Week 1 with Nick Gilchrist

Week 1: 11/03/2019 In this pilot episode Nick and I convene at my dining room table to discuss the past week. With no game plan heading into the conversation it literally could have gone in any direction. We kick it off by discussing Bill 41, The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019) (DRIPA). Nick asks about the history of the Bill and we end up talking broadly about how a Bill moves from introduction to adoption. We explore the role of opposition - is it to improve the Bill or make government look stupid? I take a few minutes to explore the impact Idle No More had on shifting the public perception of Indigenous people and related issues. Nick inquires about how the DRIPA will effect Saanich North and the Islands and the relationships between the municipal and Indigenous governments. We tackle another pressing issue this week - the labour disruption in School District #63. Nick wants a summary about how we got here and we discuss the wage disparity that is the root of the problem. We discuss how the strike is effecting families and how the recruitment and retention issue in the Saanich school district due to the low wages for support staff puts the district at a competitive disadvantage. I strongly emphasize that the status quo is eroding the quality of education because staffing shortages means our children are not getting the help they need each and every day. We wrap up the conversation with an impromptu chat about my daily blogging and podcasting. Nick asks if I am unique as an MLA producing daily content. I highlight that all my colleagues are producing content and sharing their opinions on social media every day. I briefly discuss the benefit of the personal discipline required to produce long form content at such a high frequency. I'd love to hear what you think about this format and conversation. If everyone doesn't hate it then there will be a Week 2. If you want to get a hold of Nick visit his Facebook page. (If your not on Facebook leave a comment below and I will connect you.) Check out Dr. Joy Shumka Chiropractor, Brewsky's Taphouse, Brentwood Bay Village Empourium.