My initial reaction to the BC Liberal Speech from the Throne
Today in the legislature the Lieutenant Governor read the BC Liberal Speech from the Throne. Below I reproduce the media statement that I released following the speech:
Initial Response
Victoria B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, responded to today’s Speech from the Throne.
The astonishing about-face taken by the B.C. Liberal government in this throne speech demonstrates the difference that the B.C. Greens made in the election and that we continue to make everyday with the minority government.
We committed to addressing the most pressing issues facing British Columbians. For the first time, we now have all-party agreement on major issues like banning big money, investing significantly in child care and raising social assistance rates. All three parties now support holding a referendum on proportional representation that will give British Columbians a legislature that reflects our province’s diversity.
The B.C. Liberals have been in power for sixteen years and until now actively opposed many of these policies. I am heartened to see them adopt so many B.C. Green policies that will address these issues in today’s throne speech. I am also pleased to hear of their willingness to work across party lines. After all, what could be more stable than all three parties working together to advance major policies that will benefit British Columbians.
The confidence vote is a matter of trust. We cannot have confidence in a government that for sixteen years has argued against these policies, and in the last few days has suddenly recognized that they are in the best interests of British Columbians. We will look to the Liberals to demonstrate a genuine willingness to follow through on these commitments regardless of where they sit in the legislature.
Leaders from all three parties have recognized that the results of this election present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work together. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on both sides of the house to deliver on the change British Columbians voted for.
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9 Comments
Thanks for doing your part to contribute to a throne speech that represents the house well. As a green voter, I voted for stable and collaborative government that represents the people and not the parties. I hope that the green party is not remembered for destabilising a legitimate government and precipitating a most unwelcome early election. There has been much talk about the confidence of the house, but what about the confidence of the electorate. If the house cannot govern itself to work together for the people, the confidence of the people is lost. When the NDP introduces a confidence motion, it needs to be debated until ALL parties can agree on a plan to serve the people of BC together. Despite unrelenting attacks on her legitimacy, honour and trustworthiness, the Premier has shown great leadership since the election. Leaders lead. There has been no uncertainty from the Premier. She has always been clear that the house will decide and she will serve in whatever role she is given. I am glad that you can work with the NDP. I’m confident you can also work with the Liberals.
Actions speak louder then words.The $ Christy shoveled into her cabinets pockets this week says a lot how she addresses the working class poverty sweeping across this province.Trudeau will do his best to work kinder Morgan pipe line through Clark.Its the blind leading the blind.didnt we just get a mouthful of electoral reform baffle garb from our new P.M.?
#ThroneSpeech… #clonespeech
First off- there’s nothing special about the about-face on the #CarbonTax. As I’ve been saying for months, Feds require this anyway.
Next- I really liked it. Now, of course, I’m a PC-style Green (more alike to the average BC green voter than perhaps the average van.isle analogue).
I’d remind our amazing 3 MLAs that the agreement with the NDP requires providing confidence to them, NOT denying confidence to the BCL.
Yet, I recognise all 3 have committed publicly to “supporting horgan” and “voting on record for confidence matters” fair enough. #TimeOut.
So, here is my humble submission for speaking points on why to vote NO on this last-ditch effort by the Prem.
1- no renewal of G Campbell’s climate leadership, they are simply following the Feds, without heeding the 2015 CLT recommendation for GHG pricing on fugitive emissions, as well as the other Green platform item: applying carbon tax to slash pile burning.
2- BC Greens were quite clear that tolls on major infrastructure projects is Good Public Policy. Hence, without clear alternatives to mobility management, taking the tolls off the port Mann bridge — uncosted pandering — is not something we can support.
3- Site C. They just are not listening. We don’t need the power. LNG is dead. Moving away now (avoiding all the un-sunken costs) means wind and solar Private investment can still bring us a 2035 fleet of EVs on our roads. Plus, BC Hydro’s books are cooked, and need to be exposed.
Thoughts?
~T~
This is the change I was waiting for. People were telling me not to vote green so not to split vote. Well to be frank, there is no such thing as splitting vote. There is only people that want to vote democratically and be represented. I can’t wait for proportional voting. This does not need a referendum; it requires only good sense and political willingness to truly represent the electorate. On that note, it is time that the aboriginal be part of political landscape in BC and the rest of Canada. Let the reserve system of slavery be abolished and incorporate this vast culture in our Canadianism. Only then we’ll have reached our true identity as Canadian.
Putting the obvious hypocritical feigned sincere statements of Ms.Clarke aside for just a moment, as a stepson of the first woman, first Canadian, first Green Party representative and first non Cypriot member of a local municipal government in the country of Cyprus, I send her heartiest congratulations from the Green Party of Cyprus to the proud position you hold Dr. Andrew Weaver. The Grern Party is one of the very few global political movements that has ethical and politically similar mandates and consistency globally. I look forward to this movement drawing the best in ethical politicians for decades to come!
Although I liked a lot of Christy Clark’s change of heart – electoral reform, getting rid of big money in politics, welfare reform. HOWEVER can we trust that she’ll keep her word? NOT happy with continued proposal of Site C & Kinder Morgan…
Your climate scientist to politician story inspires my climate speculation Andrew. After academic papers, I now write informative climate ‘fiction’.
Next Door Data
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/485567
I highly support the idea of climate scientist getting into political decision making positions. Awesome Andrew, following you closely.
I am so heartened by the way your party and you have handled this opportunity to bring change to the mess that has been BC Politics for as long as I have been voting and that’s a long time. My choice for the leader of the USA was Bernie Sanders, because what he said made good sense. I admit I voted NDP though I leaned towards the Greens so as not to split progressive votes but next time you got me. All the best and stay strong.