B.C. Green Party Announces Candidates for Cowichan, Vancouver, Surrey, and Kamloops for 2024 Election
Lək̓ʷəŋən [Lekwungen] Territory / Victoria B.C. – The B.C. Green Party announced today the candidacy of four distinguished leaders for the upcoming fall provincial election: Cammy Lockwood in Cowichan Valley, Dr. Devyani Singh in Vancouver- Point Grey, Pat McCutcheon in Surrey-Cloverdale, and Randy Sunderman in Kamloops Centre.
“I am thrilled to welcome Cammy, Devyani, Pat, and Randy to our distinguished slate of candidates for 2024," stated party leader Sonia Furstenau. "Their dedication to their communities and forward-thinking leadership qualities exemplify the kind of visionary candidates we proudly present."
Furstenau demands more than half measures on 8-year anniversary of toxic drug crisis
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today marks eight years since the illicit-toxic drug crisis was declared a public-health emergency in British Columbia. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:
“Eight years ago, our province was forced to confront the grim reality of the unregulated, highly toxic, and lethal drug supply. Yet, despite the ongoing severity of this emergency, the response from this government remains woefully inadequate. I am deeply concerned about the politicization of the crisis and the unwillingness of government to scale up the response. If it’s an emergency, treat it as one.
"We cannot ignore the underlying factors that contribute to this crisis. Deepening poverty and despair are driving more British Columbians into situations where they are at risk. We must remain focused on dismantling the conditions that lead to such vulnerabilities and on combating the deadly nature of the illicit-toxic drug supply that is taking too many lives.
"Indigenous communities have been especially hard hit by the toxic drug crisis. From 2015 to 2021, the life expectancy for First Nations decreased by seven years. Even more alarming, between 2019 and 2021, there was a further decline of nearly six years - a stark contrast to the one-year decrease experienced by other B.C. residents.
"The time for half-measures is over. We need serious, compassionate, and evidence-based solutions that address both the supply of toxic drugs and the social conditions that fuel this crisis.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]
B.C. Greens reintroduce bill to end practice of solitary confinement
VICTORIA, B.C. – Today, the B.C. Greens reintroduced legislation to ban the use of prolonged solitary confinement in provincial correctional facilities for both adults and youth.
"Solitary confinement is a harmful and degrading tactic that inflicts psychological damage rather than aiding in the rehabilitation of inmates. It has a particularly severe impact on Indigenous people and is frequently misused in British Columbia's correctional system," said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, and member of Tsartlip First Nation. "We need a legislative approach that guarantees the rights of inmates to humane treatment and ensures transparency and accountability in the operations of these facilities."
Seniors squeezed by costs, latest supports fall short
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today, the BC NDP announced new measures to support seniors and to enhance the Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) program. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, has issued the following statement:
“Seniors on fixed incomes in British Columbia are struggling. Rising costs of housing, healthcare, and daily living are pushing them to the brink, and the recent measures announced by the BC NDP, while a step in the right direction, fall short of the comprehensive action needed. The SAFER program is outdated and out of touch with the realities of today".
B.C. Greens target misleading fossil fuel ads amidst climate crisis
VICTORIA, B.C. - Following in the footsteps of the federal NDP, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs and other experts, the B.C. Green Caucus has introduced legislation to protect the public from misleading and deceptive fossil fuel advertisements.
“This bill is a big step to protect both the public and the planet. It shows we won’t accept greenwashing and that we demand transparency,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “The BC NDP needs to take a leadership role and stop being influenced by oil and gas lobbyists. It’s time to protect people, not profits.”