The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) today released its landmark assessment detailing the world’s declining state of biodiversity. Remarkably, British Columbia’s government has still not announced how it plans to deliver on its 2017 mandate to enact an endangered species law. Below I reproduced the text of our media release in response to the IPBES report.

Media Release

Humans threaten 1 million species with extinction worldwide, B.C. still without any endangered species legislation
For immediate release
May 6, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. – One million of the planet’s eight million species are threatened with extinction, according to a comprehensive report released today from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), a UN committee, and yet British Columbia’s government has still not announced how it plans to deliver on its 2017 mandate to enact an endangered species law.

“The report identifies habitat loss, sustainable exploitation, climate change, and pollution as the main culprits, which are all areas that we can and should focus on in British Columbia to protect our at-risk species and the health of our province,” B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver said.

“I drafted and introduced an endangered species act for British Columbia twice in the legislature, most recently in November 2017. British Columbia is the most bio-diverse province in Canada, but it is also home to more at-risk species than any other province with 1,807 species at risk of extinction. In addition to detailing policies to identify, protect and rehabilitate at-risk wildlife populations and habitats, my Endangered Species Act introduced proactive measures that would prevent healthy species from declining in the first place.”

The world is in the midst of the sixth great global extinction event, and humans are the driving force. Proactive protection and active restoration are key to the resiliency of British Columbia.

Humans are part of nature and inextricably linked to its deterioration. As stated in the IPBES report, some 70 percent of drugs used for cancer treatment are natural or synthetic products linked to nature, and 75 percent of global food crops rely on animal pollination. In B.C., in 2017 nearly 10,000 people were employed in fisheries-related jobs and other 141,000 worked in forestry-related positions.

“If our ecosystems collapse, so does our economy,” Weaver said. “We need biodiversity for pollination, flood prevention, water and air purification, climate change resiliency, and social and cultural well-being.

“The IPBES report makes it abundantly clear governments must act urgently to change the trajectory of global extinction. My B.C. Green caucus colleagues and I will fight for the same in British Columbia.”

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

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. In the legislature the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing rose to deliver a Ministerial Statement for which both the Member from Abbotsford West and I delivered a response. I reproduce the video and text of my remarks below. We also issued a media statement that is appended at the end.

Video of Statement

Text of Statement

A. Weaver: Today I rise to speak about Yom HaShoah. It’s a day dedicated to reflecting on the atrocities of the Holocaust and remembering those who suffered and lost their lives.

As time moves forward, each survivor that passes away emphasizes the importance of taking the time to remember. Their stories allow us to understand what happened. They allow us to reflect on our society. I’d like to thank and honour these survivors for sharing their story.

Sadly, anti-Semitism is rising in Canada. In British Columbia, we’ve seen a 127 percent increase in the number of incidents over the last year.

Greater volumes of hate are being spewed on line, often behind the masks of anonymity. Anti-hate groups are also reporting increased in-person incidents of hate.

Religious and ethnic intolerance is antithetical to the values we hold for society. The difficulty of accepting those who are different from ourselves has been a scourge on humankind throughout history. Our answer as a society must be a strong and resounding rejection of othering and hatred. We must consistently embrace our values of tolerance and liberty.

It was the deaths of people who wanted to live in an equal world that forged the society we live in today, and we cannot let their sacrifice slip away. We should use this day to remind ourselves we do not have a guarantee to our values of tolerance, freedom of religion. If we fail to defend them, we let slip the very humanity that generations have suffered to achieve.

Let us not forget the millions of Jewish people who were murdered. Let us not forget their stories. Let us not forget that there is still work to be done.

Media Statement

BC Green caucus statement on Yom HaShoah
For immediate release
May 2, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, issued the following statement in recognition of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“Today is dedicated to reflecting on the atrocities of the Holocaust and remembering those who suffered and lost their lives, as well as those who fought against it.”

“Religious and ethnic intolerance is antithetical to the values we hold for society. The difficulty of accepting those who are different than ourselves has been a scourge on humankind throughout history – our answer as a society must be a strong and resounding rejection of othering and hatred. We must consistently embrace values of tolerance and liberty.

“With the recent rise of antisemitism in Canada and in BC, it is even more important that we speak up against hate, and that we remember what can happen when we do not. Let us not forget the millions of people who were murdered; let us not forget their stories; let us not we forget that there is still work to be done.”

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

The BC NDP government today introduced Bill 30: Labour relations code amendment act, 2019. The BC Green Caucus issued a media release (reproduced below) in response to the Bill’s introduction. I look forward to debating this bill at second reading in the near future and I will provide a more comprehensive analysis of it at that time.

Media Release

B.C. Green Caucus Supports Labour Relations Code Amendments
For immediate releaseApril 30, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. Ending the pendulum swings that have defined labour policy the past 30 years is a priority for the B.C. Greens, and the proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Code are a step towards reaching that balance while also enhancing important protections for workers.

“British Columbians deserve to expect certainty and stability in labour policy, which is what our caucus has advocated all along,” said B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver. “For the past 30 years, labour policy in B.C. has been defined by pendulum swings between Liberal and NDP governments. Thorough our consultations with government, we made clear that progressive changes are needed to protect workers through moderate, evidence-based policy adjustments.

“The expert review panel made balanced and thoughtful recommendations on updating the labour code that are reflected in this legislation. Retaining the secret ballot while shortening the time frame for votes from ten to five business days, and enacting stronger protections against employer interference, is a reasonable path forward to maintain balance in workplaces and ensure workers are protected as they exercise their choice.”

The B.C. Green caucus supports other significant provisions of this legislation, which take important steps forward to better protect workers and ensure balance in workplaces. These include:

• Extending successorship provisions to protect workers in building cleaning/janitorial services, security services, bus transportation services, non-clinical health care services, and food services;
• Reducing the disruption caused by frequent raids by modifying the open periods;
• Removing education as an essential service.

“We think this legislation strikes the right balance and therefore better able to ensure fairness and balance in workplaces, which is in the interest of both workers and employers,” Weaver said.

These amendments are necessary adjustments to existing labour law, but they fail to address the more fundamental challenges facing the economy.

“Unfortunately, what continues to be missing from the conversation is a focus on how we can adapt our labour laws to support people grappling with the changing nature of work,” Weaver said. “From increases in precarious, gig-based jobs, to the increasing use of contractors instead of employees, British Columbians are dealing with huge changes to job stability and income security, and our laws aren’t keeping up.”

The B.C. Green caucus consults with government to improve fairness for workers and ensure balance in the workplace as part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

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

Today the BC Government tabled Bill 8: Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2019. Improving fairness for workers and ensuring balance in workplaces are part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement we signed with the NDP. Our caucus has approached this issue from the start by focusing on sensible policy that puts the health and well-being of people at its core. Our goal is to see an end to the pendulum swings that have marked labour policy in our province over the past three decades. Many of the changes in this legislation appear to be positive steps in that direction. In particular, the changes will give job security to workers fleeing domestic violence and protect children from dangerous work.

Below is our initial statement released in response to the Bill’s introduction. We look forward to debating this bill at second reading in the near future. I will provide a more comprehensive analysis of it once we have had a chance to examine it in detail.

Media Statement

Employment Standards Amendment Act
For immediate release
April 29, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green caucus supports government’s legislation amending the Employment Standards Act, which aligns the province with United Nations standards to better protect children and youth, protect workers facing domestic violence, and improve balance in workplaces.

“Key elements of this legislation better protect the health and well-being of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities,” B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver said. “This legislation will improve safety for children and youth in the workforce, and it allows survivors of domestic violence to take time off when they need it, knowing they will have a job to return to, which can make all the difference to those living in dangerous circumstances. We should take this a step further and provide paid leave for people fleeing domestic violence, to support them as they find safety.

“We have approached this issue from the start by focusing on sensible policy that puts the health and well-being of people at its core. Our goal is to see an end to the pendulum swings that have marked labour policy in our province over the past three decades.

“The upcoming months will require government to engage in a thorough consultation process to establish clear, fair and balanced regulations that businesses can follow. We must also start earnest work to modernize our laws to better support workers as they are forced to adapt to the changing nature of work and the growth of the gig economy.”

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

On May 14, 2018 I first introduced Bill M216: Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2018. This bill passed second reading on May 17, 2018 but was not called for committee debate during the 3rd session of the 42st parliament. As such, I reintroduced a slightly revised version of the bill today: Bill M209: Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2019.

This bill proposes amendments to the Business Corporations Act and will create a new Part 2.3 in the Act that enables companies to become benefit companies. These companies will have to meet certain requirements, including:

• Committing in their articles to operate in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner, and to promote specific public benefits;
• The directors must act honestly and in good faith to pursue public benefits and consider the interests of persons affected by the company’s conduct
• Reporting publicly against an independent third party standard.

The choice to become a benefit corporation status is completely voluntary and has no impact on other existing corporations, other corporate forms, taxes or government regulation

It’s generally recognized that Canadian corporate law does not have a strict “shareholder primacy” rule as the US does, so directors of companies in Canada have more discretion to pursue a broader mandate beyond maximizing shareholder profits. However, this legislation is needed to

• Provide clarity for directors and shareholders about the nature and mandate of the company – avoid the risk of a shareholder challenge regarding the director’s duties;
• Provide certainty for impact investors of the nature and mandate of the company;
• Enable companies to attract capital while being true to their mission as they grow;
• Protect the vision of the founders of benefit companies from shareholder challenges;
• Provide a simple framework for companies to adhere to that is legally and commercially recognized.

This legislation would also encourage more companies to pursue a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable approach to business, creating beneficial outcomes for society as a whole and leveraging the power of business to help us to tackle significant social and environmental challenges.

Below I introduce the video and text of the introduction of this bill. I also attach a copy of the media release that we issued today.

Video of Introduction

Text of Introduction

A. Weaver: I move that a bill intituled Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2019, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read a first time now.

This bill amends the Business Corporations Act, adding a new part to the act that would give companies in British Columbia the ability to incorporate as benefit companies. This legislation would support companies that choose to put the pursuit of social and environmental goals at the heart of their mission. Benefit companies would embed a commitment into their articles to operate in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible way and to pursue public benefits.

B.C. is home to a number of incredibly innovative and socially responsible companies that want to play a bigger role in addressing the challenges we face collectively. This legislation is one that government can support and encourage business to take on this critically important role in our society.

Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

A. Weaver: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Bill M209, Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2019, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Media Release

B.C. Greens introduce legislation to support companies pursuing environmental and social goals
For immediate release
April 10, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green caucus introduced legislation today to provide a legal framework for B.C. businesses committed to pursuing social and environmental goals to incorporate as benefit companies under theBusiness Corporations Act.If passed, the bill would become the first Private Member’s Bill from an opposition party to be passed directly into law in British Columbia.

“B.C. Greens are showing a path forward, both by supporting companies committed to pursuing a triple bottom line who choose to embed social responsibility and environmental sustainability right into their corporate DNA, and also by demonstrating yet another way a small caucus can offer leadership within a stable minority government,” said MLA Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party.

“B.C. is home to incredibly innovative companies that want to play a bigger role in addressing the challenges and opportunities we face – climate change, rapid changes in the nature of work, the gig economy, rapid technological advances, and growing income inequality,” said Weaver. “This legislation is part of positioning our province to be a leader on the cutting edge of global economic trends. We are seeing shifts in consumer patterns and behaviour, particularly among younger demographics sensitive to their social and environmental impact. By becoming the first jurisdiction in Canada to create benefit companies, B.C. can best position our economy for success.”

Government recognizes the impact B.C. businesses make in their communities, and has been supportive of the concept of benefit companies.

“I want to thank our partners in the Green Party Caucus for bringing this idea forward,” said Carole James, Minister of Finance. “Many B.C. businesses are leaders in building sustainable and socially responsible practices into their enterprises. We’ve worked closely with our minority government partners to create this opportunity for B.C. businesses to choose a new corporate structure that includes their social and environmental goals.”

The legislation amends the Business Corporations Act, and would enable companies to incorporate as a new type of company in B.C., a benefit company. Benefit companies would embed into their articles two commitments: operating in a responsible and sustainable manner, and pursuing specific public benefits. Directors of benefit companies would need to balance this broader mandate against their traditional duty to pursue the best interests of the corporation. Companies would also need to report their progress against an independent third-party standard. This legislation would ensure that mission-driven companies can stay true to their mission as they grow, and it would help them to attract capital by providing investors with certainty about the mandate of the company without being overly prescriptive with regards to how companies must spend profits.

“B.C. is already home to number of socially responsible companies,” said Weaver. “But government should do more to support those companies that want to create environmental and social value. More companies want to follow the leadership of the early adopters, so let’s give them the framework that will best support them as they take on this critical work.”

Quotes:

Catherine Warren, CEO, Vancouver Economic Commission-

“As Vancouverites and British Columbians, we are proud to be a hub for bold, mission-driven companies, so it comes as no surprise to us that B.C. could pass the first benefit company legislation in the country. Jobseekers, international businesses, and investors with common values come here to build on common ground. The Vancouver Economic Commission is focused on inclusive, resilient economic development and prosperity for all. We recognize that we can always do more – to help local companies lead for people, planet, and prosperity – and VEC’s sees this legislation as one way to ensure that social and environmental values advance tomorrow’s economy.”

Chris Arkell, co-founder of Sea to Sky Removal-

“As a company focused on waste management in the construction industry, we wanted to hold ourselves to the highest available standard of public accountability. Unlike traditional corporations, companies like ours are committed to considering the impact of their decisions not only on their shareholders, but also on their stakeholders – workers, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment. This legislation would strengthen our ability to maintain our core values even as future directors, management or ownership changes may happen.“

Michelle Reid, sustainability czar, Mills Office Productivity-

“We have been a B.C.-based family business for 70 years. Multiple generations of our family have continued our founder’s commitment to delivering office products ethically and sustainably. This legislation sends a strong signal to the market that businesses like ours are moving in the right direction. We thank the B.C. Greens for showing the way forward for more companies to join us in doing the right thing for our customers, our community and our planet.”

Quick Facts:

What does this legislation do?

• This legislation provides a simple framework for companies to adhere to that is legally and commercially recognized and creates a higher standard, by requiring that:

○     Directors act with a broader purpose with respect to society and the environment, and balance this commitment against the best interests of the company.

○     Companies promote a specific “public benefit”, or a positive effect.

○     Directors must publish an annual report that describes the company’s activities in relation to their benefit commitments, and they must select an independent third party standard to report their work against.

• This legislation creates clear expectations about the nature and mandate of the company and provides protections for directors who choose to prioritize public benefits, not only profits.
• It will provide certainty for impact investors of the nature and mandate of the company.
• It will enable companies to attract capital while being true to their mission as they grow.
• It will protect the vision of the founders of benefit companies by embedding the environmental and social benefits into the company’s mandate.

How do benefit companies differ from Community Contribution Companies (C3s)?

• Government introduced C3 legislation in 2012 as a hybrid option between for-profit businesses and non-profit enterprises.
• C3s and benefit companies are complementary ways for government to support a spectrum of socially and environmentally responsible business.
• C3s are subject to restrictions related to their allocation of profits and their transfer of assets, while benefit companies would have no such restrictions.

How can a company become a benefit company?

• A company can become a benefit company by altering its notice of articles to include the required benefit statement through a special resolution, which would require two-thirds approval to pass.
• A company would need to include in its articles a commitment to operate in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner, and to promote one or more specific public benefits.

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Media contact
Macon McGinley, Press Secretary
+1 250-882-6187 |macon.mcginley@leg.BC.ca