VICTORIA, B.C. – Today Finance Minister Carole James gave an economic and fiscal update for 2020-21, projecting a $12.5 billion deficit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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 provincial government formally striking the all-party committee to review the Police Act and engage with experts and communities, B.C. Green Party interim leader Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich-North and the Islands released the following statement:

“The B.C. Green Caucus welcomes the creation of a special committee to review the Police Act. We look forward to participating in a process that is informed by broad consultation with experts in community policing and community advocates who have done years of invaluable work to raise awareness of structural racism in policing.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Today’s announcement of the Youth Community Partnership program falls short of creating the jobs needed for British Columbia’s COVID-19 recovery and is only an incremental step in the right direction by the provincial government.

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. – 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. - The B.C. Greens are today releasing their framework for approach to recovery spending, which if followed will drive a Green Recovery for B.C.

VICTORIA B.C. – Sat Harwood, Chair of the B.C. Green Party’s Provincial Council, announced that the party will resume its leadership contest today. 

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. - The Residential Tenancy Amendment Act, a private member’s bill introduced by the B.C. Green Party and passed with all party support in 2019, will come into force tomorrow, May 30th, 2020.