VICTORIA, B.C. – Over the recent six-week fall session the B.C. Green Caucus advocated strongly for environmental protection, social equity, and brought forward solutions to social and economic issues facing the Province while raising concerns about the government’s worsening record on transparency and democratic accountability.
“This government has been more concerned with consolidating its own power rather than fulfilling its promise to build a stronger B.C.,” said Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.
“Housing remains a real concern in our constituencies and across the province. We have heard promises from the BC NDP Government, but the reality is many people are at risk of homelessness who have never experienced homelessness before. The cost of housing is rising and rents are rising with it. This government continues to accept that a house is a commodity, not a human right, and until that perspective changes we will continue to see more people in precarious housing. We brought that conversation into the legislative chamber to hold the BC NDP to account for the promises they have made to British Columbians.“
This B.C. Green Caucus pushed for a ban on conversion practices, fought against giving breaks to the oil and gas industry, worked to strengthen forestry reforms, and held the government accountable in their attempts to restrict transparency and access-to-information through changes to freedom of information legislation, proposing several amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Green MLAs continue to advocate for greater collaboration and transparency on our public health crises. This session we continued to attempt to bring all parties together, alongside the other members of the Official Opposition, on the toxic drug crisis and the COVID-19 response. We supported the call from the Official Opposition to form an all-party working group to review the provincial government’s response to emergencies.
“We are still in the midst of two public health emergencies - the COVID-19 pandemic, and the toxic drug supply crisis. The BC NDP government must learn from its past mistakes and this time be proactive in its attempt to reduce illness and stress on the provincial health system. We should be using every tool available, like effective safe supply, data transparency and a program to provide rapid COVID-19 tests to the households of all children in schools. Families should feel safe to gather in small groups over the holiday season.”
“While some of the legislative changes this session are important, many faced fierce blowback because they were rushed or poorly consulted on. We are increasingly worried about the way that this government is making decisions. If it was doing a better job of process, they wouldn’t be facing this level of pushback and anger. The opposition plays a critical role in strengthening that democracy by teasing out these faults in legislation and giving a voice to outside stakeholders and members of the public that bear the impacts of these choices.
“We must work to strengthen democratic processes, not diminish them. The B.C. Green Caucus is proud to have stood up for housing, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, environmental reform, transparency, policing accountability, and good governance this fall session, and looks forward to the return of the Legislature in the spring.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]