VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, issued the following statement following the meeting between Premiers John Horgan and Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Trudeau regarding the Trans Mountain pipeline.

“I am encouraged to see Premier Horgan continue to stand up for B.C.’s right to protect our economy, our environment and our people,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for children and youth, released the following statement regarding B.C. Children and Youth Advocate Bernard Richard stepping down.

“I have greatly appreciated Bernard’s work and his advocacy for children in British Columbia,” said Furstenau.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, is calling for politicians to hold themselves to a higher standard of facts and evidence in discussions around the Trans Mountain pipeline.

“There is an inordinate amount of fear-mongering going on in the political climate surrounding Trans Mountain,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for wild salmon, released the following statement regarding the report released today by The Minister of Agriculture's Advisory Council on Finfish Aquaculture.

“This report highlights the challenges with addressing the role of aquaculture in our efforts to protect B.C.’s wild salmon stocks,” said Olsen.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and spokesperson for wild salmon, issued the following statement of support for the group of local chefs calling for an end to open net-pen wild salmon farming. A letter signed by over 50 chefs was sent to Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development Minister Donaldson and Agriculture Minister Popham calling for the end to open pen-net fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago, whose tenures are up for renewal this spring.

“Wild salmon are of irreplaceable economic and cultural importance to our province,” said Olsen.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, issued the following statement in response to the government’s announced changes to the speculation tax.

“It’s a positive sign that this government is willing to listen to British Columbians and to make adjustments to policies,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green Caucus released a letter sent to LNG Canada clarifying the Caucus’ position on the government’s proposed LNG regulations. The letter, sent on Monday March 19, came after the Caucus was was made aware of the the details of the government’s proposed LNG regime. The letter is intended to give industry maximum clarity, as the minority government requires the B.C. Green Caucus’ votes for general stability and to pass legislation.

“There are significant opportunities to grow B.C.’s economy while meeting our climate targets,” said Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party. “For instance, the supercluster funding announced last month is expected to generate 50,000 jobs and $15 billion in economic activity in B.C. in the next 10 years. Future development must fit within our climate targets, and the numbers on LNG simply don’t add up.”

VICTORIA, B.C. – B.C. Green Party MLA and spokesperson for agriculture Adam Olsen introduced a petition from his constituents in Saanich North and the Islands regarding concerns that a large scale cannabis facility is compromising agricultural lands.

“This petition underscores the need for government to address increased speculation on ALR land due to cannabis legalization,” said Olsen.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, introduced two private members bills to that would further the rights of British Columbians with diverse gender identity and expression. The bills are amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Information Protection Amendment Act (PIPA).

“Personal information such as sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and religious affiliation is already protected under FIPPA, in 2018 we should absolutely include gender identity and expression,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, introduced a Private Member’s bill to lower the voting age to 16 in B.C. This is the third time Weaver has introduced the bill.

“Young British Columbians have the greatest stake in the future of our province; they should have a say in the decisions our politicians make,” said Weaver.