Today the Legislative Assembly Management Committee (LAMC) approved the release of the Speaker’s  76 page report entitled:

Report of the Speaker Darryl Plecas to the Legislative Assembly Management Committee concerning allegations of misconduct by senior officers of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly.

In this report the Speaker provides exhaustive details as to what led LAMC to recommend to the House that the Clerk and Sergeant at Arms be placed on administrative leave. The report raises serious questions concerning the conduct of a number of senior Legislative officials, and members of the official opposition.

Below I reproduce our initial media statement. I will be offering further, more detailed, comments shortly.

Media Release

B.C. Green Caucus statement on the release of the Speaker’s report
For immediate release
January 21st, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, issued the following statement in response to the report written by Speaker Darryl Plecas and released publicly by the all-party Legislative Assembly Management Committee (LAMC):

“The report released today makes serious and shocking claims that have significant implications for public trust in our democratic institutions.

“The B.C. Green caucus fully supports the motions passed unanimously today by the LAMC. These are crucial first steps towards restoring integrity and faith in our provincial government.

“As a caucus we have made democratic integrity a major focus, championing issues such as lobbying reform and campaign finance reform. The people of our province deserve public institutions they can trust. We have never been more committed to seeking the truth and restoring our democracy for the benefit of all British Columbians.

“We will do whatever it takes to ensure that this trust is restored and that British Columbians get answers to the numerous unanswered questions that are raised by this report.

“We will have further comments in the near future once we have had a chance to review this report in detail.”

The full report can be viewed here.

-30-

Media contact
Stephanie Siddon, Acting Press Secretary
+1 250-882-6187 | stephanie.siddon@leg.bc.ca

Today Elections BC released the results of the referendum on proportional representation. The referendum failed with 61.3% (845,235) supporting the current First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system and 38.7% (533,518) supporting a form of proportional representation. Below is the press release my office issued in response to the news.

Media Release

 Weaver statement on electoral reform referendum results
For immediate release
December 20, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, released the following statement regarding the results of B.C.’s referendum on electoral reform. Elections B.C. announced today that British Columbians voted to retain the current First Past the Post system.

“We campaigned on proportional representation because representative democracy is one of the 6 core principles of the B.C. Green Party,” said Weaver.

“While we are disappointed with this result, we respect British Columbians’ decision to retain the current First Past the Post system.

“I thank Elections BC for their work administering this referendum. They provided British Columbians with clear, impartial information and accessible opportunities to vote.

“Over the course of the referendum, I had the opportunity to speak with countless British Columbians about their democracy. I was inspired to meet so many citizens who care deeply about modernizing our system of governance so it better reflects the will of the people. I thank everyone who volunteered, voted and worked on the campaign.

“The B.C. Greens remain committed to the principle of representative democracy. As part of this file we have already banned big money and reformed the lobbying industry. We will continue to champion policies that will strengthen B.C’s democracy and make it more responsive to and representative of the people of B.C.”

-30-

Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 250-882-6187 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

Today I joined Premier John Horgan, Minister George Heyman and Minister Michelle Mungall in Vancouver to announce British Columbia’s new CleanBC economic plan aimed at positioning BC as a leader in the 21^st century, low carbon economy.

This announcement was very important to me as it represented the culmination of several years work. As anyone who watched the documentary Running on Climate will know, I originally ran for office in 2013 with the BC Green Party as a point of principle — I could not stand by and watch Gordon Campbell’s legacy of leadership in the low carbon economy be dismantled by the Christy Clark government.

Today’s announcement repositions BC on the path to realize a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, relative to 2007 levels, by 2030.  What’s especially exciting about today’s announcement is that it re-emphasizes the reality that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will lead to economic opportunity and prosperity for BC.

Below I reproduce the speaking notes I was planning to follow (although I went off script) along with the accompanying press release, and my overall reaction to the plan (in video).

Speaking Notes

• Over the last 150 years, Earth has made a transition from the past, when climate affected the evolution of human societies, to the present, in which humans are affecting the evolution of climate and weather.
• What we are at risk of losing on this planet – what has already started to die off or slip away – is staggering.
• And today, as I speak to you, we are at a pivotal moment in human history: Our generation is responsible for deciding what path the future climate will take.
• We will either be complicit in allowing climate change to despoil our world – or we can fight for a different outcome for our children.
• As Sir David Attenborough said Monday in Poland at the UN Climate talks, “If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilizations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.”
• As a climate scientist, I have spent my entire adult life consumed by this threat and the opportunities that will come with it.
• As a professor at the University of Victoria, my students would ask me, year after year, why so little progress was being made to combat climate change. In response I would encourage them to get involved with leaders who took global warming seriously or, if there were none, to consider running for office themselves.
• I tried to take my own advice.
• In 2007, I had the honour of being on the Climate Action Team that advised Premier Gordon Campbell.
• That work led to B.C. becoming the first jurisdiction in North America to put a price on carbon.
• B.C. stood as an example of how putting a price on carbon is perfectly compatible with prosperity.
• Our emissions dropped as our economy grew.
• And when I saw that leadership and progress being dismantled by the administration that followed, I put my name forward for public office.
• I knew I would not be able to look my kids in the face if I didn’t do everything I possibly could to fight for their future.
• That fight has not been easy.
• But I am very happy and proud to be here today, to be here to say that it has been worth it.
• By tackling climate change, with carefully designed policies, B.C.’s economy can grow in new ways.
• CleanBC offers a pathway for B.C. to be on the cutting edge of the low-carbon economy.
• This plan is a vital first step towards keeping B.C.’s climate commitments.
• Climate change is daunting and overwhelming, yes, but within every challenge lies opportunity.
• We worked hard to ensure that CleanBC is not just a climate plan – it is an economic vision.
• It is not just the Ministry of Environment’s responsibility – it is an all. of. government approach.
• B.C. has all the strategic advantages needed to seize low-carbon economic opportunities and this plan will ensure we maximize our full potential.
• I have long believed that our children and grandchildren will ask us one of two questions when they look back at the beginning of this century.
• It will either be: “How could you let this happen?”
• Or, if we choose a different path, they will ask: “How did you solve this problem when so many said you couldn’t?”
• To be a climate scientist one must be an optimist. Frankly, I’ve found it helps you survive politics too.
• I am convinced my children will one day ask me the second question. And when they do I will answer:
• “We prevailed because we worked together. We saw the threat and we knew we had to deal with it.”
• I am greatly encouraged by the spirit of hope and collaboration in which this plan was written and thank the government, in particular Minister Heyman, for their efforts in this regard.
• There is much work still to be done, but today I feel we are one step closer to that brighter future.
• Thank you again, to everyone who has helped us get here.
• Please join me in welcoming Minister Heyman.

Media Release

Weaver: B.C. climate plan offers pathway to low-carbon economy
For immediate release
December 5, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, says the CleanBC plan released today offers a pathway for B.C. to be on the cutting edge of the low-carbon economy. Weaver says the plan is a vital first step towards keeping B.C.’s climate commitments and looks forward to building on this progress in the months ahead.

“This plan offers a pathway for B.C. to have a thriving low-carbon economy,” said Weaver.

“Climate change is the most significant challenge facing humanity. Each megatonne of carbon we take out of the equation will bring us closer to limiting global warming, in turn limiting the economic damage, social upheaval and human suffering threatened by climate change. British Columbians should be proud that this plan can make a difference.

“Within every challenge lies opportunity. This is why we worked hard to ensure that CleanBC puts a vision for B.C.’s economy at its centre. B.C. has all the strategic advantages needed to seize low-carbon economic opportunities and this plan will ensure we maximize our full potential. I am greatly encouraged by the spirit of hope and collaboration in which this plan was written and thank the government, in particular Minister Heyman, for their efforts in this regard.

“This has been a year of hard choices for our Caucus. The decision of the government to go ahead with LNG was a low point. I will always argue that the development of new large fossil fuel infrastructure is inconsistent with our commitments under the Paris Agreement. But this plan, and the preliminary work we have done on how we will achieve the remaining reductions, give me confidence that our targets may be within reach and that they are certainly worth fighting for. I am pleased that the plan will be backed up with funding in the next budget, and that the government has agreed to enact an accountability framework to hold the current and future governments to account.

“Climate change will test every modern leader and history will judge each of us by our actions. We must come together around our shared desire to secure a bright future for our children and grandchildren and advance every available solution to limit global warming. This will require us to sit at the table with people from across the political spectrum and stay at the table even when we don’t always get exactly what we want. The scale of this challenge calls on us to ask not what is the least we can do, but what is the most we can achieve.

“This plan is a commendable start and I am proud of the work we have done to get it to this point, but we need to keep pushing forward. The time for decisive action is now and we will keep fighting for better.”

-30-

Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 250-882-6187 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

Video of Overall Reaction

Today was the final day of the fall legislative session. The house will resume sitting on February 12, 2019. At this time the government will introduce a new Speech from the Throne.

Below is the media statement my office released in association with the rising of the house.

Media Release

B.C. Greens mark action on key priorities, improvements to legislation
For immediate release
November 27, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party caucus, closed the end of the Fall legislative session noting action on key B.C. Green priorities and key improvements to government legislation.

“This was a very productive session for our caucus,” said Weaver.

“We saw action on a number of important issues we have long championed, such as demand-side housing action, lobbying reform, changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve, reform of the professional reliance model and a revitalization of the environmental assessment process. These policy changes will strengthen our democracy and help ensure B.C.’s long-term prosperity and quality of life. I thank the Ministers for their hard work and collaborative approach to these policies.”

Lobbying and the professional reliance model reform were signature B.C. Green Party platform policies, which both the B.C. NDP and B.C. Greens committed to actioning in their Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA). Commitments to revitalize the ALR and the environmental assessments were also a key CASA commitments.

“Our Caucus was also able to improve important pieces of legislation, securing the passage of amendments to the Speculation and Vacancy Tax and the government’s ride-hailing legislation,” Weaver continued.

“I am greatly encouraged by these instances as examples of how opposition parties working in a minority government can help produce more balanced in legislation. In both cases, we drew our concerns from listening to the public and stakeholders, ensuring their voices were heard in the Legislature.

“Towards the end of the session we also participated in the initial announcements from the upcoming climate plan, the ZEV standard and social housing retrofits. Actioning an innovative climate plan that puts an economic vision at its centre is the single best thing we can do to set our province up for success. Collaborating with government on this file has been a highlight of our working relationship and I look forward to the release of the full plan very soon.”

-30-

Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 250-882-6187 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

Today in the legislature the BC Liberals caught the BC NDP off guard during the monday morning Private Members’ Motions section of the Legislative Orders of the Day. Normally, and standing practice is, that Private Members’ Motions are debated but never voted upon. These motions are only debated on Monday mornings.

What normally happens is that the last speaker to the Private Member’s motion moves adjournment of debate just prior to the lunch break. A new Private Member’s motion is then brought forward the following week. Unanimous consent is required before that new Private Member’s motion is debated in light of the fact that none of the previous motions have been voted on and so dispensed of. This week, and contrary to normal practice and without notice, the last BC Liberal Speaker decided not to move adjournment. The BC NDP were caught off guard by this “political trick” and nobody subsequently rose to speak. The Speaker then closed the debate and the bill moved immediately to a vote. A standing vote was called which occurs 1/2 hour before the end of the normal end of debates on Monday evening.

The motion that was being debated was put forward by John Rustad, the MLA for Nechako Lakes:

Be it resolved that this House recognizes that foreign influence on B.C. public policy issues is unacceptable, and that organizations should be banned from using foreign money for political activities.

Below I reproduce the media release our caucus issued immediately following the vote.

Media Release

B.C. Green Caucus statement on official opposition motion on “foreign influence” in politics
For immediate release
November 19, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, released the following statement on MLA Rustad’s motion on “foreign influence” on B.C. public policy issues.

“While we certainly welcome any opportunity for a good faith policy discussion on how to strengthen the integrity of B.C. politics, we are unclear of the policy implications of this motion,” said Weaver.

“Last year, working with the B.C. NDP, we banned overseas donations to B.C. political parties, along with all corporate and union donations. This is the single most significant policy change ever made to limit direct foreign influence in our politics. Under the previous government, any individual or corporation from anywhere in the world could donate any amount of money directly to the coffers of political parties. We are proud to have been a part of making this change.

“The vague language used in Mr. Rustad’s motion makes it unclear how we could advance a policy on this issue. ‘Organizations’ could apply to businesses, academic institutions and other types of international institutions like the United Nations. Advocating for legislative and policy changes is an important part of the work that both charities and businesses do as members of our vibrant civil society. At the same time, it is important that this advocacy be transparent and fair, and we are proud to have worked with the B.C. NDP to strengthen the rules governing lobbying done by all types of organizations in B.C.

“Canada is proud of its international reputation as a good place to do business and of its engagement on the international stage on important issues like human rights and climate change. Canadians routinely donate to international charities, and Canadian charities do incredible work that our friends abroad support. Similarly, Canadian businesses welcome international investment, as well as the opportunity to do business in other countries. Canadian non-profits and registered charities are already entirely prohibited from engaging in partisan activities. They are restricted to only engaging in non-partisan political activity if it represents no more than 10% of their resources. The contours of this issue are thus far more complex than Mr. Rustad’s motion suggests, and we must ensure that our rules reflect Canada’s openness and are fair for business, non-profits and the public.

“We continue to welcome the opportunity to collaborate with all Members from all parties on sensible, legally enforceable reforms that will strengthen the integrity of B.C.’s democracy.”

-30-

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