VICTORIA, B.C. - With mental health in decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, the B.C. Green Caucus is proposing a 12-month pilot project that would allow psychologists to become eligible providers of mental health services through government funded billing. This would help expand the access and affordability of mental health services and ensure all British Columbians can access the health care they require.

VICTORIA, B.C. - Today the B.C. Green Caucus is seeking additional actions from government to strengthen the accountability and transparency of the long-term care home sector in British Columbia.

VICTORIA, B.C. - The B.C. Green Caucus is thrilled with today's announcement of the new wellness and recovery centre in Cowichan Valley. The new centre will be located at 5878 York Road, Duncan and is set to open in fall 2020.

VICTORIA, B.C. - The BC Green Caucus has advocated for stronger vaping regulations and welcomes the announcement from government today.

VICTORIA, B.C. — Today the B.C. Greens welcomed the release of A Pathway to Hope: A roadmap for making mental health and addictions care better for people in British Columbia.

VICTORIA, B.C. — Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau is deeply concerned for the people affected by the current measles outbreak in Vancouver and encourages all British Columbians who are medically able to be vaccinated to do so.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, B.C. Green Spokesperson for Mental Health and Addictions, issued the following statement in recognition of World Mental Health Day:

“The purpose of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues so that we can reduce stigma and mobilize support efforts. It’s a day for dialogue and support, a day to come together and have brave conversations. Mental health impacts us all, our friends, families, and communities, yet it is so often associated with hurt and shame. By talking about it we can overcome the things that keep us isolated and forge a path forward through dialogue and care.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, B.C. Greens spokesperson for Mental Health and Addictions, issued the following statement on International Overdose Awareness Day:

“Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember and honour thousands of lives that have been lost or impacted by drug overdoses.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for children and families, says the breastfeeding action plan released by government today should be backed up by more resources to support new mothers and infants. The report comes after two court rulings found that the Ministry of Children and Family Development needed to do more to increase a mother’s access to her infant for breastfeeding and bonding and to consider the supports that were available in the mother's First Nations community to keep the family together.

“Today’s action plan is a step forward, however much more is needed, including funding for programs that will keep mothers and infants together,” said Furstenau.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, says the government’s proposed amendments to the Workers Compensation Act should be extended to all workers. The government’s amendment, which was introduced last week, further extends workers compensation benefits to first responders, sheriffs and correctional officers who suffer from job-related mental disorders by presuming the mental trauma was caused by the nature of an individual’s work, rather than having to prove it was work related.

“While I’m glad that B.C. is extending these protections to some workers, I am concerned that other British Columbians who suffer mental disorders on the job are being left out,” said Weaver.