Media

Media Statement: December 15, 2014
Guide outfitter industry prioritized over the needs of BC hunters
For immediate release

Victoria, B.C. –The Government of British Columbia’s recent decision to prioritize the guide outfitting industry over the interests of resident British Columbia hunters is directly contrary to the public interest says Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Deputy Leader of the BC Green Party.

On December 10th, 2014 the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations released his decision concerning how hunting licenses would be allocated between industry and British Columbians.

Contrary to the established Wildlife Allocation Policy, and the consultation process that developed it, this new decision allocated a massive increase in the proportion of licenses available to industry. This means that BC hunters, many of whom hunt for sustenance, may go without licenses this year.

“What we are seeing is the needs of industry being placed ahead of the needs of British Columbia residents,” said Andrew Weaver. “Last spring we had legislation passed that allowed guide outfitting operations to be owned by a foreign corporations, and now the government is supporting this industry on the backs of British Columbians.”

In February 2013, the government introduced the Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, which overhauled guide outfitting in BC. Importantly, it removed the requirement that a guide outfit can only be owned by a citizen of British Columbia, opening up the possibly that guide outfitters are owned and operated by corporations from other countries.

Since the legislation passed, government has maintained a focus on advancing the interests of this industry without mention of how it will affect BC hunters. In his June 2014 mandate letter, the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations was directed to “continue to work with BC Guides and Outfitters and other back country operators to ensure continued access and business certainty to Crown land and provide economic and tourism opportunities in rural British Columbia.”

“There are over 100,000 British Columbia residents who hunt each year, a number that has been growing over time,” said Andrew Weaver. “This government needs to halt their current approach to wildlife management and ensure that it is British Columbians who benefit from their policies.”

“I fail to see why they are advancing the interests of this industry ahead of the interests of British Columbians,” said Andrew Weaver.

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Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.Wright@leg.bc.ca
Cell: 1 250 216 3382

Today I mailed out 84 copies of a book I received from the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). Each MLA in the BC Legislature will receive their personal copy today. The book is written as a graphic novel with its content grounded in a detailed report published by the WBGU in 2011 entitled: World in Transition – A Social Contract for Sustainability.

In light of the fact that we just repealed some rather important climate mitigation policy, and in its place introduced two rather flimsy pieces of LNG legislation, I felt it was important for MLAs to brief themselves on the importance of transitioning our economy to the use low carbon energy systems.

Below I reproduce the letter I sent to MLAs as well as our media advisory.

The Letter

December 1, 2014

Dear MLA,

In the spirit of giving this Christmas, please find attached a copy of the book “The Great Transformation: Climate – Can we beat the heat?” produced by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). This book, recently translated into English by Bob Culverhouse, was developed in an easy-to-read comic-style in order to reach a broad and diverse audience

For your information, the WBGU, an independent, scientific advisory body comprising many of Germany’s most esteemed scholars, also recently produced a new report entitled “Climate Protection as a world Citizen Movement”, which can be accessed at:

www.wbgu.de/wbgu_sg2014_en.pdf

This new report provides a thorough assessment of the challenge faced by global society as we attempt to decarbonize our energy systems. I encourage you to browse through this comprehensive analysis.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday over the Christmas break and I look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Weaver

The Media Statement

Media Statement: December 2, 2014
Weaver gives all MLAs graphic novel on climate change for Christmas
For Immediate Release

Victoria, B.C. – Today, in the backdrop of new greenhouse gas emissions legislation that was passed during the fall legislative session, Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Deputy Leader of the B.C. Green Party mailed an individual copy of The Great Transformation: Climate – Can we beat the heat? to every MLA in British Columbia.

The Great Transformation is an easy-to-read graphic-style book produced by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). The WBGU is an independent, scientific advisory body comprising many of Germany’s most esteemed scholars. The book, which is based on the WBGU’s 2011 report “World in Transition – A Social Contract for Sustainability”, outlines the steps necessary to transition towards a low-carbon, sustainable society.

In the package sent to MLAs, Mr. Weaver also included a link to the WGBU new report titled “Climate Protection as a World Citizen Movement”. The report provides a thorough assessment of the challenge faced by global society as we attempt to decarbonize our energy systems.

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Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.Wright@leg.bc.ca
Cell: 1 250 216 3382

Today I attended a press conference hosted by the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) announcing the release of a new report entitled: “Geothermal Energy: The Renewable and Cost Effective Alternative to Site C”. Immediately following the start of the press conference, we released the press statement below.

Over the last two years, I have repeatedly called on the government to explore innovative new opportunities in the clean technology sector. Most recently, I issued a press release calling on the provincial government to broaden BC Hydro’s scope to allow for the development of a geothermal power capacity in the province of British Columbia.

I’ve also expressed concern regarding the effect of burgeoning debt on our overall credit rating should Site C be approved. This is particularly relevant in light of the existence of more cost-effective alternatives.

Below is the text of our press release.

Media Statement: November 25, 2014
Geothermal more economical than Site C
For immediate release

Victoria, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay – Gordon Head and Deputy Leader of the B.C. Green Party welcomes the findings of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) report, released today, entitled “Geothermal Energy: The Renewable and Cost Effective Alternative to Site C”.

Key findings of the report include:

• Geothermal unit energy cost conservatively estimated at 7.3¢/kWh compared to BC Hydro’s 8.3¢/kWh for Site C.
• Geothermal plant construction equalling the energy output of the proposed Peace River dam is estimated at $3.3 billion compared to at least $7.9 billion for Site C.
• Geothermal plants provide more permanent jobs that are distributed across British Columbia.
• For the same power production, the total physical and environmental footprint of geothermal projects would be substantially smaller than Site C.

British Columbia has significant potential to develop geothermal and other renewable energy projects throughout the province. Such projects would distribute energy production where it is required and allow power to be brought online as demand increases.

“This is a timely report that clearly validates geothermal energy as a viable, more cost-effective alternative to Site C,” notes Andrew Weaver. “Geothermal projects are cheaper to build, provide power at a more economical rate, have a minimal environmental footprint, and generate more permanent jobs throughout the province.”

“In light of this new announcement, it’s clear that the government should not proceed with the Site C project at this time,” said Weaver. “There are simply too many cheaper alternatives available to protect the ratepayer. The clean energy sector is eagerly awaiting a more fiscally-responsible investment decision that would provide employment and development opportunities across the province.”

The full CanGEA report can be found at www.cangea.ca.

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Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.Wright@leg.bc.ca
Cell: 1 250 216 3382

Media Statement: November 20, 2014
Pushing for a Ban on Sale, Trade and Distribution of Shark Fins in British Columbia.
For immediate release
 
Victoria, B.C. – Today in question period the Minister of Agriculture committed to meeting with Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Deputy Leader of the B.C. Green Party, to discuss how the province of British Columbian could end the sale, trade and distribution of shark fins in British Columbia.

Shark finning typically involves cutting off a shark’s fins and throwing their still-live bodies back into the water. Finned sharks then suffer a slow, grueling death through starvation, drowning or gradual predation.

“Scientific research clearly demonstrates that shark finning is a major reason for the declining shark populations worldwide” says Andrew Weaver. “Many of these iconic species are now at risk of extinction.”

In 2012 CTV News reported that 76 percent of DNA-tested dried shark fins purchased in Vancouver fell on the threatened or endangered red list published by the United Nations International Union for Conservation of Nature. Those samples also indicated the presence of great hammerhead and porbeagle fins, both of which are now classified as endangered species by the UN Convention on International Trade, to which Canada is a party.

“This issue was brought to me by a group of young, engaged students who are deeply concerned about what’s going on,” said Weaver. “We now have an opportunity for the provincial government to take leadership and demonstrate to these of children that they are responsive to their concerns.”

Twelve municipalities in B.C. have banned shark fins in their jurisdictions while all restaurants in Victoria have taken shark fin soup off their menus. Many other restaurants throughout the province have taken similar steps, yet shark fins continue to be bought and sold around the province.

In conjunction with his question, Dr. Weaver tabled a legal opinion that states that British Columbia has the authority to ban the sale, trade and distribution of shark fins through constitutional provisions.

“This issue is often perceived to be something that only the federal government can act on in a serious way” said Andrew Weaver. “However, I received legal advice that there are concrete steps that can be taken by this government to end this practice. I am pleased to see the government shares my concerns and has agreed to meet to discuss how we can go about ending this practice.”

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Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.Wright@leg.bc.ca
Cell: 1 250 216 3382

Media Statement: November 3, 2014
Made-in-BC Environmental Assessment Required for Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project
For immediate release

Victoria, B.C. – With evidence mounting that the National Energy Board hearings on the Trans Mountain pipeline has lost its legitimacy, Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Deputy Leader of the BC Green Party, is calling on the BC government to immediately issue the 30 day notice, required to cancel its equivalency agreement with the Federal government, and launch its own, separate, environmental assessment process.
“In the past week alone we have seen Kinder Morgan sue Burnaby residents for trespassing on parkland and one of the most credible intervenors, Marc Eliesen, fully withdraw from the hearing process,” says Andrew Weaver. “These are the latest indications that British Columbians simply do not trust the federal review process.”

Mr. Eliesen, an expert with over 40 years experience in the energy sector, including as a former board member of Suncor Energy, former CEO of B.C. Hydro, former Chair of Manitoba Hydro and deputy minister in several federal and provincial governments, issued a scathing letter to the National Energy Board outlining the reasons for his exit. His letter cites concerns that the NEB is failing to fulfill its role as an impartial, transparent review body.

This comes following months of jurisdictional disputes in the City of Burnaby and ongoing frustration expressed by other intervenors over a flawed hearing process.

As the only B.C. MLA with intervenor status in the hearings, Andrew Weaver has been among those intervenors who have been advocating for a better process.

“We have been voicing our concerns about the review process for months and every time we do we get shut down by the National Energy Board. At some stage you have to recognize that the federal process is simply stacked against British Columbians and the only way to change that is for our provincial government to step up and reclaim its right to have its own, made-in-BC hearing process.”

The June 2010 equivalency agreement signed between the federal government and province set the review process for major pipeline and energy projects under the the National Energy Board, with final approval to be determined by the federal cabinet. The equivalency agreement for the Trans Mountain project can be cancelled with 30 days notice.

“The BC government needs to stand up for British Columbians,” says Weaver. “What we need is a made-in-BC environmental assessment that is controlled by British Columbians to ensure our concerns get respected and that our questions get answered.”

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Media Contact

Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.Wright@leg.bc.ca
Cell: 1 250 216 3382