Drug toxicity report demonstrates urgent need for leadership
VICTORIA, B.C - In response to the BC Coroners Service’s report released today on unregulated drug deaths and youth drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia, Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, has issued the following statement:
"It is truly staggering that unregulated drug toxicity, as revealed in the Coroner's report, surpasses all other causes of death among individuals aged 10 to 59 in British Columbia. These drug-related fatalities far outnumber the combined deaths resulting from homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural diseases.
Furstenau: Call for power long overdue
VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to Premier David Eby’s plan for the future of clean energy in B.C. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:
“We support BC Hydro's call to procure power and the province's recognition that we need to act now to meet growing demand and to supply clean energy in the province.
“However, the admission that we need more energy should have come years ago when the alarm bells first sounded. After the BC NDP suspended the Standing Offer Program in 2019, many small renewable energy projects spearheaded by First Nations were left in the lurch. We are keen to learn more about the details of the new program and how it will support independent power projects and Indigenous nations.
B.C. Greens propose proactive measures to address teacher shortage
VICTORIA, B.C. – As the school year comes to a close, the teacher shortage has worsened and faculty and students have seen an increase in burnout and mental health challenges. The B.C. Green Caucus is calling for a suite of proactive measures to address this issue, preventing further deterioration.
“If you're seeing signs of system failure you don't tinker, you save it,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “The recent BCTF membership survey reveals that we need to pay very close attention to frontline education staff. Just like what we are hearing from frontline healthcare staff on how dire conditions are, this survey is key to understanding how serious conditions are in education.
BC Greens call for reform amid healthcare crisis
LANGFORD B.C. – B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau today called on the BC NDP to reform healthcare leadership in B.C. amid a healthcare crisis that is seeing chronic staff shortages and an increase in preventable patient deaths. Surrey Memorial Hospital is the latest hospital to reach a crisis-level as the emergency department struggles to admit new patients.
“A year ago, the former premier said that our healthcare system was teetering. Since then, things have gotten worse, and doctors, nurses, and patients are repeatedly sounding the alarm,” said leader Sonia Furstenau. “This government responds with announcements, but ignores the underlying issues that are contributing to these outcomes. We need an overhaul of how healthcare decisions are made in this province.”
Flaring at LNG plants could increase premature birth rates by 50%; B.C. Greens call for B.C. NDP to pause Woodfibre LNG
SQUAMISH B.C. – B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau today called on the B.C. NDP government to pause plans for Woodfibre LNG based on recent research that reveals pregnant people living near fossil fuel facilities that use flaring are at a 50% higher risk of premature birth than those without exposure. Flaring refers to the practice of burning off excess gas for various reasons, including pressure variations in pipelines, economic valuation, waste management and facility maintenance.