The BC Greens call on the BC NDP to withdraw Bill 9 or amend it to remove any provisions that reduce openness, and to implement the recommendations of the all-party 2022 Special Committee report.
The amount of information you receive shouldn't depend on who you are or why you want the information.
Freedom of information is the cornerstone of open and accountable democratic government. Journalists, Citizens, Legislators, Non-government organizations -- all rely on it.
Piece by piece, the system has been dismantled—and Bill 9 continues that trend.
It degrades freedom of information under the guise of administrative convenience, making the government both judge and juror over what the public can access. The culture of openness promised in 1992 has been broken.
In 1991, I led the team that drafted BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation for the BC NDP government of the day.
The FOI Act was hailed as the most open, balanced, and effective information rights legislation in Canada.
British Columbia’s Freedom of Information system was once considered one of the strongest in the world. It was built on a simple democratic principle: government information belongs to the public.
Amendments in Bill 9 eviscerate freedom of information in BC. Access delayed is access denied.
#bcpoli
BC Green MLA Botterell asks the BC NDP if they will fulfill their promise to protect 30% of BC's land & water by 2030.
#30x30 #bcpoli #bcbiodiversity
Questions include:
-What work is Gov doing to dispel misinformation & facilite public education re: Cowichan Tribes decision, Gitxaala ruling, and DRIPA?
-Dock Management in Gulf Islands
- Joffre Lakes Park misinformation and First Nations support
ICYMI
We've put the full hour of MLA Botterell questioning the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation on our YouTube channel.
#bcpoli
youtu.be/fqpOzq-lh9Q
File this under #GreensDoingTheWork:
MLA Valeriote introduces an amenment to Bill 3 "to put some boundaries on what this investment fund can be used for." Especially to make sure that it conforms with BC's obligations under the Climate Change Accountability Act.
youtu.be/EUk6Lm4LdzM
MLA Botterell is up in Budget Estimates for the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation for the next hour!
Tune in here from about 4:45pm - 5:45pm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVHj...
#bcpoli
"B.C. Greens MLA Rob Botterell called the Conservatives’ critique 'irresponsible political theatre,' saying it is unfortunate the agreement was made public in this way, adding that the Musqueam have been clear that they are not trying to take people’s private property away."
#bcpoli
Does BC's Minister of State for AI have a plan?
We've seen the BC NDP's interest in profiting from the AI boom, but what about regulations that protect the public.
Today in Question Period, MLA Valeriote asked for the Minister's plan for artificial intelligence. We weren't reassured.
#bcpoli
My statement in the BC Legislature on the attack in Iran, death and disruption throughout the Middle East, and the fear and anxiety it's causing around the world and here in BC.
youtu.be/Ypfjh9VbIts
#bcpoli
Pleased to see the broad scope of the Coroner's Inquest into events at Tumbler Ridge, in line with our call from Feb. 27.
British Columbians deserve a thorough examination of the contributing factors, and evidence-based recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
#bcpoli
Vancouver General Hospital was given 24 hours notice that Obstetrical care for pregnant patients will be diverted elsewhere.
Diversion can be a matter of life or death. The Ministry of Health is adding pressure to surrounding hospitals, who are already over capacity.
#bcpoli
OpenAI must be part of a fulsome review that respects any criminal investigation and looks across the full scope of what happened on February 10.
We need our governments to act on systemic issues, including any related to a lack of access to mental health supports.
#bcpoli #tumblerridge
This is not about assigning blame. It's about understanding the full spectrum of factors that led to such a devastating event and developing meaningful recommendations to prevent it from happening again. Mental health supports, policing responses, health & housing, firearms access, AI and more.
At the start of this crisis, we said every drug death is a policy failure. A decade in, we must change our language. Every drug death in BC is a policy choice.
#bcpoli
The only solution to an increasingly poisoned and chaotic supply, is a regulated alternative.
#bcpoli
Jan. 21 was the highest single day record for drug-poisoning calls in BC’s history, and April will mark 10 years of this public health emergency.
Despite report after report describing evidence-based solutions to this crisis, this government fails to listen and respond like it is an emergency.
Over the past 20 years we’ve seen the unregulated drug supply become more toxic, chaotic, and deadly.
In November, we saw the sharp rise of medetomidine in the unregulated opiate supply. It is one of many substances that can complicate overdose reversals.
#bcpoli
Today BC Green MLA Botterell asked the Minister of Forests to protect BC's last remaining old growth.
It was disappointing to hear the Minister blame CARGA for his government's 5 years of neglect of the Old Growth Strategic Review. His majority government has the power to act.
#bcpoli
I also urge VIHA and the Ministry of Health to assure the community that any patients affected by the March 31, 2026, closure of the Saanich Peninsula Outreach Team (SPOT) at the Peninsula Health Unit will not be abandoned.
I want to thank VIHA and the Ministry of Health for acknowledging the needs of the thousands of constituents in Saanich North and the Islands who do not currently have access to a family doctor, by extending the hours of operation at the Peninsula clinic.
#bcpoli #saanichpeninsula
Photo of solar panels on an apartment balcony, with text over top. Balcony Solar What if you could put a solar panel on the balcony of your apartment, plug it into your wall outlet, and lower your electricity bill? Balcony solar may soon be a lot easier in BC
What if you could put a solar panel on the balcony of your apartment, plug it into your wall outlet, and lower your electricity bill?
Balcony solar may soon be a lot easier in BC.
#bcpoli
There's a Private Members Bill before the BC Legislature today, addressing highway safety and reckless driving.
BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote spoke at 2nd Reading, referencing safety & enforcement issues on the Sea to Sky Highway (and the need for public transit).
#bcpoli
youtu.be/A93cgUq3BLE
At a time of urgent housing need, this abandons promised projects and puts more pressure on those who can least afford it.
Half-built projects are losing funding, and millions in planned investment are evaporating.
#bcpoli
Frustrating, inconsistent, opaque.This devastating decision will have long-term impacts on those most vulnerable in our affordability crisis.
It sends a chill through the non-market housing sector, leaving municipalities and non-profits in limbo.
#bcpoli
Question Period Day 2:
MLA Valeriote calls for a comprehensive study on the health impacts of LNG flaring, after months of harmful emissions in Kitimat (and with the Squamish LNG facility coming online soon).
#bcpoli
youtu.be/h8BDiluLZhU
Ramadan Mubarak! Gung hay fat choy! And Happy Pancake Day!
