NCAH Heat Pumpers Rule!
The Heat Pump Team of Larry Whaley, Kathryn-Jane Hazel and Laurie Friskie, accompanied by Trent Whaley of Nanaimo Strong Towns and Lukas Whaley, Larry’s grandson, made their way to
the BC Legislature bright and early the morning of Mar. 12th.
Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo MLA, introduced us to the legislature during Question Period, and we all stood up and did the great reveal of our I Love Affordable Heat Pumps T-shirts hidden beneath our jackets, while Bev Bailey, Minister for Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, gave an enthusiastic fist-pump.
After lunch we returned to the legislature and met Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, where Laurie presented him with his own I Love Affordable Heat Pumps T-shirt, which he
promptly put on. Then we headed off to the meeting with Josie Osborne, Minister of Mines, Energy and Low Carbon Innovation.
Our 15 minutes with the minister was reduced to 10, but even in that short time, we made an impression. Laurie expressed appreciation for what Minister Osborne had done in keeping BC Hydro rates low, and what that had meant for her; Kathryn gave a brief description of NCAH and what it has done; and then talked about her own experience with the heat dome and getting a heat pump. Minister Osborne seemed genuinely moved when Kathryn described the hellish temperatures and the symptoms of heat exhaustion that she suffered during the heat dome.
Larry presented the petition asking for affordable heat pumps, which had 652 names, as well as numerous comments from those who signed, and explained our rationale for requesting transparent billing. It was clear to us from Minister Osborne’s response that she had been well-briefed on our concerns. She understood why we were asking for transparency in billing, and seemed supportive.
We concluded with a presentation of our now-famous I Love Affordable Heat Pumps T-shirt to the minister, and had photos taken. We may have only had a few minutes with the minister, but our planning had paid off, and we made an effective presentation in the time that was available to us.
the BC Legislature bright and early the morning of Mar. 12th.
Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo MLA, introduced us to the legislature during Question Period, and we all stood up and did the great reveal of our I Love Affordable Heat Pumps T-shirts hidden beneath our jackets, while Bev Bailey, Minister for Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, gave an enthusiastic fist-pump.
After lunch we returned to the legislature and met Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, where Laurie presented him with his own I Love Affordable Heat Pumps T-shirt, which he
promptly put on. Then we headed off to the meeting with Josie Osborne, Minister of Mines, Energy and Low Carbon Innovation.
Our 15 minutes with the minister was reduced to 10, but even in that short time, we made an impression. Laurie expressed appreciation for what Minister Osborne had done in keeping BC Hydro rates low, and what that had meant for her; Kathryn gave a brief description of NCAH and what it has done; and then talked about her own experience with the heat dome and getting a heat pump. Minister Osborne seemed genuinely moved when Kathryn described the hellish temperatures and the symptoms of heat exhaustion that she suffered during the heat dome.
Larry presented the petition asking for affordable heat pumps, which had 652 names, as well as numerous comments from those who signed, and explained our rationale for requesting transparent billing. It was clear to us from Minister Osborne’s response that she had been well-briefed on our concerns. She understood why we were asking for transparency in billing, and seemed supportive.
We concluded with a presentation of our now-famous I Love Affordable Heat Pumps T-shirt to the minister, and had photos taken. We may have only had a few minutes with the minister, but our planning had paid off, and we made an effective presentation in the time that was available to us.
