VICTORIA B.C. - Matt Toner, B.C. Green Party Deputy Leader, today released the following statement on the B.C. NDP’s technology platform announcement:

“We welcome the B.C. NDP’s announcement of investment in education in order to support the technology sector: It’s a necessary step, but it’s not sufficient. The Vancouver tech industry a notoriously ‘leaky bucket,’ ceding much of our talent to other cities. If we are going to train the next generation, we must ensure there are jobs waiting for our graduates.

VICTORIA B.C. – The Rideshare Enabling Act was introduced today in the BC Legislature by Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. 

“The sharing economy exists and it’s going to get bigger,” says Weaver. “Rideshare technology is a part of that new economy and we need to create rules so that these industries don’t operate in a vacuum.”

Today in the house I rose in question period to ask the government once more about the economics of the Site C dam project in light of recent revelations. Since elected I’ve continued to point out the economic folly of moving forward with Site C at this time. I’ve expressed concerns on the effect it will have on our credit rating; I’ve pointed out that there are cheaper alternatives like wind or geothermal which would allow supply to keep pace with demand. I’ve also called on the government to broaden BC Hydro’s scope to allow for production of geothermal power.