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MLA Horgan has been having a busy summer

NDP MLA talks about refineries and emergency preparedness
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Horgan’s hot dogs John Horgan

John Horgan, MLA for Juan De Fuca, has been having a busy summer. As NDP house leader, his days are filled with legislative assembly affairs and matters pertaining to energy. As the energy critic his role is to find fault but he said he would rather be doing something.

A scheduled emergency preparedness meeting with the neighbouring communities of Sooke, Otter Point, Shirley, Metchosin, etc. had to be rescheduled. They are seeking ways to determine who would be liable when they cross borders and what roles each community would play in the event of an emergency.

He did take a few weeks off for a holiday and ended up following the Stanley Cup up to Port McNeill, combining a family holiday with a bit of work.

“I’m just trying to deal with the responsibility as house leader and energy critic,” said Horgan in an phone interview. “I’m trying to keep grounded with people and charge ahead.”

In reference to Victoria businessman david Black’s announcement of plans to build a $13 billion oil refinery in Kitimat, Horgan said he was “pretty harsh on it.”

“It was for no reason other than an entrepreneur put forward an idea with no money or numbers on it. He’s got to back that up,” said Horgan.

Horgan said a refinery might solve half the problem but the other issues, such as environmental ones, had to be looked at.

“I  never want to dismiss someone who has come up with an idea, especially one with so many zeros in it,” said Horgan.

He said he agreed with Mr. Black’s efforts to try and calm the waters and he also agreed with the principle of adding value. Horgan said adding value to B.C.’s natural gas would be a good step.

“The principle is exactly the same... the owners say why send oil to Kitimat of the Chinese don’t want to buy refined products?”

Horgan said he disagreed with Premier Christy Clark as it is Enbridge who we should be asking for more benefit, not Alberta.