VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, today introduces a Private Member’s Bill to establish a permanent day of remembrance for Holodomor in British Columbia. The Bill, The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (“Holodomor”) Memorial Day Act, 2017, would establish the fourth Saturday in November as an official day of remembrance. During Holodomor, 4-10 million Ukrainians were killed as a result of a man-made famine in 1932-33. One-third of those killed were children. An earlier version of the bill was twice introduced by NDP MLA Bruce Ralston.

“It is time this important day of remembrance was recognized by B.C.’s legislature,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, announced today that ride-hailing will go to an all-party committee of MLAs. For several weeks the B.C. Greens have been working with the B.C. NDP to develop an approach that would allow important questions related to ride-hailing to be canvassed. The committee, comprised of MLAs from all three parties, will engage with expert witnesses, debate the issue and produce a report to be released by February 15, 2018 intended to inform subsequent ride-hailing legislation next year.

“I am delighted that this issue will finally be addressed in a collaborative fashion by all three parties,” Weaver said.

VICTORIA, B.C. - The Election Amendment Act, which bans corporate, union and out-of-province donations in British Columbia’s electoral system, as well as limits the amount of money individuals can contribute, has passed third reading, the final political hurdle before becoming law. The B.C. Greens consulted extensively with the government in the development of the legislation, and introduced several amendments in order to increase transparency, reduce the influence of big money already in the system and make the legislation more equitable for small parties.

“I am absolutely thrilled that we have finally taken this significant step towards to putting people back at the centre of B.C. politics,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. - The B.C. Green caucus has sent a letter to the B.C. Liberal caucus requesting better cooperation on amendments.

VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, read a warning from a letter signed by from 15,364 scientists in 184 countries to the B.C. Legislature. The Letter, published last week by the Alliance of World Scientists and entitled “World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: a second notice,” warns world leaders that there needs to be change in order to save the earth.

“As leaders, we have a responsibility to younger generations to ensure that our actions today do not leave them worse off than we are,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. - The B.C. Greens introduced an amendment today to make the Elections Amendment Act, 2017 more equitable for small parties. The amendment would bring the threshold to receive campaign reimbursements for province-wide popular vote down to 5% from the currently proposed 10%.

“Our core goal with this legislation has been to ensure that people, not special interests, are what drive political campaigns in in this province,” said Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for campaign finance.

VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, and Adam Olsen, Party spokesperson for campaign finance, welcomed the introduction of a number of amendments to the Elections Amendment Act today. Two amendments, one to phase in quarterly reporting and another to limit the influence of big money currently in the system, were ideas that the B.C. Greens brought to the table during their consultations with the government following the introduction of the legislation earlier this year.

“Big money has been a notorious defining feature for B.C. politics, and it is remarkable how far we have come since the election,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, released the following statement in recognition of Remembrance Day.

“Remembrance Day is a time for all Canadians to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made by those who have served our country,” Weaver said.

VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, is calling for an overhaul of BC’s approach to the energy file. Weaver says that the politicization of energy has got in the way of sound fiscal management and evidence-based policies that would protect ratepayers and allow BC to become a leader in alternative energy.

“Energy has been treated like a political tool in this province, depriving British Columbians of the leadership and sound fiscal management they deserve from their government,” said Weaver.

VICTORIA, B.C. - Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, introduced a Private Member’s Bill that would increase the ability of British Columbians to access public lands. Weaver first introduced the bill, the Right to Roam Act, 2017, in February 2017 under the previous B.C. Liberal government.

“The ability to access and experience nature is a right for all British Columbians, and we must protect it,” said Weaver.