Statement​ ​on​ ​International​ ​Overdose​ ​Awareness​ ​Day
For​ ​immediate​ ​release
August​ ​31,​ ​2017

Victoria – Andrew​ ​Weaver,​ ​Leader​ ​of​ ​the​ ​B.C.​ ​Green​ ​caucus​ ​and​ ​MLA​ ​for​ ​Oak​ ​Bay-Gordon​ ​Head,​ ​and Sonia​ ​Furstenau,​ ​MLA​ ​for​ ​Cowichan​ ​Valley,​ ​have​ ​issued​ ​the​ ​following​ ​statement​ ​to​ ​mark International​ ​Overdose​ ​Awareness​ ​Day:

“Today​ ​marks​ ​International​ ​Overdose​ ​Awareness​ ​Day,​ ​a​ ​global​ ​event​ ​held​ ​to​ ​raise awareness​ ​of​ ​overdose,​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​stigma,​ ​and​ ​acknowledge​ ​the​ ​personal​ ​responsibility​ ​we all​ ​have​ ​to​ ​support​ ​our​ ​community​ ​members​ ​in​ ​need,”​ ​said​ ​MLA​ ​Weaver.

“One​ ​life​ ​lost​ ​is​ ​heartbreaking;​ ​the​ ​scale​ ​of​ ​this​ ​emergency​ ​can​ ​hardly​ ​be​ ​articulated​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way that​ ​respects​ ​and​ ​represents​ ​the​ ​grief​ ​felt​ ​around​ ​B.C.

“Fentanyl-related​ ​overdoses​ ​are​ ​happening​ ​all​ ​over​ ​the​ ​province​ ​and​ ​our​ ​ridings​ ​are​ ​no exception.​ ​The​ ​reach​ ​and​ ​magnitude​ ​of​ ​this​ ​crisis​ ​has​ ​been​ ​tragic.​ ​The​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​it​ ​has​ ​only continued​ ​to​ ​escalate​ ​since​ ​the​ ​B.C.​ ​Ministry​ ​of​ ​Health​ ​declared​ ​it​ ​a​ ​public​ ​health​ ​emergency over​ ​a​ ​year​ ​ago​ ​is​ ​horrific​ ​in​ ​its​ ​own​ ​right.”

MLA​ ​Furstenau​ ​continued,​ ​“We​ ​remember​ ​all​ ​those​ ​who​ ​have​ ​lost​ ​their​ ​lives​ ​to​ ​this​ ​epidemic and​ ​stand​ ​with​ ​the​ ​families,​ ​friends,​ ​and​ ​loved​ ​ones​ ​who​ ​mourn​ ​their​ ​loss.

“We​ ​must​ ​use​ ​compassion​ ​and​ ​understanding​ ​in​ ​approaching​ ​this​ ​issue.​ ​We​ ​must​ ​reduce the​ ​stigma​ ​and​ ​shame​ ​too​ ​often​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​addiction.​ ​Addiction​ ​is​ ​a​ ​health​ ​issue​ ​and must​ ​be​ ​treated​ ​as​ ​such.

“Today,​ ​we​ ​reaffirm​ ​our​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​people​ ​struggling​ ​with​ ​addiction,​ ​the​ ​families​ ​and friends​ ​of​ ​drug-dependent​ ​loved​ ​ones,​ ​frontline​ ​workers,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​community.​ ​In​ ​our public​ ​and​ ​private​ ​lives,​ ​we​ ​commit​ ​to​ ​listening​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​learning​ ​from​ ​you,​ ​and​ ​doing everything​ ​we​ ​can​ ​to​ ​build​ ​a​ ​path​ ​out​ ​of​ ​this​ ​crisis.”

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Media​ ​contact
Sarah​ ​Miller,​ ​Acting​ ​Press​ ​Secretary
+1​ ​250-858-9891​​ ​|​ ​​sarah.miller@leg.bc.ca

Today the BC NDP announced that they would be removing the tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges in Metro Vancouver effective September 1, 2017. While this may seem like a good idea at face value, it is profoundly troubling from a policy perspective.

In the 2017 election campaign the BC NDP announced that if elected they would scrap the tolls on these two bridges. The BC Liberals countered with a promise to limit tolls to $500/year. In their subsequent and bizarre throne speech this past summer they promised to remove this cap and eliminate the tolls entirely. The BC Greens were the only party to campaign on developing a rational tolling system through consultation with and municipalities across Metro Vancouver. We did not promise to eliminate the tolls.

Eliminating the tolls will come at a cost.

1. $86 million for the rest of 2017/18 and $135 million annually thereafter for the Port Mann bridge
2. $34 million for the rest of 2017/18 and likely more than $120 million annually thereafter for the Golden Ears bridge. Because this bridge is owned by Translink, the government will have to negotiate a long-term solution.
3. 180 people will lose their jobs
4. The outstanding debt for the Port Mann Bridge is $3.6 billion; the outstanding debt for the Golden Ears Bridge is $1.1 billion. $4.7 billion will now be moved from self supporting debt to taxpayer supported debt.

Increasing taxpayer supported debt is worrying. The Province’s borrowing rates are largely determined by our credit rating and overall taxpayer supported debt load. Increasing this debt load risks the potential of downgrading our credit rating which in term would increase borrowing rates on the entire provincial debt.

More than $250 million annually will now have to come from other sources. This is money that is desperately needed in health care, public education, and social services.

Eliminating tolls will increase congestion in Metro Vancouver as more people turn to their cars. It sends precisely the wrong message to commuters who may now opt out of public transit.

Finally, the introduction of user-pay systems to support the construction of major infrastructure projects is well established as an efficient means of advancing such projects in a timely fashion. When the infrastructure is paid off, the tolls are removed. This is how the Coquihalla highway was built in BC. In fact, those who have visited Quebec, Ontario, PEI, or Nova Scotia will have experienced tolling on various bridges and roads.

Today’s announcement fulfilled what can only be described as a desperate attempt by the BC NDP to pander to voters south of the Fraser. Their justification of fairness is shallow. Residents of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands or Haida Gwaii will point out that the BC Ferries are part of our highway system. A compelling case of fairness could be made to  argue that all ferry fares should be eliminated (there are already no fares on the inland ferries in the Kootenays). Obviously this won’t happen.

How would the rest of BC react if the BC Green Party campaigned on eliminating the fares on all BC Ferries. I suggest that there would be outrage – and rightly so – in the face of this reckless approach to public policy.

Below is the media statement I released today on this topic.

Media Statement

Weaver statement on government’s decision to remove bridge tolls
For Immediate Release
August 25, 2017

VICTORIA, BC – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green caucus, issued the following statement today in response to the government’s removal of tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears Bridges.

“It’s unfortunate that the government has decided to proceed with this reckless policy,” said Weaver.

“There is no question that the affordability crisis facing so many British Columbians is a significant concern. However, this policy is high cost and low impact. There are lots of good, high return-on-investments decisions that government can make, such as education, student housing and child care. It is disappointing that the first major measure that this government has taken to make life more affordable for British Columbians will add billions of dollars to taxpayer-supported debt. Moreover, making such a massive addition to our debt risks raising interest on all debt, which ultimately prevents government from being able to invest more in important social programs.

“Tolls are an excellent policy tool to manage transport demand. Transport demand management reduces pollution and emissions, alleviates congestion and helps pay for costly infrastructure. That’s why, at the negotiating table when preparing our Confidence and Supply Agreement, we ensured that a commitment was included to work with the Mayors’ Council consultation process to find a more fair and equitable way of funding transit for the long-term. We look forward to that commitment being met so that British Columbians can have an evidence-based, truly fair approach to this file.”

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

Today the government announced its intention to use a new at-arm’s-length Fair Wages Commission to establish a pathway to a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour. The Fair Wages Commission will further be tasked with overseeing regular rate reviews. The commission will bring forward recommendations regarding strategies to address the discrepancy between minimum wages and livable wages. It will make its first report on a new minimum wage within 90 days of its first meeting.

The establishment of a Fair Wages Commission was a key element of the B.C. Greens 2017 election platform and was included in the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA).  Below I provide my comments on the BC Government’s announcement.

Media Statement

Weaver statement on Fair Wages Commission announcement
For immediate release
August 15, 2017

VICTORIA, BC – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green caucus, issued the following statement today in response to the government’s announcement that it plans to use the Fair Wages Commission to achieve a minimum wage of $15/hour by 2021. The establishment of a Fair Wages Commission was a key element of the B.C. Greens 2017 election platform and was included in the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) signed by Dr. Weaver and Premier Horgan.

“Although I am pleased to see an important piece of our agreement move forward, I am concerned that the apparent addition of a 2021 timeline is prejudicial to the work of the Fair Wages Commission. The Commission falls under the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the BC NDP and BC Green caucuses. The 2021 timeline had not been agreed upon and is, in fact, contradictory to the intention of depoliticizing the Fair Wages Commission.

“The Fair Wages Commission should determine the timeline for minimum wage increases based on evidence and through consultation with stakeholders. The Commission must consult with small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy, to ensure they can continue to thrive. The timeline and wage increases should not be made for political purposes and should not be arbitrarily set in advance.

“British Columbians are facing skyrocketing costs of living and increasing income insecurity as the economy changes rapidly. Minimum wage is just one way we can move towards all British Columbians having a liveable income. The Fair Wages Commission must be empowered to make recommendations at arms-length based on evidence to ensure that wage increases create better income security for all British Columbians.”

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

Today the BC NDP claimed to set the stage for banning trophy hunting of grizzly bears in British Columbia. In what can only be described as a political stunt, the BC NDP announced that “effective Nov. 30, 2017, the British Columbia government will end grizzly bear trophy hunting throughout the province.” They further proclaimed “while the trophy hunt will end, hunting for meat will be allowed to continue.”

In response to their announcement I issued a statement, reproduced below.

As you will see, I am very supportive of the fact that  the B.C. NDP are respecting the wishes of the Coastal First Nations by placing a moratorium on the hunting of grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest. Readers of this website will know that I called for this back in February, 2014 (3 1/2 years ago). However, during the election campaign I pointed out that the B.C. NDP appeared to be trying to have their cake and eat it too when it came to the grizzly hunt. They told the hunting community one thing and the environmental community another.

Today’s announcement will not end grizzly bear hunting in B.C., as many environmental groups have advocated for.

In addition, this announcement will create a system in which not all of the animal will be harvested – resident hunters will no longer be allowed to possess the hair, head and hide of grizzlies. This will be viewed as wasteful by the resident hunting community.

Foreign hunters will still be able to shoot grizzlies in British Columbia, take a picture of themselves standing over the dead beast, and head back home without harvesting any of the animal.

What’s remarkable is that when I introduced legislation in the Spring of 2017 targeted at foreign trophy hunters the BC NDP did not support it. Now, they introduce a mishmash approach that makes little sense.

I’m not sure how this will appease the concerns of anyone. It appears to me that the NDP were trying to play to environmental voters in the election campaign without thinking through their policies. What we really need in BC is science-based approach to wildlife management, not a populist approach to species management.

Media Release

Weaver statement on government’s intention to end the grizzly bear trophy hunt
For immediate release
August 14, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green caucus, responded to today’s news regarding grizzly bear hunting in British Columbia. Weaver has long advocated for action on this issue.

“I am encouraged that the B.C. NDP are respecting the wishes of the Coastal First Nations by placing a moratorium on the hunting of grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest,” says Weaver.

Weaver further cautions “During the election campaign I pointed out that the B.C. NDP appeared to be trying to have their cake and eat it too when it came to the grizzly hunt. They told the hunting community one thing and the environmental community another.”

Today’s announcement will not end grizzly bear hunting in B.C., as many environmental groups have advocated for.

In addition, this announcement will create a system in which not all of the animal will be harvested – resident hunters will no longer be allowed to possess the hair, head and hide of grizzlies. This will be viewed as wasteful by the resident hunting community.

In addition, foreign hunters will still be able to shoot grizzlies in British Columbia, take a picture of themselves standing over the dead beast, and head back home without harvesting any of the animal.

Weaver adds “I’m not sure how this will appease the concerns of anyone. It appears to me that the NDP were trying to play to environmental voters in the election campaign without thinking through their policies.

“What we really need in BC is science-based approach to wildlife management, not a populist approach to species management.

“B.C. is one of the last strongholds of grizzlies in North America. There are a range of issues that affect the health of grizzly bear populations. These include the effects of climate change on essential salmon and huckleberry stocks, as well as road kill rates and poaching incidents. We must focus on broader wildlife preservation if we are serious about conservation and the protection of grizzlies and other species in this province.

“B.C. and Alberta are the only provinces without Endangered Species legislation. I will work with the government to ensure the introduction of species at risk legislation is advanced in the near future,” says Weaver.

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Media contact

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