VICTORIA, B.C. – Today, in line with their commitment to introducing anti-racism legislation, the government tabled Bill 24, the Anti-Racism Data Act. 

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General has tabled an amendment to proposed legislation as a result of issues raised by Adam Olsen, B.C. Green MLA for Saanich-North and the Islands and a member of Tsartlip First Nation, earlier in the legislative session. The amendment to clause 5 of the Firearm Violence Prevention Act was passed today in the Legislature.

VICTORIA, B.C. – One year ago today, historic legislation was passed to create a path forward to recognize and protect the human rights of Indigenous peoples in British Columbia.

VICTORIA B.C. – B.C. Green Leader Sonia Furstenau released the following statement on Orange Shirt Day:

“Today we recognize those who have been impacted by horrific injustices in residential schools. This is a time to acknowledge the past and current trauma, honour survivors, and mourn the lives of those who never made it home. Indigenous communities are still facing lasting impacts of traumatic experiences in the residential school system. 

VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to yesterday's announcement by independent investigator, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, on the launch of an investigation into Indigenous-specific racism in British Columbia's health care system, Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party interim leader and MLA for Saanich-North and the Islands has issued the following statement: 

“Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has assembled a team to investigate racism in B.C's health care system including specific allegations of racist behaviour in emergency rooms. A new survey will ask all Indigenous people in the province to confidentially provide information about experiences while accessing the health services.

VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to the news of racist acts occurring in British Columbia emergency rooms, MLA Adam Olsen, interim leader of the B.C. Green Party and member of the Tsartlip First Nation, issued the following statement:

“I am well aware of the racism that exists in our healthcare system and I know it’s pervasive. It is devastating to hear about such blatant acts of racism, not just because the incidents themselves are abhorrent, but because it speaks to a work environment in which they were not only tolerated, but trivialized. Let’s be clear: nothing about this is a ‘game’ and I am deeply saddened to hear it referred to as such. 

VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to new government protocols that will endeavour to provide consistent and reliable support for Indigenous children in care, Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley released the following statement:

“Creating a protocol to ensure that the Province and First Nations work together in order to improve the outcomes of Indigenous children in care is a positive step, but it is vitally important that we recognize the harm that has been perpetrated on Indigenous families and communities by the child welfare system.      

VICTORIA, B.C. - In response to the arrest of several Indigenous Youth yesterday, the B.C. Green Caucus released the following statement:

“Yesterday afternoon I was invited by Minister Fraser to bear witness to his conversation with the Indigenous youth,” said B.C. Green Party interim leader Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich-North and the Islands and a member of Tsartlip First Nation. 

VICTORIA, B.C. - B.C. Green Party interim leader MLA Adam Olsen has been invited by the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs to visit their camps in northern B.C. this weekend.

VICTORIA, B.C. — The Reclaiming Power and Place says the thousands of Indigenous women and girls who were murdered or disappeared across the country in recent decades are victims of a "Canadian genocide” characterised by the disproportionate level of violence these communities face within Canada through "state actions and inactions rooted in colonialism and colonial ideologies."