B.C. Greens respond to 10-year poverty reduction goals
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today, the BC NDP announced amendments to income and disability assistance legislation, and poverty reduction legislation. The B.C. Green Caucus has issued the following statement:
“Simply put, poverty reduction is not good enough. We need a poverty elimination strategy, otherwise, we can’t take this government seriously,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “At a time when people on disability and income assistance are falling far below the poverty line, this bill adds even greater bureaucratic demand with no recognition of the way in which these assistance programs are trapping people in poverty. We need entirely new thinking around how people with disabilities and on income assistance are served so programs are a path out of poverty and not a prison.”
B.C. Greens respond to gang recruitment near schools
VICTORIA, B.C. - Following the Victoria Chief of Police's alert regarding gangs actively targeting students near schools, the B.C. Green Caucus has issued the following statement:
“I support the community-based process that is underway and the work of the B.C. Greens Deputy Leader, Dr. Lisa Gunderson, who is a member of the Community Advocating for Students and Safety (CASS),” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.
B.C. Greens introduce new bill to protect renters
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today, the B.C. Green Caucus introduced the Residential Tenancy Amendment Act, to make housing more affordable and to protect renters. The proposed changes would prevent landlords from unfairly increasing rent when a unit becomes empty.
In British Columbia, the current practice of allowing landlords to raise rent only for existing tenants often leads to evictions aimed at increasing rents for new tenants. B.C. has the highest eviction rate in Canada, with 10.5% of renters evicted in the last five years, primarily due to 'no-fault' reasons.
Furstenau statement on the erosion of trans rights and gender-affirming care
Lək̓ʷəŋən [Lekwungen] territory / Victoria BC – Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Greens today voiced her concerns about Alberta’s proposed policy changes affecting transgender youth. Furstenau released the following statement reaffirming the B.C. Green Party's commitment to supporting trans and queer communities:
"Alberta’s proposed policy changes, which target transgender youth, have raised significant concerns among the trans and queer communities, including the potential spread of these policies to other provinces. Disinformation about gender-affirming healthcare is spreading across Canada, causing significant harm to vulnerable communities. The B.C. Greens stand in unwavering support of the rights and well-being of the trans and queer communities, as well as the parents and families of trans and queer children".
Smoke and mirrors budget from the BC NDP
VICTORIA, B.C. - In a year for bold moves, the BC NDP fails to read the room. Budget 2024 doesn't meet the moment we are facing, nor does it provide British Columbians with the support they need.
British Columbians are facing unprecedented calamities - in healthcare, housing, and climate - and expected a bold visionary budget going into an election. Instead, this budget offers the illusion of action and affordability but fails to provide concrete solutions.