B.C. Greens repeat call for Employer Health Tax reform
Victoria, B.C. – In response to the recent report by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, which highlights an estimated additional cost of $6.5 billion on B.C. businesses due to government taxes and programs, Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, is once again pushing for reform of the Employer Health Tax (EHT).
“As financial pressure on B.C. businesses continues to grow and our province faces multiple challenges, including rising inflation and labor shortages, small and medium-sized businesses are feeling the weight of these economic strains,” said Furstenau. "By reforming the EHT and alleviating the financial burden on small and medium-sized businesses, we can foster an environment of sustainability, innovation, and prosperity.”
BC Greens push for Artificial Intelligence task force
VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Green Caucus is calling on the BC NDP to establish an all-party task force on artificial intelligence (AI) to create a common understanding among MLAs and ensure ongoing consultation with academia, industry, the public sector, and the public.
“Today’s news of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner investigating ChatGPT reinforces that AI may pose a real threat and the legislative assembly needs to understand how it may impact our society,” said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.
B.C. Greens call for increased support for families of children with complex care needs
VANCOUVER B.C. – Dr. Sanjiv Gandhi, B.C. Green Party deputy leader, released the following statement today calling for increased support for families of children with complex care needs.
“Caring for a medically-complex child is a full-time responsibility, which far exceeds that of caring for a well child. Families of these kids are running mini intensive care units in their homes, with ventilators, oxygen, IV and subcutaneous infusions, feeding tubes and pumps, suction machines, and potent prescription medications.
Gandhi questions cost of sending cancer patients to the U.S.
VANCOUVER B.C. – The B.C. Green Party is calling for a full explanation of the costs associated with the B.C. NDP’s recently-announced plan to send some breast- and prostate- cancer patients to the U.S. for radiation therapy. On top of the distressing reality that cancer patients will be sent out of the country for treatment, the figures provided by the Minister of Health appear to significantly underestimate the total costs (see attached). This money would have been far better spent by proactively investing in our own healthcare system, given that the government was warned of a likely increase in the number of cancer patients as many as 11 years ago.
Political will urgently needed as unregulated drug deaths continue to rise in B.C.
VICTORIA, B.C - Today, the BC Coroners Service reported 206 suspected unregulated drug deaths in April. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, has issued the following statement:
“Our province remains entrenched in an ongoing health emergency that continues to claim the lives of British Columbians. The magnitude of this crisis is profound, causing immense loss and devastation for families and communities.
“Nearly seven people are dying every day - an increase over previous months. Despite political narratives, people are continuing to die from unregulated toxic drugs and a lack of concrete actions to prevent these deaths.