Today the government announced that it was taking steps to collect data to ensure transparency of ownership of properties purchased through a corporation or a trust. As I note in the media release below, improving data collection and transparency is a good first step, but the province should proceed with applying property transfer tax to the transfer of beneficial ownership. Doing so would plug a loophole that lets corporations and wealthy individuals avoid paying BC’s property transfer tax.

It’s been almost five years since I began urging government to close this so-called bare trust loophole as was done in Ontario many years ago. Doing so is one of the most important steps government can take to crack down on speculative activity in the housing market.

Finally, and coincidentally, Great Britain announced similar measures today for offshore buyers. But in the UK case, stiff penalties and even jail sentences are being proposed if people “fail to register or attempt to file false information“.

Media Release

New property transfer data requirements show it’s time to close bare trust loophole: Weaver
For immediate release
July 25, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, says the government’s move to collect information on beneficial ownership of properties underscores the immediate need to close the bare trust loophole. Bare trusts allow for the transfer of beneficial ownership within trusts. Since no title change occurs, no property transfer tax (PTT) is paid.

“This data collection is a good first step, but the province should proceed with applying property transfer tax to the transfer of beneficial ownership,” said Weaver.

“Speculation is a major driver of the housing affordability crisis. The bare trust loophole incentivizes speculation. Preventing individuals and corporations from using it to avoid paying taxes is low-hanging fruit and should be dealt with immediately. Applying the PTT to beneficial ownership has been done in Ontario and is what is needed to close this loophole once and for all.”

Weaver has called for the closure of the bare trust loophole since 2015. The government first announced its intention to collect additional data on beneficial ownership in the February provincial budget. Today, it announced that it will begin the data collection on September 17, 2018.

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

Earlier this week the BC government announced 2 public infrastructure projects that will be delivered under “Community Benefit Agreements” (CBAs), and the creation of a new Crown corporation, BC Infrastructure Benefits Inc., (BCIB) that will oversee the implementation of these agreements.

In response to media requests on this announcement we issued the following statement :

“Community benefit agreements are a great way to invest in our province’s future and a key tool that government can use to advance social and environmental goals. In particular, investing in training and apprenticeships for young people, First Nations and women will help set those British Columbians up for long-term success, which will have significant knock-on benefits for our province and its communities.

I look forward to seeing the details of the government’s overall framework. I will be looking to ensure that it is fair and effective from a policy perspective, rather than a political or ideological one. While our caucus’ approach to labour policy differs in some respects from the BC NDP’s, I believe there are significant opportunities for us to collaborate to modernize BC’s laws so that we can best set British Columbians up for success amidst major global economic shifts.

I look forward to seeing the details of this agreement and working with Minister Bains to meet our CASA commitment to find innovative ways to improve fairness for workers.“

In response to a number of questions, I wanted to expand on this statement.

Without a doubt, CBAs can be a good policy tool to accomplish important objectives for public construction projects, such as increased apprenticeships, increased participation for indigenous trades workers, women and other underrepresented groups, commitment to local hiring, and more certainty on wages on project timelines.

A strong building trades labour force is critical for our province’s future. To meet our climate targets and build a stronger, sustainable economy, we are going to need to make significant investments into our existing building stock, as well as building new infrastructure including public transportation. We also need to ensure our workforce develops, in particular by ensuring that there are enough apprenticeship opportunities to train new workers.

However, CBAs must be advanced as a policy tool to address the values I outlined above – not as a tool to pay back political favours or to advance ideology at the expense of good policy. We have made this perspective clear to the government, and will be applying this approach to reviewing how the government awards Community Benefit Agreements in the future.

We have also asked government to provide reasoning for why the two projects announced earlier this week had a unionization requirement for workers on these two sites.

It is our view that CBA should be applicable for both union and non-union trade shops and that we are focused on ensuring that whoever is competing for a contract is meeting the requirements laid out in the CBA. To be clear – CBAs can be good policy, providing a good tool for government to help drive the development of a strong building trades labour force, as long as we use them for policy not partisan reasons.

This past Tuesday, the BC Government officially launched the Emerging Economy Task Force. The BC Greens proposed the establishment of the Emerging Economy Task Force as a means of addressing how technology, innovation and global trends are changing business and society. This task force brings together key people who can identify the challenges we will face in the years ahead, and help us capitalize on the opportunities that arise.

The launch occurred at the offices of Minesense, a BC-based company that exemplifies innovation in the resource sector.

Below I provide the video and text of my remarks at the launch. I also attach the accompanying BC Green Caucus press release.

Video of Speech

Text of Speech

I’m delighted to join Minister Ralston and BCIT President Kathy Kinloch in announcing the launch of the Emerging Economy Task Force.

I can think of no better location that the offices of Minesense Technologies here in Vancouver for such an announcement.

Minesense’s real-time, sensor-based ore sorting technologies embody BC innovation at its finest and provide a perfect example of what’s needed for BC to emerge as a global leader in the 21st century economy.

The future of economic prosperity in BC lies in harnessing our innate potential for innovation and bringing new, more efficient technologies to bear in the resource sector.

BC will never compete in digging dirt out of the ground with jurisdictions that don’t internalize the same social and environmental externalities that we value.

We will excel through being smarter, more efficient, & cleaner.

This means that we not only export the dirt, but we also export the knowledge, technology and value-added products associated with resource extraction.

And that’s where companies like Minesense come in.

The BC Green Party originally proposed the establishment of an Emerging Economy Task Force as a key aspect of our 2017 election platform. It subsequently became an integral component of our confidence and supply agreement with the BC NDP.

We know that technology, innovation, and global trends are set to have significant impacts on our economy. While they present profound challenges they also provide incredible opportunities.

Take, for example, the increasing worldwide use of automated technology.

Automation could transform our workplaces and change the very nature of employment.

Studies estimate that half of Canadian jobs could be impacted by automation in the next decade alone.

In response to such changes, government needs to have a plan.

Many of the jobs that the next generation will be preparing for don’t even exist today.

And we are still on the cusp of witnessing the impacts that breakthrough technologies like 3d printing will have on our supply chains.

As the global economy changes, new opportunities are also created. But the advantages of these opportunities will flow to those who lead – not to those who follow.

The task force announced today will strategically help British Columbia as we embrace the new and emerging economy.

I’m delighted that the BC NDP Government recognized the importance of this initiative.

And I’m grateful to the remarkably talented individuals who’ve agreed to serve on the Emerging Economy Task Force. They bring a range of expertise and experience, from industry, business, and academia to the team.

They’ll play a critical role in helping us identify the challenges ahead, and advise on how to respond, and on how to capitalize on the opportunities that arise.

It’s truly an exciting time for innovation in British Columbia.

Thank you.

Media Release

Weaver welcomes launch of emerging economy task force
For immediate release
July 10, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Today Andrew Weaver welcomed the launch of the Emerging Economy Task Force (EETF). The EETF was a key B.C. Green platform commitment and part of the confidence and supply agreement between the B.C. Green caucus and government.

“I am thrilled to join Minister Ralston to launch the Emerging Economy Task Force today,” said Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party.

“We know that technology, innovation and global trends are having significant impacts on our economy. These changes present both huge challenges and enormous opportunities for B.C.”

The EETF will analyse trends occurring in the economy, including technological change and global trends, and propose policy options for government to ensure B.C.’s continued economic success amidst these changes.

“The members of the EETF bring a range of expertise and experience, from industry, business and academia. Their analysis and advice will help us build a competitive advantage as we navigate this new type of economy.

“This task force is an opportunity to challenge how government typically thinks. Too often, governments don’t plan much into the future beyond the next election cycle. The Emerging Economy Task Force well help ensure government has the information they need to make informed decisions so that B.C. can succeed in the years ahead.”

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

The BC Government today released the Fish Processing Facilities Compliance Audit Report that was commissioned following findings by Tavish Campbell that effluent containing the Piscene Reovirus (so-called “blood water”) was being discharged from a BC fish processing facility.

This issue was explored by my colleague Sonia Furstenau during question period late last year:

The report provides a clear illustration of the type of problems that have arisen from the previous BC Liberal administration’s severe cutbacks to compliance and enforcement initiatives within government.

As the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy noted in the government’s statement accompanying the report’s release:

“The industry has been largely operating under an outdated permitting regime, going back several decades. We are taking immediate steps to ensure permits are updated and strengthened at fish processing facilities throughout B.C.”

Between ICBC, money laundering, the housing crisis and a litany of environmental disasters, it’s increasingly clear that the previous government badly mismanaged our province.

Government has a responsibility to ensure the public interest by proactively updating laws and regulations to fit changing realities. Instead, the previous government left British Columbians with mounting debts while they pillaged the public books and turned a blind eye to harmful activities. We have taken significant steps to remedy this, including banning big money and reforming the lobbying industry, but we must take every opportunity in this minority government to clean up B.C. to prevent such blatant misuse of power.

Below I reproduce the media statement that the BC Green caucus issued in response to government’s release of the report.

Media Release

Findings of fish processing compliance audit show need for reform: B.C. Green caucus
For immediate release
July 4, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green Caucus is calling on government to step up marine monitoring and protection in the wake of an audit of fish processing facilities. Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, says the report shows a disturbing pattern of widespread mismanagement by the previous B.C. Liberal government that must be addressed.

“Between ICBC, money laundering, the housing crisis and a litany of environmental disasters, it’s increasingly clear that the previous government badly mismanaged our province,” said Weaver. “Government has a responsibility to ensure the public interest by proactively updating laws and regulations to fit changing realities. Instead, the previous government left British Columbians with mounting debts while they pillaged the public books and turned a blind eye to harmful activities. We have taken significant steps to remedy this, including banning big money and reforming the lobbying industry, but we must take every opportunity in this minority government to clean up B.C. to prevent such blatant misuse of power.”

Sonia Furstenau, environment spokesperson, added that the findings show why government should adopt Mark Haddock’s recommendations to reform the professional reliance model.

“As the previous government cut the funding needed to fulfill government’s duty to protect the public interest, they saddled our province with completely avoidable messes,” said Furstenau. “Many British Columbians were horrified, like I was, to see Tavish Campbell’s videos of blood water effluent that prompted this audit. It is no wonder people don’t trust the process when we must rely on private citizens and the media to bring such serious issues to light. Adopting Mark Haddock’s recommendations – and the ministry’s recommendations following this audit – will go a long way to restoring the public’s trust that government is looking out for their health and safety, as well as the long-term sustainability of our natural resource sector.”

Adam Olsen, spokesperson for agriculture, said the findings underscore the litany of threats facing B.C.’s wild salmon and added the release of infected blood from farmed fish is another reason why the government should keep its promise to transition away from open-net pen finfish aquaculture.

“Wild salmon are culturally, economically and environmentally essential to our province, yet we are allowing them to be hit at every stage of their development,” said Olsen. “Now we learn they have also been exposed to ‘acutely lethal’ levels of effluent.”

DFO’s 2018 salmon outlook for B.C. states that of 91 different groupings of salmon, only 28 are expected to be at or above the amount necessary for a healthy population.

“This is absolutely unacceptable – we can and we must do better if we want our grandchildren to live in a province with wild salmon,” added Olsen.

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

Back in 2016, I published a series of four blog posts exploring the notion of Basic Income.

In the first I provided an overview of the concept, the issues that we are facing today in BC, and the potential implications of a basic income policy. This was followed by a second post that examined the state of poverty in BC, including the social assistance programs available and how they can fail to help those most in need. It also explored how basic income could help to alleviate poverty in our province. The third post outlined the shift we are experiencing as a population away from long-term, full-time work with benefits, toward short-term, part-time, and contract-based work.

The series culminated in a final post that provided recommendations and a commitment to British Columbians. That commitment was that a BC Green government would introduce pilot projects that explored the costs and benefits of basic income. And so the promised establishment of such pilot projects formed a key aspect of the Income Security component of our BC Green 2017 election platform.

The Confidence and Supply Agreement that we signed with the BC NDP noted the following in Section 4a:

a. Design and implement a province-wide poverty reduction strategy that includes addressing the real causes of homelessness, including affordable accommodation, support for mental health and addictions and income security.

The BC Government yesterday announced its first step towards fulfilling this commitment. With dedicated funding in the last budget, an expert panel comprising three distinguished researchers has been established to lead a B.C.-focused exploration of basic income.

In the government press release I note:

“Amidst trends like automation, part-time and contract work, the nature of our economy and the jobs within it are rapidly shifting. There is strong evidence that basic income can provide greater income security, while saving costs in other areas. We proposed exploring how basic income could work in B.C., because government should have a plan for the changes on the horizon. The panelists are highly qualified, knowledgeable and creative thinkers. I am excited to work with them on this innovative project.“

Below is the release the BC Green caucus issued in response to the government’s announcement.

Media Release

Weaver welcomes basic income expert committee
For immediate release
July 3, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, says that the government’s newly convened Basic Income Expert Panel is a significant step forward for the province’s 21st century economic strategy. The committee was announced at a press conference today in Vancouver and is related to the B.C. Greens’ Confidence and Supply Agreement with the B.C. NDP.

“At this moment, on the verge of fundamental economic change and with the old
model of work already faltering for so many, we have an opportunity to create policy that sets
the stage for a better future for British Columbians,” said Weaver.

Weaver has advocated for exploring basic income in B.C. since 2016. In the 2017 election, the B.C. Greens campaigned to conduct a basic income pilot and implement basic income for youth transitioning out of care. The expert committee members are David Green, Vancouver School of Economics at UBC; Jonathan Rhys Kesselman, School of Public Policy at SFU; and Lindsay Tedds, School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary.

“Recent years have seen disproportionate increases in part-time and contract work. Wages have stagnated while the cost of living in our cities has spiralled out of control. Meanwhile, studies estimate that half of Canadian jobs could be impacted by automation in the next decade alone. We proposed exploring basic income in B.C. because we believe that government needs to have a plan for the changes on the horizon.

“When people are secure, they are more likely to feel confident starting a new business or returning to school. Investing in British Columbians’ success is the best way we can ensure a thriving local economy for generations to come. Further, research shows that basic income can provide income security while reducing the costs of other supports. For instance, when basic income was introduced in Dauphin, Manitoba, hospital visits declined by 8.5%.

“The committee members are all highly qualified researchers and creative thinkers. I am delighted they will be exploring this innovative policy idea for government so that we can best position our province to succeed in a changing world.”

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca