Media

Media Statement December 19, 2013
BC Greens call for sixth condition for heavy oil pipelines
For immediate release

Victoria BC – In response the NEB Joint Review Panel’s final decision to approve Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline, BC Green Party MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, Andrew Weaver, and BC Green Party Leader Adam Olsen are calling on the BC Government to establish a 6th condition for support of heavy oil pipeline projects: A moratorium on dilbit transport along the B.C. coast.

“We are quite disappointed with the JRP report in respect to the risks related to dilbit,” says Andrew Weaver. “The key issue is dilbit because it’s different from refined oils that float on the surface–up to 50% of dilbit sinks making clean-up significantly more difficult if not impossible. We have no way of knowing what would happen if dilbit were to spill on our coast. The science isn’t there to allow for effective spill response and this was not reflected in the report.”

According to the report “Northern Gateway and other hearing participants did not agree on the behaviour of diluted bitumen spilled into water.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has made it clear that “Behaviour models specific to dilbit spills do not exist, and existing commercial models for conventional oil do not allow parameter specific modifications.”

“Clearly the report did not do an adequate job of addressing the risks of dilbit on our coast.” says Adam Olsen. “We have a choice as British Columbians: We can continue to play Russian roulette with our pristine coastline, or we can stand up for British Columbia and put a moratorium on dilbit transport along our coast.”

Mat Wright – Press Secretary Andrew Weaver MLA

mat.wright@leg.bc.ca

1 250 216 3382

Media Statement December 19, 2013
Northern Gateway, Joint Review Panel – Conditional ‘Yes’
For immediate release

Victoria BC – Today the National Energy Board’s Joint Review Panel released its report to the Federal Cabinet on Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. The panel’s conditional ‘yes’ is deeply concerning, considering the opposition by the BC Government, First Nations, environmental groups and the majority of the people of the province.

However, it is the 209 conditions that apply for the project to proceed which require emphasis. The Federal Cabinet must ensure that these conditions will be fully met before approving the project. It is unclear how the marine spill response conditions can be fully met, given the lack of scientific research and understanding of how diluted bitumen behaves in a marine environment.

“To date, not a single oil spill response study has adequately accounted for what would happen if DilBit were to spill in the ocean. The BC Government has said they require world class, effective spill response capacity, but don’t yet know how they will evaluate this. How can we possibly gauge how well prepared we are for a DilBit spill if the science, the studies and the evaluative criteria don’t even exist?” Andrew Weaver MLA

The question remains if the recommendations will meet the five requirements outlined by the BC Government, or even if the Northern Gateway Project itself can satisfy the conditions outlined by the Joint Review Panel. The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs remain firmly opposed, and their participation is vital for the project to move forward.

“It is deeply concerning that the Joint Review Panel has recommended the approval of the Northern Gateway Pipeline. The vast majority of British Columbians have made it clear they are opposed to the pipeline. My question to the Christy Clark is: Will you stand up for BC like you promised during the election and stop this pipeline, or will you stand by while the Federal government impose its will on our province?” Adam Olsen, Interim Leader BC Green Party

Mat Wright – Press Secretary Andrew Weaver MLA
mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
1 250 216 3382

Media Release – December 17th, 2013
Intervener Application for Kinder Morgan/Trans Mountain Pipeline Review

For Immediate Release

Victoria BC – Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Andrew Weaver and BC Green Party Interim Leader Adam Olsen will seek intervener status in the forth coming National Energy Board hearings on the proposed Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

If approved the new pipeline would triple existing capacity from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels per day of diluted bitumen (DilBit) that would be transported from a delivery terminal near Edmonton, Alberta to a Kinder Morgan facility in Burnaby, BC. The proposed capacity is nearly double that of the Northern Gateway pipeline that has sparked so much opposition in B.C., with a capacity of 525,000 barrels per day.

The piped DilBit is for export, which will dramatically increase tanker traffic through Burrard Inlet, the Salish Sea, and Straight of Juan De Fuca—some of the most pristine, and economically significant, coastal environments in the province.

The City of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has noted an “unacceptable risk” over the dangers of a pipeline rupture, or tanker incident, which would have a profound economic and environmental impact on the metro region. These concerns have been echoed by First Nations, municipalities, environmental organizations and British Columbian’s along the pipeline and tanker routes.

“There is no science on how DilBit behaves if spilled into a marine environment. The risk is simply too high, and we should not be approving a project hoping that sometime in the future the capacity will be available to deal with a land- or sea-based DilBit disaster. Oak Bay-Gordon Head beaches and coastline face that tanker route; I will testify on the concerns being raised by my constituents” Andrew Weaver MLA

“The NEB hearings on Northern Gateway showed how Enbridge failed to adequately consult the people of British Columbia. We need to ensure everyone affected by the pipeline and tanker routes has the opportunity to have their say” Adam Olsen, Interim Leader, BC Green Party

The National Energy Board hearings will likely begin early in 2014 and could last up to 15 months. Kinder Morgan’s application comes ahead of the Joint Review Panel’s much anticipated decision on the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline, which is will be released on Thursday, December 19^th..

Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary Andrew Weaver MLA
mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
1 250 216 3382

Media Statement December 16 2013
Local Solar Company Wins Award
For immediate release

Supporting Renewable Energy

Victoria BC – A Victoria based solar technology company has been awarded Canadian Distributor of the Year by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). HES-PV sold over 1000 home and commercial solar systems in 2013, one of over 650 companies in Canada heading towards a goal of generating 3.48 GW, enough energy to power 350 000 homes, by 2018.

“Despite the low electricity prices in Canada, the trend to take control of rising energy costs is made much easier for consumers since solar electric power has become so affordable. The cost of residential solar systems has dropped 40% over the past three years due to the global solar boom, and more Canadians are taking advantage of this technology” Dave Egles, founder HES

While recognizing the success of programs and initiatives like Solar Colwood (www.solarcolwood.ca) in the Capital Regional District, and others around the province and country, the patchwork of incentives at the municipal, provincial and federal level make it difficult for consumers to access clean energy technologies.

The renewable energy sector has enormous potential to reduce energy costs for residences and commercial operations, and to produce quality, well paid, jobs in all regions of British Columbia.

“I am delighted that a constituent Dave Egles and his company HES-PV have received this well-deserved award. I’ve recently toured two of his impressive installations in the riding of Oak Bay Gordon Head.  Across British Columbia, clean technology companies have the potential to stimulate BC’s economy through innovation and job creation. This is a sector that deserves much greater support from all levels of government as we transition towards a resilient and sustainable 21^st century economy” Andrew Weaver MLA.

About HES-PV – HES-PV is a Victoria based technology company, specializing in solar electric systems for homes and businesses.  HES sold over 1000 systems in 2013, with a power production equivalent to the electrical needs of 1000 homes.  HES also has facilities in Barrie Ontario, and participates in Ontario’s FIT and MicroFIT programs with large scale solar installations to help Ontario fulfill its commitment to replace its coal fired generation with clean renewable energy.  Its’ founder, Dave Egles, started in the solar industry as the first commercial applications were being developed in 1988.  He connected the first Net Metered Grid-Connected Solar House in BC that joined BC Hydro’s Net Metering Program. HES has a staff of 25 people.

Contact: Dave Egles degles@hespv.com 250-882-1533.

Mat Wright
Press Secretary: Andrew Weaver MLA
mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
1 250 216 3382

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Statement—December 5, 2013

Andrew Weaver calls on Island Health to delay implementation of new Patient Care Model

Victoria BC – Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, has called on Island Health to delay the implementation of their new patient care model, titled Care Delivery Model Redesign (CDMR), until comprehensive, independent and publically-available evaluations can be completed.

CDMR is Island Health’s controversial approach to redesigning nursing care at island hospitals. It is scheduled to be implemented at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals in the New Year. Under CDMR, Island Health would implement a team-based nursing approach between Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Health Care Aids (HCAs), with HCAs playing a significantly larger role in patient care delivery.

According to Island Health, the new model will address strains on the system while increasing the individual care time a patient receives. However, critics argue that the new model is overly focused on cutting costs and will put patients at risk. They argue that nurses will be stretched too thin to provide adequate care to patients, making one RN responsible for up to 10 to 12 patients, and that Health Care Aids do not have the necessary training to safely take on this larger role.

“Health care professionals are raising serious concerns about CDMR, research suggests it could be problematic, and its impact on our health care system could be significant,” says Andrew Weaver. “Yet while Island Health states that CDMR is an evidence-based approach to health care, they have not released their evidence for public scrutiny.”

In response to concerns raised by several constituents, Andrew Weaver met with executives from Island Health, the British Columbia Nurses Union and the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia last week.

“I applaud Island Health’s efforts to find new and innovative ways to more effectively and efficiently meet patients’ care needs. However, major changes like CDMR should be grounded in evidence. It is for this reason that I have written to Dr. Brendan Carr, President and CEO of Island Health, to request the following:

1. That further roll-out of CDMR, including all plans at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, be delayed until comprehensive, independent and publically-available evaluations of CDMR can be completed.
2. That relevant stakeholders, including representatives of BC’s Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, be further involved in the evaluation of current CDMR pilots as well as in the development of future plans involving the realignment of care teams.”

For background on CDMR, please click here.

Media Enquiries please contact:
Mat Wright – Press Secretary – Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
Mobile (1) 250 216 3382