B.C. Greens respond to 2023 Budget
VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC NDP government’s 2023 Budget acknowledges the current challenges in British Columbia but fails to shape a better future for British Columbians.
“It takes courage to make lasting changes that support people over the long term, not just cheque by cheque,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “This premier’s first budget makes some good investments but keeps British Columbians dependent on once-a-year tax credits from the government, instead of actually making the cost of living more manageable.
B.C. Greens Call For Major Investments In Public Transportation
VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green Caucus is calling on the BC NDP to increase provincial funding of BC Transit to $1 billion dollars to create a robust public transit system across the province.
“A good public transportation system can help create more liveable and healthier communities, reduce emissions and road congestion, and bring considerable economic benefits,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “British Columbians living outside of Metro Vancouver have been chronically underserved. The $1B investment should fund regional transit strategies for areas like the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and Vancouver Island.
B.C. Greens propose four-day workweek pilot
VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green Caucus is calling on the BC NDP to pilot a four-day workweek across the province.
“It's time British Columbians had a better work-life balance,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “People are exhausted from trying to keep up with rising costs of living, inadequate healthcare, and working through a pandemic. Business owners and managers are facing a significant labour shortage and are struggling to keep employees.
B.C. Greens call for raise in shamefully low disability rates
VICTORIA, B.C. - With nearly a quarter of people with disabilities living in poverty in British Columbia, the B.C. Green Caucus is calling on the BC NDP to raise the shamefully low disability rates to above the poverty line while waiting for federal funding.
“By some estimates, persons with disabilities (PWD) experience poverty at twice the rate of persons without disabilities,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “It’s time for the BC NDP to step up and support some of B.C.’s most vulnerable people.”
Greens respond to Tseshaht First Nation findings
VICTORIA, B.C. – Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and a member of the Tsartlip First Nation has issued the following statement in response to Tseshaht First Nation announcing its findings of 17 more potential unmarked graves, and the deaths of at least 67 children at the former site of Alberni Indian Residential School.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and hearts go out to the families of residential school students and survivors of Alberni Indian Residential School.
“We remain fully committed to advocating for Indigenous communities to have the resources available to them to do this important work in a good way.”