BC Greens: New report exposes unjust isolation of youth in BC custody, urgent reform needed
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today, Ombudsperson British Columbia released a report titled Alone: The Prolonged and Repeated Isolation of Youth in Custody. The three-year investigation reveals that solitary confinement in BC's youth custody centers is unjust, unsafe, and disproportionately affects Indigenous youth. In response, Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and member of Tsartlip First Nation, has issued the following statement:
BC Greens call for ban on “forever chemicals” in menstrual products
VICTORIA, B.C. - This Earth Day, as we confront the widespread issue of plastics, the BC Greens are calling on the BC NDP to take a leadership role in advancing both women's health and environmental sustainability by banning menstrual products with intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals."
B.C. Green Party Announces Candidates for Cowichan, Vancouver, Surrey, and Kamloops for 2024 Election
Lək̓ʷəŋən [Lekwungen] Territory / Victoria B.C. – The B.C. Green Party announced today the candidacy of four distinguished leaders for the upcoming fall provincial election: Cammy Lockwood in Cowichan Valley, Dr. Devyani Singh in Vancouver- Point Grey, Pat McCutcheon in Surrey-Cloverdale, and Randy Sunderman in Kamloops Centre.
“I am thrilled to welcome Cammy, Devyani, Pat, and Randy to our distinguished slate of candidates for 2024," stated party leader Sonia Furstenau. "Their dedication to their communities and forward-thinking leadership qualities exemplify the kind of visionary candidates we proudly present."
Furstenau demands more than half measures on 8-year anniversary of toxic drug crisis
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today marks eight years since the illicit-toxic drug crisis was declared a public-health emergency in British Columbia. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:
“Eight years ago, our province was forced to confront the grim reality of the unregulated, highly toxic, and lethal drug supply. Yet, despite the ongoing severity of this emergency, the response from this government remains woefully inadequate. I am deeply concerned about the politicization of the crisis and the unwillingness of government to scale up the response. If it’s an emergency, treat it as one.
B.C. Greens reintroduce bill to end practice of solitary confinement
VICTORIA, B.C. – Today, the B.C. Greens reintroduced legislation to ban the use of prolonged solitary confinement in provincial correctional facilities for both adults and youth.
"Solitary confinement is a harmful and degrading tactic that inflicts psychological damage rather than aiding in the rehabilitation of inmates. It has a particularly severe impact on Indigenous people and is frequently misused in British Columbia's correctional system," said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, and member of Tsartlip First Nation. "We need a legislative approach that guarantees the rights of inmates to humane treatment and ensures transparency and accountability in the operations of these facilities."