Andrew Weaver challenges MLAs to live up to Throne Speech Rhetoric

With today’s Throne Speech, the BC Liberal Government once again positioned LNG development as its moon-shot saving-grace for the economy, the climate and B.C.’s future. Yet, according to Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Deputy Leader of the BC Green Party, while the government’s throne speech offers lofty goals, it falls far short of positioning B.C. as a leader in the 21st century economy.

“The BC Government is talking about making an economic plan and sticking to it and yet they still have no plan for what to do once LNG runs out or if it never takes off,” says Dr. Andrew Weaver. “We are still not using LNG to transition ourselves to a low carbon economy. And we still have no back-up plan for our economy if LNG fails to deliver. ”

The USA, China, and EU are all heading into renewable energy and knowledge based economies. Instead, B.C. is doubling down on its hope to become a super highway for non-renewable exports.

British Columbia has the potential to be a clean tech powerhouse but for this to happen we need a specific and actionable economic and skills training plan to position B.C. as a leader in the new global clean tech economy.

As the 2014 legislative session begins, Andrew Weaver will be looking for MLAs who are serious about building an economic future based on access to clean renewable energy, the innovative potential of British Columbians, and our desire to ensure fiscal, environmental and social sustainability for future generations.

In making this challenge, Weaver says: “To those politicians who claim to be so concerned about greenhouse gas emissions, where are your voices in opposition to the proposed expansion of thermal coal exports? To those politicians who are concerned about a strong economy, where are your backup and transition plans? ”