New Energy Action Framework lacks details
VICTORIA, B.C. – Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and member of Tsartlip First Nation has released the following statement in response to the BC NDP government granting an environmental assessment certificate for Cedar LNG, another expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in B.C.
“What we know for sure from yesterday’s announcements is that the BC NDP approved a new LNG project, while many of the details of their other announcement, an Energy Action Framework, remain unclear or unknown.
“I can see the direction of the Energy Action Framework is largely positive - an emissions cap for oil and gas, expanding our electrification as per our 2030 roadmap, and fast-tracking clean energy technology are all good goals. However, the framework remains largely void of details. For example, we need to see the criteria for ‘net-zero’ and whether the MOU they announced turns into more government subsidies of the fossil fuel industry.
Gandhi responds to Health Ministry’s spring COVID vaccination program
VANCOUVER B.C. – B.C. Green deputy leader Dr. Sanjiv Gandhi issued the following statement in response to the B.C. government’s spring COVID vaccination program announcement earlier today:
“Unfortunately, today’s Public Health and Ministry of Health briefing regarding the spring COVID vaccination campaign continued to fail to properly educate British Columbians about the science of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, how the virus spreads, and how best to protect ourselves.
Furstenau responds to BC Coroner’s Illicit Drug Toxicity Report
VICTORIA, B.C. – Today, BC’s Chief Coroner released their most recent report on illicit drug toxicity deaths. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, has released the following statement:
“211 people died from poisoned drugs in January. Their deaths were avoidable. They leave hundreds of loved ones behind, adding to the tidal wave of people affected by the toxic drug crisis and lack of political will to fix it.
“We’ve seen from this report that more than ¾ of those dying are men in their thirties to fifties, dying at home alone. But it can be anyone - a teenager trying drugs for the first time at a party, a construction worker treating pain, or a father of two children managing a decade of addiction. This isn’t a wedge issue. This is a whole of British Columbia issue.
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 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.