VICTORIA, B.C. - This fall legislative session demonstrated the critical need for the B.C. Greens to hold the government accountable on key issues such as housing, climate, and family welfare. There is growing concern over the B.C. NDP’s lack of transparency, manipulative legislative tactics, and erosion of democracy.
“For the third straight session the B.C. NDP shut down debate and withheld information on bills that transform our communities. They are actively preventing opposition MLAs from doing the important job of critiquing the new laws,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.
The B.C. Greens’ commitment to data-driven, evidence-based policy is at odds with this government's reluctance to provide the information needed to properly review and question the laws, ultimately affecting how MLAs can help constituents and the people of B.C.
Addressing the housing affordability crisis:
The B.C. Greens have been actively addressing the housing affordability crisis by focussing on core housing needs, people whose housing is insecure, inadequate, or costs them more than 30% of their annual income. Green MLAs advocated for immediate investments in non-market housing.
“With more than 100,000 households in the extreme core housing needs, paying more than 50% of their income, the province must treat housing as a human right, and invest in non-market housing solutions so people who cannot afford the market price for housing, have a reasonable place to live safely,” said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “The B.C. NDP have chosen a mass upzoning of property to build more market housing with no requirement for any affordability whatsoever.”
Continuing to lead on climate action:
On climate, the B.C. Greens stand alone in taking climate action seriously, calling on government to end subsidies for oil and gas companies, set a timeline for reducing fracked gas production, halt old-growth logging, and ban fossil fuel advertising. Necessary questions were asked about LNG expansion, Site C, the continued logging of old growth, the protection of bear dens, and the decimation of spotted owls.
Demanding better child and family welfare:
When it comes to children and families, the B.C. Greens have been relentless in demanding accountability from the minister and the minister's team responsible for child protection. The child welfare system not only fails to protect children, it is resulting in severe neglect and death. It needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, and the first step is the minister taking responsibility for the ministry's failures.
Looking ahead:
"Our goal is affordable housing, climate disaster prevention, and safe homes for children,” said Furstenau. “Despite the B.C. NDP's concerning shift in approach since gaining power, the B.C. Greens remain committed to serving British Columbians in good faith and ensuring the highest quality of legislative work.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]