VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Greens, and Sonia Furstenau, House Leader of the B.C. Green Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the joint letter published today by B.C.’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ombudsperson, and Merit Commissioner. This letter calls for changes to improve transparency and accountability in the Legislative Assembly.
“The recent events at the Legislature, particularly the allegations outlined in the Speaker’s report, have exposed a long-standing culture of entitlement in the B.C. Legislature. British Columbians have lost trust in their democratic institution and its ability to act in the public interest,” said Andrew Weaver.
“That is why measured, independent responses are essential. We need to address the structural framework that allowed the alleged wrongdoing to continue for so long. British Columbians deserve better than knee-jerk attempts to save face. The recommendations of the B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ombudsperson, and Merit Commissioner set a meaningful direction for a path towards improving checks and balances in the Legislative Assembly.”
“As the B.C. Green representative on the Legislative Assembly Management Committee, I look forward to discussing these recommendations with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle,” said Sonia Furstenau. “As the letter highlights, the disappointing allegations in the Speaker’s report also offer an opportunity for us to do better. I anticipate that these recent events will usher in a new era of transparency in B.C. politics.”
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