B.C. Greens repeat call for government to invest in Youth Climate Corps
VICTORIA, B.C - This week we saw Emergency and Disaster Management legislation introduced in the house. It’s a meaningful step towards building climate resilience yet requires a workforce to make this happen at the urgent scale needed.
"Young people province-wide are struggling to find purposeful, well-paying jobs, while communities grapple with climate crises," said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens, and MLA for Cowichan Valley. "A provincially funded Youth Climate Corps would provide a living wage for youth while enhancing climate action and resiliency in B.C."
Growing pains: B.C. Greens call for provincial commitment to address infrastructure deficit
VICTORIA, B.C - With the BC NDP government set to download more responsibility and costs on our communities the B.C. Green Caucus is calling on the province to pledge its support to local governments for the next three years.
“I acknowledge the phenomenal pressure the provincial and federal governments are applying on our local government colleagues to build more housing supply,” said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “The provincial and federal governments have known of the growing infrastructure deficit for more than a decade and failed to deliver a fiscal framework for local governments to address the problem.
B.C. Greens respond to new health protocols for respiratory illness season
VICTORIA B.C. –B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau and deputy leader Dr. Sanjiv Gandhi released the following statements in response to the province’s strategy to combat the fall respiratory illness season:
Sonia Furstenau, leader
“In healthcare settings, people should expect utmost protection for all—patients, healthcare workers, and staff. Reintroducing masks in response to rising cases, hospitalizations, and deaths exemplifies a reactive, not proactive, approach to healthcare in B.C.
“Applying the same principle that masks in hospitals protect patients and workers, the government can exhibit strong leadership by mitigating risk in schools and public buildings with evidence-based measures, such as superior filtration and ventilation systems.
“This government must make their decision-making processes clear and transparent.”
B.C. Green Party announces Stephanie Hendy as candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream
“It is my great pleasure to announce Stephanie Hendy as our candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream” said B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau. “Stephanie is a fierce advocate for community resources and services, with a keen awareness of how urban areas are often prioritized over rural areas. I am inspired by her determination to work to close this gap, and to ensure access to healthcare, recreation, and community support is the best it can be for her community. It’s definitely something we need more of in the legislature.”
Gandhi calls for implementation of 2017 Health Committee recommendations
VANCOUVER B.C. – In response to the escalating healthcare crisis that continues to impact the people of British Columbia, Dr. Sanjiv Gandhi, deputy leader of the B.C. Green Party, is urging the B.C. NDP government and Ministry of Health to implement all recommendations included in the “First Report of the Select Standing Committee on Health for the Sixth Session of the 40th Parliament” from 2017. The Report identified potential strategies for maintaining the sustainability and quality of British Columbia’s health care system and was unanimously adopted by the all-party Health Committee.