Forestry announcement long overdue but a welcome relief
VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green Caucus has issued the following statement in response to today’s forestry announcement:
“After six years of our caucus pushing for these changes, I am relieved and grateful to see substantial and transformative changes to forestry in B.C.,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “It is important to recognize that these changes are the result of decades of tireless work by First Nations and environmental advocates.”
“The Premier’s decision to remove ‘unduly reducing the supply of timber’ from regulations is a game changer. This will allow the Chief Forester to consider other values on the land including biodiversity and water quality.
B.C. Greens repeat call for psychologists to be covered under MSP
VICTORIA, B.C. - With mental health in decline, the B.C. Green Caucus is calling for the BC NDP to cover psychologists under MSP. This would help expand the access and affordability of mental health services and ensure all British Columbians can access the health care they require.
“People need early intervention in their mental health,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “With all the talk on involuntary care, nothing has been said by the Premier or the Leader of the Opposition on proactive, preventive mental health care. While treatment options must absolutely be expanded, we must also recognize that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s time to treat the brain as part of the body.”
B.C. Greens call for free contraception
VICTORIA, B.C. – On day one of Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week, the B.C. Green Caucus is repeating the call for free contraception, declared a basic human right by the United Nations and a commitment made by the BC NDP over two years ago.
“Two years into this majority government and British Columbians continue to shell out hundreds of dollars a year for this basic care, despite a promise for urgent action and growing affordability problems,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.
“With the rising costs of living, providing free contraception is a concrete measure this government can put in place that will provide immediate and ongoing financial relief for people.
Furstenau calls on Health Minister to acknowledge systemic workplace issues for healthcare professionals and to embrace solutions
VICTORIA B.C. – B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau today called on Health Minister Adrian Dix to acknowledge the systemic issues facing healthcare in the North Island region and across BC, and to urgently work with healthcare workers to implement solutions.
B.C. Greens table several pieces of legislation
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today, Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands introduced several pieces of legislation, including repealing the $10 fee for freedom-of-information (FOI) requests, protecting bear dens, and banning prolonged solitary confinement in corrections facilities.