Adam Olsen, Sonia Furstenau and I returned today from the B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. We are very grateful to Scott Fraser, the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation who extended an invitation to our BC Liberal colleagues and us to participate in this year’s event. Historically, the government has not opened this conference up to opposition MLAs. Minister Fraser clearly recognized that Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation should not be considered a partisan issue and so publicly welcomed us to the event. For this both he and Premier John Horgan deserve a lot of credit.

Adam, Sonia and I had numerous meetings with First Nation Leaders and will be following up with a number of them in the weeks ahead. At the end of the conference, we released a statement which I reproduce below.

Media Statement

Weaver and Olsen statements on First Nations Leadership Gathering
For immediate release
September 7, 2017

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Andrew Weaver and Adam Olsen released the following statement today on the First Nations Leadership Gathering. Weaver, Olsen and Sonia Furstenau attended the two-day gathering in Vancouver.

“It was an honour to attend this year’s First Nations Leadership Gathering,” said Weaver.

“We are proud that the adoption of UNDRIP, the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Tsilhqot’in Decision are foundational pieces of our agreement with the B.C. NDP and we remain committed to supporting their implementation.”

Yesterday, Olsen was appointed spokesperson for the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

“From our meetings this week it is clear that there is frustration with the status quo, but also a sense of hope that there is much opportunity to renew government’s relationship with First Nations people in British Columbia,” added Olsen.

“The conversations had this week and the MOU signed on the B.C. Indigenous Justice Strategy are good first steps. However, there remains much work to do. It is imperative that renewing this relationship be an underpinning of all we do so that we can ensure the economic, environmental and social prosperity of our province.”

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

Today we issued a statement calling for an independent inquiry into the management and construction of the Port Mann bridge. This was done in response to an investigative CBC report that appeared this morning.

Below I reproduce the statement.

Media Statement

B.C. Greens call for independent inquiry into Port Mann bridge management
For immediate release
September 7, 2017

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Andrew Weaver and Adam Olsen today called for an independent review of the Port Mann bridge spending in response to news that a CBC investigation uncovered allegations of at least $150 million in misspent funds.

“The allegations that at least $150 million of taxpayer money has been misspent by the Liberal government on this project are deeply troubling,” Weaver said.

“British Columbians deserve answers. A public inquiry into the management of this project must be conducted to determine whether taxpayer interests have been adequately protected.”

Yesterday, Olsen was appointed the B.C. Green caucus spokesperson for transportation.

“It is essential that major capital projects are providing the best value for money for British Columbians,” continued Olsen.

“Taxpayers deserve to know whether their money is being well managed. The allegations published today raise serious questions as to whether this was the case with the Port Mann bridge. We must ensure accountability and transparency so that transportation is managed in the most efficient means possible.”

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

B.C. Green statement on government’s decision to order review of the George Massey Tunnel replacement options
For immediate release
September 6, 2017

VICTORIA, BC – Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, and Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, issued the following statement today in response to the government’s announcement that it will conduct and independent review of options for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel.

“I am glad that the government will review the options for this project,” said MLA Weaver. “In our Confidence and Supply Agreement, we agreed that transit and transportation infrastructure must be developed in cooperation with the Mayors’ Council in a way that reduces emissions, creates jobs and gets people home faster.”

MLA Olsen added, “This project is not part of the Mayor’s Council 10 year plan for regional transportation. It is essential that such costly and major projects be planned in an integrated fashion in cooperation with municipal officials so that we can meet the transportation needs of British Columbians in the most efficient and cost-effective way.”

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

B.C. Green caucus announces official spokesperson roles
For immediate release
September 6, 2017

VICTORIA, BC – The B.C Green caucus today announced its new spokesperson roles for the upcoming session. This marks the first time the caucus has established official spokesperson roles after its historic election in May, when the party tripled its seats from 1 to 3 and doubled its popular vote count.

“I am delighted to announce – for the first time – the spokesperson roles of the B.C. Green caucus,” said Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Greens.

“B.C. faces a wide range of challenges and opportunities that require bold, innovative policies to ensure our long-term prosperity. In the 2017 campaign, the B.C. Greens ran on a comprehensive platform based on a clear vision for the future of British Columbia: one where the first priority of government is to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people it serves, where we build a strong, diverse economy that will thrive for generations to come, and where citizens trust their government to put their interests first. Our spokesperson roles reflect that vision and so will our work as MLAs.”

The caucus spokesperson roles will be divided as follows:

Ensuring the health and well being of British Columbians: Sonia Furstenau

Key issues that the Greens will advance towards this goal are healthy lives and lifelong learning – recognizing that education is a lifelong process that includes early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary and skills upgrading. In addition, Furstenau will be responsible for electoral reform.

Relevant ministries: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (professional reliance), Attorney General (electoral reform), Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources (water protection), and Ministry of Children & Family Development.

Furstenau will also serve as house leader.

Building a sustainable economy: Andrew Weaver

Key issues the Greens will advance towards this goal are building the green economy, income security (basic income), sustainable enterprise and climate action.

Relevant ministries: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (climate change), Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, and Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

Strengthening trust in government: Adam Olsen

Key issues the Greens will advance towards this goal are ensuring the adoption of UNDRIP and the TRC recommendations and government accountability and transparency. Additionally, Olsen will be responsible for affordable housing.

Relevant ministries: Attorney General (lobbying and electoral finance reform), Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Citizens Services, Ministry of Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Olsen will also serve as party whip.

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

I issued a statement today (reproduced below) on the BC Government’s announcement that ICBC rates would increase by about 8% for the average BC driver.

It is essential that we not take any options that would reduce rates off the table. The current system is overly litigious and adversarial. Payouts for minor bodily injuries have increased 365% since 2000. Every other public insurance system in Canada either limits certain types of claims or operates as a no-fault model. Option 4 in the Ernst and Young report projected that such a system would reduce vehicle premiums by $630, or 13.5%, by 2019.

Why are we fixated on talking about what we can do to mitigate rate INCREASES instead of focusing on how we can promote rate DECREASES?

Media Statement

Weaver statement on ICBC rate increases and audit
For immediate release
September 5, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green caucus, responded to the announcement that the government will raise ICBC rates, turn on red light cameras and conduct a business audit of the Crown Corporation

“We already have an evidence-based, taxpayer-funded report with proposals for reforms,” Weaver said.

“While I am glad that the government has adopted the Ernst and Young report’s recommendation to turn on red light cameras, with ICBC in such a perilous financial situation, the time to implement changes is now.

“Furthermore, it is essential that we not take any options that would reduce rates off the table. The current system is overly litigious and adversarial. Payouts for minor bodily injuries have increased 365% since 2000. Every other public insurance system in Canada either limits certain types of claims or operates as a no-fault model. Option 4 in the Ernst and Young report projected that such a system would reduce vehicle premiums by $630, or 13.5%, by 2019.

“I concur with the Attorney General’s statement that ICBC’s abysmal financial standing is due to the unwillingness of the previous government to make tough choices. With this new government, there is an opportunity to do things differently. As the business audit of ICBC proceeds, the B.C. Green caucus will advocate for bold, evidence-based solutions that will ensure the best possible outcome for B.C. ratepayers.”

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