VICTORIA, B.C. – Today the B.C. Green Caucus voted in favour of this year’s provincial budget, to continue to build on the change that has begun under this minority government.
“We are at a significant moment in our province, and we firmly believe that we cannot give up on the challenging work before us,” said B.C. Green Party interim leader MLA Adam Olsen for Saanich-North and the Islands. “Instead, this is the time to lean into it further. We must continue to advance systemic solutions to address systemic problems."
“We have initiated significant changes, including being the first jurisdiction to pass the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and creating a climate plan that makes us a leader in North America. But we must not lose focus on implementing these commitments. CleanBC cannot be used to greenwash further fossil fuel development. The Coastal GasLink conflict, ignited last year by the passage of Bill 10, continues to challenge and divide our province. Government needs to commit more than ever to the work of reconciliation to create certainty and a solid framework for a respectful and inclusive consent-based process going forward.”
Under this minority government, we have made progress on a number of the issues facing British Columbians, including: removing the corrupting influence of corporate and union donations from our politics; tackling money laundering, speculation and fraud in our housing market; beginning to deliver quality affordable child care to young families; revitalizing the Environmental Assessment process; and championing reform to the professional reliance system.
“This year’s budget begins to implement a number of joint priorities articulated in CASA. This budget increases funding for CleanBC, improves access to post-secondary education through the new B.C. Access Grant, and implements an inquiry into money laundering,” said B.C. Green MLA Sonia Furstenau for Cowichan Valley.
“However, this budget shows that the NDP government does not have a strategic vision for the economy. It isn’t enough to make life more affordable. Now is the time to go all-in on transitioning to a clean and equitable economy, using CleanBC as an economic plan to create true prosperity and respond fully to the climate emergency.”
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