Today in the BC Legislature the government tabled its budget. I will be speaking to the budget later this week during the legislature debates. In the meantime, I issued a statement summarizing our reactions.

I am absolutely thrilled with with the introduction of this budget. It’s a budget that puts people first. And it’s a budget that shows that minority governments can work.

Below is a copy of my statement.

Media Statement

Budget Update 2017 demonstrates value of minority governments, underscores need for long-term economic vision
For immediate release
September 11, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green caucus, responded to the Budget 2017 September Update delivered by Finance Minister Carole James today.

“We are thrilled with the introduction of this budget that puts people first,” Weaver said.

“The budget provisions for education, child care, affordable housing and essential services are long overdue investments in our future. We are also delighted that the pathway has been set to eliminate MSP premiums, a priority that BC Greens have championed for years.

“A strong sustainable economy is essential for the well-being of British Columbians. It is exciting to see that the key budget initiatives aimed at growing and diversifying B.C.’s economy originated in the B.C. Greens’ platform. The ideas of an Innovation Commissioner to champion the B.C. tech sector and the Emerging Economy Task Force to address the changing nature of business were born out of extensive consultations we conducted with businesses and entrepreneurs. The Fair Wages Commission and the basic income pilot project will improve income security for British Columbians while the carbon tax measures will help spur innovation in our economy. I look forward to seeing them implemented so that we can ensure B.C. is a leader in the changing global economy.

“The budget update also underscores the need for a long-term vision for the economic future of this province. While traditional indicators like GDP growth and job creation are encouraging, they do not tell the whole story of the health of our economy. In particular, it is worrisome that B.C.’s economic growth remains so dependent on the housing market, the growth of which has priced many British Columbians out of their own communities. The global economy is rapidly changing, with challenges and opportunities arising from trends like technological automation, climate change and the evolving nature of work. It is crucial that B.C. is prepared to address these issues head-on so that we can ensure British Columbians across the province can continue to enjoy a good quality of life for generations to come.”

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

Issue-specific quotations

Minority Government

“Over the past few months, leaders from all three parties have acknowledged that British Columbians want us to work across party lines. There’s no question that this is a significant departure from the hyper-partisan, divisive B.C. Legislature. However, we can deliver on this promise for British Columbians if we put good public policy ahead of partisan calculation, if we strive for respectful and nuanced political discourse and if we remember the values and goals we share.

Affordability and housing

“British Columbians across the province continue to feel the squeeze of the affordability crisis. I am glad to hear that they will get some relief in the form of reduced MSP premiums beginning in 2018. However, as I stated during the election, we don’t need a plan to come up with a plan to eliminate this regressive tax. Best practices are already available from other provinces that have rolled premiums into the income tax system in a progressive fashion. I urge government to follow their lead, rather than kicking the can down the road by creating an unnecessary task force.

“I am glad that the government has increased spending to the Residential Tenancy Branch, which has not had the resources to adequately protect the rights of tenants and landlords, especially as the vacancy rate has diminished. I am also pleased that the government is investing in affordable rental stock and modular houses for homeless British Columbians.

“It is encouraging that the Minister acknowledged that we need an integrated approach to housing affordability. The B.C. Green caucus maintains and has communicated to the government through our consultations with the government that there are far more effective policies than a rebate that will provide renters with a mere dollar a day in financial relief. Not only will the rebate be low impact, it will also provide an incentive for landlords to raise already-high rents. This minority government presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate to develop good public policy, rather than simply having one party push through its entire agenda. Moving forward, we will advocate for more impactful policies that will truly address the affordability crisis facing so many British Columbians.”

Education and child care funding

“I am also pleased to see an increase in funding to public education, which was the number one funding commitment made in our platform. Education is the best investment government can make, and I am thrilled that our public schools will receive additional support so they can better do the vital work of preparing the next generation of British Columbians for their future.

“It is also good to see an increase for childcare funding. The cost of childcare is a major financial burden on families. We look forward to working with the government to incorporate our best ideas on how to improve B.C.’s child care. In particular, the B.C. Green caucus’ vision for childcare is one that is means-based and does not require up-front out-of-pocket fees. We will also emphasize investment in Early Childhood Education, which has been shown to significantly improve educational outcomes for children by giving them the best possible head start.”

Carbon tax and climate change initiatives

“B.C. was once a leader in addressing climate change, and the dismantling of B.C.’s leadership on this file by the past Liberal government was unnecessary and alarming. I am glad to see that the new government has taken the first step towards getting us back on track by unfreezing the carbon tax. B.C. has already proven that the carbon tax is not an impediment to economic growth. Further, if the carbon tax is working as it should by providing a disincentive to produce emissions, the tax should eventually disappear as we transition to the low-carbon economy. In the meantime, the wildfires that devastated many parts of our province this summer and the increasing costs of natural disasters in other jurisdictions around the world highlight the need to mitigate the effects of climate change. I look forward to working with the government to come up with strategies to help B.C. businesses and communities adapt.”

Opioid and mental health crises

“I am glad that this government will make significant investments towards tackling the opioid and mental health crises. The crisis is continuing to grow, imposing a significant strain on government and non-profit services and programs. It is essential that our approach consider all the evidence and take immediate action to address this crisis.”

Today in the Legislature the Lieutenant Governor read the Speech from the Throne. I was of course very pleased with the message delivered in the Speech as it reflected much of what the BC NDP and the BC Greens had agreed to in our Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Below is the statement that I issued in response. I also prepared some comments that are available as a brief Facebook Video.

I want to emphasize that I am delighted with the Speech from the Throne. Without a doubt, this is the first Speech from the Throne that has focused on making lives better for the people of British Columbia in quite some time. The BC Green Caucus is looking forward to the next four years.

Media Statement

B.C. Green caucus statement on Speech from the Throne
For immediate release
September 8, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, responded to the Speech from the Throne.

“Four months after British Columbians cast their ballots, I am pleased to see so many B.C. Green ideas included in the new blueprint for government,” Weaver said.

“The Throne Speech highlighted many of the priorities outlined in our Confidence and Supply Agreement. These are policies that we believe we can advance together by moving beyond divisive partisan spin to truly address the challenges and opportunities facing British Columbians. Adam, Sonia and I look forward to working collaboratively with the government on these issues to deliver effective, well-considered public policy.

“These priorities highlight the difference that Greens made in the last election. This session, we will finally see corporate and union donations banned following the lead we took a year ago in banning them from our Party. We will see lobbying reform, a B.C. Green initiative, which will go even further towards ending the undue influence of special interests in our politics. B.C. will also have an Innovation Commissioner, one of the ideas in our emerging economy platform that will help ensure B.C.’s long term economic prosperity. I am also particularly encouraged that the government intends to increase funding for public education, which was the B.C. Greens’ number one priority in this election and is the best investment government can make.

“There are also initiatives outlined today that are not included in our Agreement. As an opposition caucus, we will determine whether to support, propose amendments to or oppose these initiatives on an issue-by-issue basis based on what we believe is in the best interests of British Columbians.

“We will not always agree with everything the government does. As with any relationship, this disagreement is healthy. All three parties share many values and goals, though we might sometimes differ on the best ways to implement them. There is much we can accomplish together if we are willing to engage in thoughtful, productive debate and to consistently put the interests of our constituents first.”

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

B.C. Green caucus announces official spokesperson roles
For immediate release
September 6, 2017

VICTORIA, BC – The B.C Green caucus today announced its new spokesperson roles for the upcoming session. This marks the first time the caucus has established official spokesperson roles after its historic election in May, when the party tripled its seats from 1 to 3 and doubled its popular vote count.

“I am delighted to announce – for the first time – the spokesperson roles of the B.C. Green caucus,” said Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Greens.

“B.C. faces a wide range of challenges and opportunities that require bold, innovative policies to ensure our long-term prosperity. In the 2017 campaign, the B.C. Greens ran on a comprehensive platform based on a clear vision for the future of British Columbia: one where the first priority of government is to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people it serves, where we build a strong, diverse economy that will thrive for generations to come, and where citizens trust their government to put their interests first. Our spokesperson roles reflect that vision and so will our work as MLAs.”

The caucus spokesperson roles will be divided as follows:

Ensuring the health and well being of British Columbians: Sonia Furstenau

Key issues that the Greens will advance towards this goal are healthy lives and lifelong learning – recognizing that education is a lifelong process that includes early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary and skills upgrading. In addition, Furstenau will be responsible for electoral reform.

Relevant ministries: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (professional reliance), Attorney General (electoral reform), Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources (water protection), and Ministry of Children & Family Development.

Furstenau will also serve as house leader.

Building a sustainable economy: Andrew Weaver

Key issues the Greens will advance towards this goal are building the green economy, income security (basic income), sustainable enterprise and climate action.

Relevant ministries: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (climate change), Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, and Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

Strengthening trust in government: Adam Olsen

Key issues the Greens will advance towards this goal are ensuring the adoption of UNDRIP and the TRC recommendations and government accountability and transparency. Additionally, Olsen will be responsible for affordable housing.

Relevant ministries: Attorney General (lobbying and electoral finance reform), Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Citizens Services, Ministry of Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Olsen will also serve as party whip.

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

Today in the BC Legislature the BC Liberals introduced two bills at First Reading. The first of these bills (Legislative Assembly Management Committee Amendment Act, 2017) granted official party status to the BC Green Party.  The second of these bills  (Election Amendment Act, 2017) was aimed at banning big money and other electoral finance changes at both the provincial and municipal level in British Columbia.

At first glance it might seem very odd that Adam Olsen, Sonia Furstenau and I voted against these bills at first reading (which means they won’t be printed and debated). But we did so as a matter of principle.

As I noted earlier, the legislature could and should have been recalled in early June (as the premier stated she would) in order for the BC Liberals to test the confidence in the house. Instead, through political calculation the BC Liberals chose the tactic of delay and distraction, all the while sowing the seeds of fear within the electorate.

After some discussion, we believed that it would be inappropriate for us to support the debating of government bills, even if it meant we wouldn’t be getting party status right away, until such time as confidence had been tested. We have already agreed to support a BC NDP minority government through a “supply and confidence agreement“.

Later today, Carole James will be introducing an amendment to the throne speech that states that the legislature does not have confidence in a BC Liberal government. She will be asking for unanimous consent for a vote on this amendment to occur right away. But it is likely that the BC Liberals will not agree and so the confidence vote will be delayed until Thursday afternoon.

While we wait, we’ll have to listen to BC Liberal after BC Liberal speak in support of the throne speech. Neither the NDP nor the BC Green MLAs (other than Carole James, John Horgan and I) will be speaking to it.

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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