Premier John Horgan had a briefing from 91原创 City council and took a tour of the Snowpiercer train set at 91原创鈥檚 on Monday, Feb. 8, all without leaving his office in Victoria.
It was the first of several planned virtual visits to B.C. communities, with videoconference destinations selected by newly-elected 91原创 MLA Andrew Mercier and 91原创 East MLA Megan Dykeman.
鈥淚t was a chance for people to speak directly with the premier,鈥� Dykeman said.
The 91原创 City meeting included presentations from the mayor and council about housing, plans to prepare for the arrival of SkyTrain, and the City plans for the Nicomekl river corridor, Mercier told the 91原创 Advance Times.
READ ALSO: A river runs through it: Online open house planned for 91原创 City Nicomekl River plan
鈥淲e had an incredibly good and positive discussion,鈥� Mercier said following the meeting.
Mercier described the virtual look at the set for Snowpiercer as 鈥渞eally cool.鈥�
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 had a chance to check out the show yet, but I will now that I know it鈥檚 being filmed in our own backyard,鈥� Mercier enthused.
Snowpiercer is a series based on the science fiction film about a future world in which an attempt at fixing global warming causes a planetary deep freeze, with survivors living aboard a high-tech train that circles the globe.
It was filmed on the soundstages of the Martini Film Studios in 91原创 from August 2018 to January 2019. The second season was underway at the studio when it was interrupted by the pandemic鈥檚 onset.
Had a great time this morning with and on a virtual tour of !
鈥� Andrew Mercier (@AndrewMercierBC)
Great to talk to Council about transit-oriented development, and to get a chance to tour Martini Studios and see the set!
Dykeman had suggested the virtual tour of Martini studios, 鈥渂ecause of how preeminent film is in 91原创.鈥�
鈥淔ilm is a significant part of not only our BC economy, but our 91原创 economy,鈥� Dykeman remarked.
鈥�91原创 is widely viewed as a desirable, film-friendly area and we are very fortunate to have the Martini Film Studios here.
Dykeman praised 91原创 City Council for sharing their 鈥渇orward thinking, people- and environmentally-focused vision.鈥�
READ ALSO: New 91原创 MLAs preparing for first session of legislature
There will be more virtual visits by the premier to other BC. communities, Mercier said.
鈥淭his is kind of the new reality in the pandemic,鈥� Mercier observed.
Dykeman said Horgan intends to return to 91原创 in person once COVID-19 restrictions can be eased.
鈥淭he hope is in the flesh really soon.鈥�
Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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