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.”

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

The BC Minister of Transportation today tabled Bill 55: Passenger Transportation Amendment Act, 2018. As noted in the government press release, Bill 55 finally paves the way for ride-hailing companies to operate in British Columbia in 2019.

As readers will know, I have been attempting to bring ridehailing to British Columbia for almost three years. In April 2016,  February 2017 (prior to the provincial election) and October 2017, I introduced Private Member’s bills which would have allowed this to occur. While I am pleased that government has finally brought this enabling legislation forward, there is still work to do to ensure that ridesharing becomes a reality in British Columbia in 2019.

Below I reproduce the media release the BC Green Caucus issued in response to the tabling of this legislation. My colleague Adam Olsen (our transportation critic) will be representing the BC Green Party on the proposed legislative committee.

Media Release

Weaver: Legislation a step forward, but parties will have to work together to make ride-hailing a reality
For immediate release
November 19, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, says the provincial government’s legislation to introduce ride-hailing today is a long overdue step forward on the issue. Weaver says the all-party committee that will advise on regulations is a promising development because parties will have to collaborate to make ride-hailing a reality.

“While it’s a step forward to actually have legislation in front of us, more work needs to be done to ensure British Columbians have access to ride-hailing in 2019,” said Weaver.

“The fact that an issue with such high levels of public demand has taken so long to see progress is a failure of our political system. It’s obvious that neither of the other parties has been able to find the political will to action this issue in a timely manner. The legislative committee is a promising path forward because it will require all parties to share the responsibility of delivering for British Columbians.

“It’s important that the legislation and regulations strike the right balance so that the province meets its responsibility to ensure public safety and a fair playing field for business while also providing British Columbians with access to the full range of modern transportation options. We have questions about the timeline; although it’s encouraging that ride-hailing companies will be able to apply for licenses by Fall 2019, what British Columbians really want to know is when they will be able to access their services.

“At first glance a key difference between what government has put on the table today and the recommendations of the Hara Report is to require driver training and Class 5 licenses rather than Class 4 licenses. Other jurisdictions, such as Quebec, have seen success with driver training as part of their ride-hailing regulation.

“We look forward to discussing all of these issues in the house as well as canvassing some of them specifically in the legislative committee. We will continue do everything we can to deliver ride-hailing for British Columbians in 2019.”

Weaver has introduced legislation to enable ride-hailing three times. The third time, in Fall 2017, resulted in the subject of the bill being referred to an all-party committee, which held public consultations and delivered a report in February 2018.

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

Today I had the distinct honour of laying a wreath at the Oak Bay Cenotaph in commemoration of remembrance day. This year our remembrance is particularly poignant as we mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 and the end of World War One.

Below I reproduce a public statement my office issued on Remembrance Day.

Statement

Andrew Weaver statement on Remembrance Day
For immediate release
November 9th, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Greens, issued the following statement in recognition of Remembrance Day this Sunday:

“On Remembrance Day we take time to honour the sacrifice of those who have served our country. This year our remembrance is particularly poignant as we mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 and the end of World War One.

“We live in an era of deep division and strife, as demonstrated by the racist and anti-Semitic hate crimes we witnessed two weeks ago. We must remain vigilant in denouncing all forms of discrimination and recommit to fostering diversity and peace. These are the values that our veterans, armed forces, merchant marines, and their families, have fought for and continue to fight for. To allow hate to grow in our society is to forsake their sacrifice.

“At 11am on Sunday morning, I encourage you to hold two minutes of silence. Take this time to reflect upon the deep historical and current significance of the day, and to recommit to the values that Canadians hold dear.

“Lest we forget.”

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

Today the BC Government introduced Bill 52: Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, 2018. As noted in the BC Government’s press release, this bill makes three important changes to Agricultural Land Commission Act by:

• “Restoring the integrity of the ALR by reinstating one zone for all ALR land in B.C., making it clear that all land in the ALR benefits from the same strong protections.
• Addressing mega-mansions and speculation in the ALR by limiting new house sizes to less than 500 square metres [about 5,400 square feet], except through application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) in cases where it would support farming; and requiring an ALC approval of any additional residences in the ALR to curb non-farm development.
• Cracking down on the dumping of construction debris, toxic waste and other fill in the ALR that can irreparably damage arable soil on valuable farmland, through increased penalties.”

My colleague Adam Olsen and I issued a press release (reproduced below) in support of the legislation. We’re very pleased that the Minister will be clamping down on the preponderance of “mega mansions” being built on ALR.

Media Release

B.C. Greens welcome government legislation to protect B.C. agriculture
For immediate release
November 5, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader, and Adam Olsen, spokesperson for agriculture for the B.C. Green Party caucus, endorsed the provincial government’s legislation to protect B.C. farmland. The legislation includes two policies, to limit house size on ALR and to return the ALR to a single zone, that Weaver and Olsen have previously called for.

“These measures will strengthen our local food security and improve opportunities for the economic development of our agricultural sector,” said Weaver.

“As the impacts of climate change take hold, B.C.’s agricultural land is increasingly more valuable. The two zone system brought in under the previous government opened up our irreplaceable farmland to development that was completely unrelated to farming. Returning the ALR to a single, dedicated zone will put our province in a far stronger position, both from a security and an economic perspective.”

The return of the ALR to a single zone was part of the B.C. Green Party’s 2017 platform. The B.C. Green MLAs have subsequently called for the province to limit house sizes on ALR in question period over the course of the last year.

“I am very relieved that the government is taking action to stymie speculation on farmland so that it can remain affordable for local farmers,” said Olsen.

“The proliferation of mega-mansions on B.C. farmland has driven up prices at a time when the industry faces a demographic crisis. The cost of farmland is cited as the number one barrier to young farmers hoping to enter the market. Keeping farmland at a price that is competitive for farmers, not real estate speculators, is crucial.”

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

True to form, the BC Liberals once more stood up today and voted against taking big money out of BC Politics. Recall last year they also voted against taking big money out of our provincial election campaigns. This time it was at First Reading of Bill 53: Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 2018. This bill aligns advertising and financing rules for recall campaigns with the Election Act.

I’m not sure what, if anything, the BC Liberals have learned since the last election. British Columbians were well and truly fed up with the “wild west” of BC political financing: Any person, union or corporation anywhere in the world was able to donate any amount of money to any political party any time they wanted.

Bill 53 complements Bill 3: Election Amendment Act, 2017 and Bill 15: Local Elections Campaign Financing Amendment Act, 2017 which were passed last year to ensure provincial, local government and school board elections were free from the influence of big money.

Below I reproduce the press release my office issued on this topic.

Media Release

Weaver: Taking big money out of recall campaigns will strengthen our democracy
For immediate release
October 30, 2018

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, today commended the government’s legislation that would take big money out of recall campaigns. Weaver says the legislation builds on the work the B.C. NDP government and his Caucus are doing to make the B.C. political system more responsive to voters rather than special interests.

“Recall campaigns should be about making politicians accountable to their constituents – not to making them subject to big money-funded hit jobs,” said Weaver.

“These rules will apply to both proponents of recall campaigns and politicians who are attempting to stay in power. This legislation will ensure that a sufficiently motivated electorate is able to recall their elected officials, without risking the process being corroded by the influence of big money. Politicians should be accountable to voters – plain and simple. Unions, corporations and extraordinarily wealthy individuals should not have a disproportionate say in our democracy, whether they support the elected official or the recall effort in any given campaign.

“I am disappointed, although not surprised, that the B.C. Liberals voted against this legislation. This is the same party that refused to act while our province was internationally derided as the “wild west” of political fundraising, only to make a 180 reversal in their summer 2017 throne speech in a desperate attempt to cling onto power. They continue to fail to understand that democracy should reflect the views of citizens as equal members of society, not the ability of special interests to pay more.”

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