opt into politics and public life?
Her name is Anita Anand. She is just the 2nd woman to hold this post in Canadian history. She has also been a professor of law and associate dean, and she’s a mother of 4.
(This headline is absolutely trash)
A huge congrata to
@AnitaOakville
on this new role. Lucky
#cdnpoli
It was Holocaust Remembrance Day this week and this morning I’m seeing pictures of Swastikas on Canadian flags to protest public health measures….
Stop. Do not. End of conversation.
Small but noisy protest at the leg… reminders 1) getting vaccinated IS a choice (so is going to the bar with your friends) 2)your references to the Holocaust are horrendous, inaccurate, and, dangerous.
Standing with health care workers, my vulnerable 5yo, and Dr. BH.
At 18, Emma Stark was the 1st Black teacher on
#vancouverisland
. Emma was the daughter of Sylvia Stark who was born into slavery, and journeyed to Salt Spring Island with her family to become a local legend. TY
@MangueSilvia
for these inspiring stories!
#BlackHistoryMonth
It's hard to express my gratitude. Your calls, words of support, donations, sign-waving, honks & waves, it’s what keeps us going. I’m SO grateful for my team. Your support also looked like loving my kids and feeding my family. As we settle in tonight - thank you for everything.
Russian-Canadians are not responsible for Putin’s illegal war. Acts like this only feed xenophobia and division and violence. Many Russians are standing up boldly for peace. Let's stand together and support each other.
Again, BC Liberal MLA John Rustad is questioning the link between human activity and climate change.
Kevin Falcon needs to acknowledge this is misinformation and get his MLA to take these posts down.
If not, he’s making room for climate denial in his party.
#bcpoli
Again: 👏🏼this is not how we make housing policy👏🏼
If you want to evict people from their long term homes for three days of Taylor Swift - hi, it’s you, you’re the problem, it’s you.
💫🎶
#TaylorSwift
is gonna 'Shake It Off' in Vancouver!
But thanks to the BC NDP's Airbnb ban, finding a 'Blank Space' to stay just got trickier.
With 164,000 Swifties over three nights, and only 23,000 hotels rooms, we've got a 'Bad Blood' situation on our hands!
#bcpoli
I am so honoured to take on the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, working with new Minister of Finance
@selinarobinson
in the newly announced
@jjhorgan
government!
#bcpoli
@bcndp
I am excited & humbled to take on the role of Minister of State for Child Care.
The transformative work led by
@KatrinaCBurnaby
has been changing lives. I am grateful to keep pushing toward affordable, accessible, quality, inclusive child care as a CORE service for BC families
Ive been home feeling rotten with Covid for 10 days. I’ve tried telling the virus that “I’m over it” and “I’ve done my part for two years” and somehow it’s not working 🤷🏻♀️
Glad to be part of a government that’s still taking a science-based approach to this sucky pandemic.
😷💜
I am seeking the Victoria-Beacon Hill
@BCNDP
nomination!
Thank you to family, friends, & nearly 400 VBH members I’ve connected with. It’s clear we share a love for this community + a commitment to the work that lies ahead.
Stay up to date:
#bcpoli
#yyj
The wonderful
@carolejames
has been named an Honorary Citizen of
@CityOfVictoria
Carole, congratulations & thank you for your mentorship & lifetime of service to our community & province. DYK Carole’s amazing mum was also recognized in 2014? So much leadership in this family.
Profiling
#WomensHistoryMonth
! Rosemary Brown was elected in 1972 as the representative for the Vancouver-Burrard riding and became the first black woman to sit in any Canadian provincial legislature.
Wow! What a night. I am so honoured to serve this community and am so grateful for the issues you brought forward. No matter how you voted tonight, I can't wait to get to work for you.
#bcpoli
Thank you to
@KarenFBill
and
@jennneilson
- I know we share a love of this community.
It's hard to express my gratitude. Your calls, words of support, donations, sign-waving, honks & waves, it’s what keeps us going. I’m SO grateful for my team. Your support also looked like loving my kids and feeding my family. As we settle in tonight - thank you for everything.
BC United proposes changes to government’s short term rentals legislation introduced last week. Wants to see definition of short term expanded to less than 30 days from NDP’s proposed 90 days, & allow investors to have 1 STR in addition to own principal residence.
#bcpoli
Near the end of the day my six year old frequently says “oh boy, I’m exhausting” with a big sigh. I find it kind of therapeutic, so I don’t correct her.
Imagine, instead of addressing the real challenges facing communities, you use your platform and the honour of being an MLA in our provincial legislature to target a small group of kids and trans and queer families and the teachers who support them.
No
This 👇🏻 is how we respond
Dr. Henry’s calm leadership through the COVID pandemic has served as an inspiration for a generation of girls considering careers in STEAM, and her 4th place finish in the Royal Vic 8k race inspires me! Congratulations to Dr. Henry on her
@CityOfVictoria
Honorary Citizen Award
Today the last ballots were counted in Victoria-Beacon Hill. I am so humbled and so honoured to be your MLA-elect in this incredible community.
#bcpoli
Its
#2020
so I celebrated in the only responsible way – snuggling my household.
... A gratitude thread ahead 1/
Welcome to the community and to the race in Victoria-Beacon Hill
@SoniaFurstenau
! It is the best riding!
Looking forward to discussing the issues that people in the community care about- housing, the climate crisis, reconciliation, healthcare, and more. (1/2)
The tough times include occasional upsides - tonight, I’m attending the
#equalitybreakfast
for
@WestCoast_LEAF
snuggled up at home with my littles. The intersectional feminist legal advocacy of this organization is 🔥💪🏼❤️
To be extremely clear friends -
Protect trans kids with your vote. Do your research, pay attention to school board elections, and vote.
Also - statement from Minister Whiteside and education partners 👇🏻👇🏻
Cheap? I was working on the weekend and my kid a) wanted to be near b) wanted to watch what I was doing.
This isn’t using my kids in politics. This job takes a lot of time away from my kids - it matters to be close when I can and it’s ESSENTIAL they know what I do and why.
This is homophobic and transphobic. There is no space and NO tolerance this kind of hateful language and abuse.
Last week we saw how this hate can kill.
I stand against it and with queer kids, families, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community every time.
#bcpoli
Wherein someone threatens violence out of hate, homophobia, and transphobia and suggests OTHERS are bad for our kids…
Not here… not on our watch. No way.
Don’t let this pass you by. Stand with For the Love of Drag,
@CaffeFantastico
, the queens, kings, & 2SLGBTQ community
An all-ages drag show set to take place in Victoria this weekend has been cancelled after the venue hosting it received multiple harassing phone calls and one threatening gun violence.
@korisidaway
has the story.
Sending best wishes to B.C. MLA Grace Lore as she steps back from some of her duties as her four-year old son undergoes treatment for a brain tumour.
Here’s
@GraceALore
along with her family Rob, Eve and Asher... in LEGO!
#bcpoli
#ndp
#victoria
@bcndp
The BC Liberals just voted against increasing housing supply. While they stand with speculators,
@Dave_Eby
and the
@bcndp
will take action to build more homes for people.
#bcpoli
People needing a place to stay in Vancouver will be looking at a blank space because of the BCNDP's Airbnb ban. This is exactly why we proposed amendments to exempt major events. 70k attendance or more. 23k hotel rooms. Book now!
@BCUnitedCaucus
Seven years ago today I officially received my PhD - Eve was 2 and Asher 6months.
My heart will never forget looking at Evie in the audience smiling and clapping like she knew what all the fuss was about. Thanks
@robwilllore
.
Cc:
@rgcjohnston3
💜
Shout out to all my orange 🍊 sisters on the ballot today who believe in climate action, a more equitable and just society, dignity and compassion in our public services, and our own agency and power.
#bcpoli
Talking about tearing other women down - attacking me on THIS issue, one I have clearly and continually worked so hard on in and outside this work based on an (correct) acronym?
Every member of BCUP taking a turn to stand up and make the case that everyone should be able to have an extra home to use as a short term rentals.
😵💫
I’ll be voting no on this amendment
I just hit the block button for the first time as an elected official.
The offence? Coming at my dream-boat-spouse and me as a mother (on a video I made about housing in our community? 🤷♀️)
So there's the line, friends.
All children should feel safe and respected. A supportive environment is essential for Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary youth. We'll continue to work to ensure that all young people experience safety and have equal opportunities to learn and grow.
@VoteYYJWilliams
Hi Janice - there is no maternity leave for MLAs or cabinet ministers.
Can you tell me more about what you mean by this tweet?
IMO a 3rd trimester cabinet minister moving transformative legislation through the house while also planning to keep doing her job w/ baby is amazing
@BowinnMa
is on my list of awesome women who inspired me to opt into this & do the good work for my community with the
@bcndp
team. Hard working, smart, and doing it for the folks North Vancouver-Lonsdale. 🧡✊🏼
Today I witnessed a yelling match between people about whether they should or should not be on the ferry. A reminder to stay local whenever you can AND an equally strong reminder that you don’t know people’s stories
Do your part, opt for kindness, and let’s keep it together
Today, another one of my loved ones that I’ve worried most about for the last 14 months is getting her first vaccine. I could cry. Today, as every day, all my gratitude for everyone hustling to get those shots in arms. ❤️❤️
An unbelievable morning at
@BCLegislature
. The Knowledge Totem Pole is repaired & back up. An incredible contribution by Doug August and generations of his family.
Grateful to join to witness alongside
@rajchouhan
@AdamPOlsen
and
@SoniaFurstenau
, the August family and Leg staff
Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A day for legislators like me to reflect on the colonial past and present and the work before us. Today, I pledge to ground my work as an MLA, a Parliamentary Secretary, and a member of my community in the Calls to Action.
We can now bike almost entirely on protected lanes from our neighborhood to downtown. Went year-end shopping for our amazing teachers and for
#FathersDay
gifts by bike.
Eve said it was good for the 🌎, and for me - time with her was good for my ❤️
#yyjbikes
#yyj
#bcpoli
This is NOT the first time he has used violent gestures in the house.
IMO
@KevinFalcon
should say out loud what he did and actually acknowledge why it’s harmful.
There is no space for this in our legislature or our democracy.
Sometimes I can’t believe this is my work place.
Since announcing that we are removing a barrier for those wanting to change their gender marker, I have received a number of violent, horrible messages. I won’t repeat or platform those here, but wanted to be very clear…
#bcpoli
Where are my pro-housing Swifties?
I know you're out there!
💜 Do you love Taylor Swift AND believe homes are for people, families, and communities? 💜
Let's be friends.
People needing a place to stay in Vancouver will be looking at a blank space because of the BCNDP's Airbnb ban. This is exactly why we proposed amendments to exempt major events. 70k attendance or more. 23k hotel rooms. Book now!
@BCUnitedCaucus
Currently in BC, people who are not fully vaccinated and get COVID-19 are 12x more likely to be hospitalized, and 27x more likely to end up in critical care. Protect yourself and your loved ones. Get fully vaccinated, get boosted, get your kids vaccinated.
This
#proudboys
trend is content I'm here for. AS IF searching this hashtag is now a source of joy! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 The BC I'll be working for is a BC for my queer, gay, lesbian, trans, Two Spirit, and non-binary brothers, sisters, siblings, and friends. 🧡🧡🧡
Asher and I would also like to remind you that our
#covid19
cases are rising & we can’t let up yet. For the ones we love, for those we don’t know - bigger spaces, fewer faces; inside - your bubble only; ❌ non essential travel & events
🌳🌳😷 🧼 if 🤧 Stay 🏡
Hang in there pls!
Wow! Victoria, you were 👏🏼AWESOME👏🏼 today.
🌈So proud to be your MLA🌈
Love
#FTW
📸 - all the fabulous ppl who joined us because I was too 💃🏻 to take pics!
Whether talking about COVID or our overdose crisis, Dr. Bonnie Henry is evidence-based, people-centred, and compassionate. This is a combo we should all emulate and everything I want to be
#whenigrowup
Did you know that Victoria has the most trans, non binary, and gender diverse people living in our community in the whole country? I’m here to celebrate it.
Love and drag over hate every single day.
So pleased to announced this today along side
@MitziDeanBC
. Free prescription contraception is an investment in health care, reproductive rights, and equity. Thank you to the hard work of advocates like
@devonblack
and the others at
@AccessBC
.
We know women have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. As we mark
#IWD
we must both recognize the challenges and losses, and celebrate those who have stepped up during the global pandemic.
Read my op-ed here👇
International bestselling author
@Tara_Moss
is an outspoken advocate for women, children and people with disabilities, a UNICEF ambassador for Child Survival, A PhD candidate...And now, she’s also an Honorary Citizen Award winner! Congratulations, Tara!
Snowy day down at the
@BCLegislature
- spent the last couple of days connecting with partners, learning and listening.
Grateful to get down to work on some of the most important work government does in the Ministry of Children and Family.
A swearing in for the times!!
I am so honoured and so grateful for the trust the people in this community have put in me and I cannot get to work.
#bcpoli
#yyj
Misleading voters is 💯 unacceptable.
In this and in every election do your research, get informed, & make a plan to vote.
And protect trans kids and queer families.
#bcpoli
#yyjpoli
#yyj
Does this mean Falcon and the BC liberals are ready to admit it was wrong & cruel to cancel funding to women's centres? That the cuts damaged communities & hurt survivors? That advocates and service providers spent 1.5 decades grinding to keep communities safe? We need to hear it
I’m proud to support women, work with women and raise two beautiful young girls, but there is still work to be done. This
#IWD2022
, let’s work together to promote the role of women globally, which is key to realizing much-needed economic and social advancements around the world.
Happy anniversary
@robwilllore
! Two babies, countless adventures, this guy walking beside me through a PhD, elections, & the tougher sides of life.
Today he shared a romantic note: grateful to be on this wild journey and the only 7-year-ich was the head lice
#children
#love
❤️😜
Reading the news this morning on
#cdnpoli
, I’m remind that we aren’t having these discussions/debates/arguments here in BC because everyone of 87 MLAs is vaccinated and all continue to do the work of encouraging vaccinations in their community! Yay
#bcpoli
! 🙌🏼 in all directions
People (not doctors) know their gender - and that's all the confirmation we, as government, need.
We also recognize that this requirement created a barrier to accessing gender-affirming identification and can create unsafe and potentially traumatizing situations.