Saltspringers will be missing Adam Olsen’s name on the slate for North Saanich and the Islands MLA this election. After two terms, he’s stepping down citing health and family reasons. We’ll miss him in more than ways than just being willing to represent a tough riding.
Geographically tough, needing ferries and stay-overs to visit constituents, the riding is also socially and culturally tough. Some of the richest enclaves in Canada push hard up against his own reserve of Tsartlip where elders like his uncle Carl Olsen stand vigil against the continued destruction of salmon habitat in their territory. Few can walk between these disparate worlds and Adam is one of them, actively cultivating a connected community while still retaining a sense of humour.
From the perspective of getting things done, Adam is part of the BC Green 2018 track record as kingmakers with the supply and confidence agreement stuck between the NDP and the Greens when they formed a minority government. That agreement got us the speculation tax on real estate, childcare legislation and the Clean BC Environmental Plan – and that was just with three MLAs.
As islanders, we had a powerful advocate for investments in Lady Minto and mental health services; a supported housing project for the extreme core housing need; bridging service gaps for the liveaboards in the harbours; and road safety improvements. A big win was securing the rural designation for the islands so we could qualify and access funding for much needed rural services.
Adam has always made time to sit on committees from the Southern Gulf Islands Forum Group to the Salt Spring Trail Network Working Group, attend ASK Saltspring, turn up for events from the Grace Islet actions to artshows. According to Laura Patrick, local trustee and Gary Holman, regional CRD Director, Adam’s advice was routinely sought about local matters even when it wasn’t in his jurisdiction. Patrick notes, “he could complain or refuse to get involved, but instead he opens his office and heart to gather all the voices to sit in circle and be heard.”
His biggest contribution are his speeches delivered in the legislature. We should collect them up in a book and make them required reading for every school kid in BC. Despite limited power as a backbencher, he took the time to carefully and respectfully research and script responses to Bills that spoke truth to power. He explained the confusing politics of reconciliation, addressed the colonial divide-and-conquer tactics that still pervade our policies, exposed the ‘talk-and-log’ rhetoric that continues to destroy our forests, or pointed out that policing and privacy acts reforms were not enough.
Like his uncle, Adam stood up and kept a vigil for salmon, and also orca and bears and children and public education systems and renters and the Salish Sea and the insecurely housed and the incarcerated and special needs – and on and on.
Go to his blog and see his ‘Response to Bills’ over the seven years he stood in that legislature giving a voice to the voiceless in government. Our representative has put into the public record a blueprint for policies that could and will solve so many of our interrelated societal and environmental issues. Adam you will be missed!
Come celebrate Adam’s achievements on September 13 from 1-3 at the Lion’s Hall on 103 Bonnet Ave. Light finger food and refreshments will be served.
