Today Minister George Heyman and I had the distinct honour of receiving Clean16 and Clean 50 awards from the Delta Management Group for our collaborative efforts that lead to the creation of British Columbia’s CleanBC economic plan.

As noted on the Clean50 website,

“Canada’s Clean50 annually offers recognition to Canada’s leaders in sustainability for their contributions over the prior two years.”

“The Clean50 Individual awards – or just “the Clean50” are selected from 16 diverse categories that transcend numerous  industries, academia, different levels of government, thought leaders and advocates, and are based on accomplishments delivered over the prior two years.  The leader in each of the 16 categories is also declared to be part of the Clean16, depicting those 16 Honourees as the top contributor in their respective  categories.”

The citation for the award states:

“A climate scientist and a climate advocate walk into a Legislature… They may represent different political parties, but that hasn’t deterred these champions of the environment from close collaboration. The BC MLA and Minister for the Environment have worked together to design “CleanBC,” an ambitious economic plan to build a thriving, climate-responsible and climate-resilient economy through incentives and goals: transitioning to all zero-emission vehicles by 2040, demanding far greater energy efficiency in both new and existing buildings, and investing significantly in training workers for a low-carbon economy. The ultimate goal: a net 40% reduction in BC’s 2007 GHG emissions by 2030. BC once again leads Canada in the fight against climate change.

Dr. Weaver also introduced the Business Corporations Amendment Act (passed unanimously, the first non-government bill to pass into law in BC history), which provides a legal framework for businesses committed to pursuing a triple bottom line to incorporate as Benefit Companies. It is the only law of its kind in Canada.”

Unfortunately I was unable to travel to Toronto with Minister Heyman to accept the award due to my recent bout with vestibular neuritis. Nevertheless, I was able to prepare an acceptance video which I reproduce below.

In the government’s press release, as well as our own press release (reproduced below), both Minister Heyman and I emphasize the power of collaboration. We believe CleanBC and this award are evidence of what political leaders can accomplish when they work together. But that collaboration doesn’t end now.

For CleanBC to be effective, government must implement the first phase of emissions reductions and quickly identify how they will fill in the remaining 25%. And, it must be matched with legislated, ambitious accountability and transparency mechanisms. ‘Trust us’ is not good climate policy. That’s why I have been working with Minister Heyman on the Climate Change Accountability Amendment Act, to be tabled this fall. It will provide an evidence-based foundation to the work done by this government and all to come.

Acceptance Video

Media Release

BC Green Party Leader, Minister recognized for CleanBC collaboration
Climate change policy now front and center in provincial political conversation

For immediate release

October 3,2019

VICTORIA, B.C. – Dr. Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, and George Heyman, B.C.’s Minister of
Environment and Climate Change Strategy, have received Canada’s 2020 Clean50 and Clean16 honours for
demonstrated leadership in sustainability through the development of CleanBC .

“Over the last two years, my team and I have been working with Minister Heyman to design CleanBC, our
economic plan to build a thriving, climate-resilient society. It has been the hallmark of our minority government
and will continue to be my top priority as we ensure it is fully implemented to reach our 2030 targets,” said MLA
Weaver. “CleanBC is an important starting point and our ambitions must continue to rise. It is time we reimagined
the climate crisis not solely as an environmental problem, but an incredible opportunity for innovation and the
advancement of our society.

“For CleanBC to be effective, government must implement the first phase of emissions reductions and quickly
identify how they will fill in the remaining 25%. And, it must be matched with legislated, ambitious accountability
and transparency mechanisms. ‘Trust us’ is not good climate policy. That’s why I have been working with Minister
Heyman on the Climate Change Accountability Amendment Act, to be tabled this fall. It will provide an
evidence-based foundation to the work done by this government and all to come.

“More than 100,000 British Columbians – many of them children- participated in last week’s global climate strike to
shame world leaders for their inaction and demand better. We need to prove that we hear them. We need to
prove that their BC government cares about protecting their future.

“Receiving this recognition is more than a personal achievement; it represents something much greater than one
climate scientist’s life’s work. Hanging in the B.C. Green office in the legislature is a framed official report from
February 17, 2014, that documents an amendment I brought forward to the Throne Speech debate. It reads,

‘…that the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia recognizes that climate change is one of the greatest issues
facing our province and that this government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is inconsistent
with the current expansion of United States sourced thermal coal exports coming through British Columbia
harbours, and therefore calls upon government to follow the lead of our Pacific Coast Action Plan Partners,
Washington, Oregon, and California, and explore all means by which the government may halt the expansion of
thermal coal exports in British Columbia.’

The amendment failed with 73 nays that day; I was the only yea.

“Today, that political conversation has changed. That photo is now historical record, but it is no longer our future.
Climate change is now a top concern of all British Columbians, and indeed all Canadians, and this minority
government is listening and acting.”

Minister Heyman says their collaboration is evidence of what political leaders can accomplish when they work
together.

“The important collaborative work to develop the real and measurable CleanBC climate and economic plan –
between Dr. Weaver and me and our two parties – is a clear demonstration that legislators can work together to
address critical issues and to respond to the urgency expressed by young people around the world demanding
that we act to secure a safer future,” Minister Heyman said.

The Clean50 awards are presented every year by Delta Management Group, an executive search firm for
professionals working in the environmental sector. Previous Clean16 award winners include Tamara Vrooman,
president and CEO of Vancity, Craig Ryan, director of Social Entrepreneurship at Business Development Bank of
Canada, and Matt Jamieson, president and CEO of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation,
among many others.

Announced annually by Delta Management Group and the Clean50 organization, Canada’s Clean50 Awards
recognize those 50 individuals or small teams, from 16 different categories, who have done the most to advance
the cause of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada over the past two years. The top recipients in each
category compose the annual Clean16.

“The 2020 Clean16 are truly leaders in sustainability in Canada. Both Minister Heyman and Dr. Weaver have
made significant contributions through CleanBC by working collaboratively to help make B.C. and Canada a better
place,” said Gavin Pitchford, CEO of Delta Management Group. “Canada’s Clean16 awards recognize these
achievements to support a low-carbon future that creates new clean growth opportunities and benefits people.
The competition for the top spot this year in every instance left us with many great choices – and to be selected
from amongst such a strong group of peers is truly a testament to the contribution Dr. Weaver has made to
helping make Canada more sustainable for all Canadians.”

CleanBC is a pathway to a more affordable, safe and sustainable future. CleanBC was developed in collaboration
with the BC NDP government and supports the commitment in the Confidence and Supply Agreement to
implement climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets.

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Media contact
Macon L.C. McGinley, Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | macon.mcginley@leg.bc.ca