B.C. Greens call for paid practicums for nurses
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today, during National Nursing Week, the B.C. Green Caucus is calling on the BC NDP to create paid practicums for nursing students.
“Nurses are crucial to our healthcare system, caring for us from birth to end of life,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “However, they have been overlooked for too long, leading to burnout and a shortage of nurses. Unlike tradespeople who, justifiably, receive paid apprenticeships and subsidized tools, nurses often come out of school with significant debt.
Furstenau responds to BC Housing forensic investigation
VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Green Party and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement in response to the forensic investigation of BC Housing:
“Ernst and Young’s recommendations ask this government to consider a number of concrete actions which government has committed to implementing by Spring 2024. I am glad to see these steps being taken, but we’ve seen this government not follow through on its commitments to report recommendations before. If the government hopes to restore public trust, it is imperative that they follow through this time.
B.C. Greens call for clean air in public spaces
VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, is calling on the BC NDP to adopt clean air standards for indoor public spaces.
“Places like schools, hospitals, public transit, community centres, and libraries should be safe places to congregate,” said MLA Furstenau. “Clean air is incredibly important in preventing the transmission of disease and stopping the harms that come from air pollution, including wildfire smoke.
B.C. Greens call for immediate action on short-term rentals
VICTORIA, B.C. - The B.C. Green Caucus is calling on the Province to regulate the short-term rental industry, in order to reduce effects on the housing crisis and improve safety for renters and hosts.
“Currently, British Columbia has no system to accurately identify the number or type of housing units in the short-term rental market,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.
“Even in municipalities with existing bylaws and business license programs, hundreds if not thousands of units listed on these sites are unlicensed.”
Deadline to review the Mental Health Act missed, B.C. Greens call for action
VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green Caucus is calling on Premier David Eby to immediately begin a full public review of the outdated Mental Health Act (MHA).
“We deserve a world where everyone is safe and supported,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. “In my own community of Cowichan Valley, doctors tell me that patients are reporting with mental illness more than all other ailments. Meanwhile, the Mental Health Act continues to cause harm by enforcing outdated stereotypes and stigma for those who are mentally ill.
“B.C. has been found to be out-of-compliance with the Act on thousands of occasions. Waitlists for treatment are weeks to months long, and supportive housing often takes years to become available. It is irresponsible for Premier David Eby to speak about endorsing involuntary treatment without substantially overhauling the outdated Mental Health Act.