PLATFORM
The full Green Party of British Columbia platform can be found at bcgreens.ca
The BC Greens are guided by six founding principles. All our policies are developed with these principles as a focusing lens.
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Ecological Wisdom
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Sustainability
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Respect for Diversity
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Social Justice
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Participatory Democracy
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Nonviolence
Putting People First
Most British Columbians want to enjoy healthy, safe lives and a good standard of living, surrounded by the rich, natural beauty of our province. We want to give our children and grandchildren the same opportunity. We want a future we can believe in. We want to sustain our environment, our economy, and our communities.
People
Canada is still navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our physical and mental health. The pandemic has strained our relationships with friends and family, and worsened our opioid epidemic. We need a healthy and just recovery that prioritizes people over corporations. We need real action on social, racial, and environmental justice.
Planet
The planet has suffered from uncontrolled extraction and exploitation for the past century and needs to rebuild its life-supporting ecosystems. We should not continue to subsidize the profitable fossil fuel industry (70% increase under NDP) while ignoring the needs of our planet and people. We must transition to a green and equitable future where we tackle the climate crisis at the scale science and communities require.
Economy
The global pandemic has damaged our economy and exacerbated pre-existing issues. Our economic systems have prioritized the wealthy (Canada’s top billionaires received $37B during COVID-19), while failing to cater to even the most basic human rights of housing and meaningful work for the poor and marginalized. Our economy needs a healthy recovery and a new normal.
Support for People
A Just Transition to a Green Future
The Just Transition to an ecologically sustainable future need not disrupt the livelihoods of those in extraction industries. We must fund and aid these transitions in a manner that is just and equitable to power our future economy. We must set up funds for skills development, re-training, and early retirement. We must guarantee jobs for those working in carbon-intensive industries.
Invest in People, not corporations
The pandemic has brought to light the pre-existing inequalities in our societal structures. We must include basic universal income in a post-pandemic world to assure that we all have a chance to a decent life. We must work towards solving the opioid crisis and homelessness. We must also invest in affordable childcare, post-secondary education, and improved healthcare coverage.
Teachers and Service Workers
Teachers, through education, are the foundation of our future. They deserve our full support to continue working under new and difficult conditions during, and after, this pandemic. Essential workers have been the backbone of our economy, and COVID-19 has made them shoulder a majority of risk while leaving them underpaid and under-supported. We must continue to support their health and well-being.
Support for the Planet
End Fossil Fuel Subsidy
Our economy should prioritize local clean energy investments over corporate profits to weather the shocks that come from global emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing ecological disasters. Instead of continuing to subsidize carbon intensive industries we should fund local energy efficiency, clean technology, and a Just Transition.
Protect Old Growth Forests
British Columbia has some of the world’s last remaining temperate forests, and we must strive to protect these beautiful ecosystems. We must uphold Indigenous rights and sovereignty with free, prior, and informed consent for all projects. We must also issue an indefinite moratorium on old growth logging.
Climate as a Basis for All Decisions
Given the urgency of the climate crisis, we must implement a climate lens (impact) for every government budget, infrastructure investment, and policy decisions. We must oppose the expansion of fracking and other carbon-intensive projects, including the Trans-Mountain Pipeline in every capacity possible.
Re-Investing in the Local Economy
Invest in local Businesses
BC is well-placed to be a hub for high-tech careers like software development, research, engineering, film and more. We need to support local innovators with big ideas, by making funding pathways available and encouraging business models like cooperatives that put local workers first. We must also invest in BC owned businesses, especially clean energy projects.
Build Resilience
Our economy should prioritize local solutions to our needs, and the local jobs that come with them. Our local economy needs to be able to weather the shocks that come from global emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing ecological disasters. We should be 'premptive' not 'reactive' - learn lessons from today and be a step ahead for issues that may arise tomorrow.
Affordable Housing
The growing housing crisis in Vancouver is pushing people out of communities they grew up in. It makes it hard for small families and individuals to live and work within the community. We need to re-imagine the land and housing systems, so it is liveable rather than just a ‘good investment’. Everyone deserves access to affordable housing.
