It’s not just recent court decisions that this government has bungled. The roll-out for changes to the Heritage Conservation Act, the Land Act, even private docks on the Gulf Islands – all have been poorly communicated.
In this moment of increased tension, gov should bring our Province together.
We’ve seen the government communications machine step up before. When misinformation about wildfires began causing widespread harm, this government devoted extra resources to social media myth-busting.
Why isn't the government communications machine defending Indigenous rights?
Last year, BC’s Human Rights Commissioner reported a dramatic rise in online racial slurs and threats directed at Indigenous people.
Since the Cowichan and Gitxaala court decisions, scare mongering has proliferated. Indigenous people are being harassed and some fear for their safety.
Today in Question Period, MLA @robbotterell.bsky.social asked what the government is doing to protect the safety of Indigenous people.
It's not enough to condemn the false rhetoric that First Nations are coming for private homes. We need strong provincial leadership and concrete action.
#bcpoli
B.C.’s Freedom of Information law was once considered one of the most open in Canada. But proposed changes in Bill 9 are raising alarms about transparency and government accountability.
We talk to @robbotterell.bsky.social who helped draft the original law in 1991: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
In 1991, BC Green MLA @robbotterell.bsky.social led the team that drafted BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation for the BC NDP government of the day.
A new bill seeks to weaken the FOI Act, and we're calling on the BC NDP to withdraw.
#bcpoli
Of note: The BC NDP say they've protected 19.7%, but that includes OECMs, which don't fully protect ecosystems from industrial development and resource extraction. Environmental groups put BC's protected lands at 15.6%, with 4 years left to get to 30%.
It's in the video! And here's a screenshot of the transcript.
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
We look to Federal leaders to support the people of Iran to form a government of their own making, in their own way. To do all that they can to stop the bloodshed that we have seen for too long in this part of the world.
Daste shoma dard nakoneh , peace be with you.
The regime led by Ali Khamenei was responsible for sweeping mass arrests, torture, and repression. We celebrate the freedom that Iranians in British Columbia and across the world are feeling today.
And yet, we know that this is an illegal attack under international law, led by the USA President.
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
this is wild — as @andreawoo.bsky.social has reported, B.C. has a critical shortage of OB-GYNs that has led to diversions in rural areas for many months. that the largest hospital in the largest city of the province has no O.B. on call is a massive failure. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
VGH forecasted this diversion of care 15 months ago.
Why didn't the Ministry of Health resolve the issue in time, and why were vulnerable pregnant patients and frontline clinicians given just 24 hours’ notice?
#bchealth
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.
BC Green MLAs Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, and Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky, are voicing their support for a public inquiry into the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge that examines the full spectrum of failures that contributed to it.
#bcpoli
"Botterell also supports the call. 'This is about looking at the whole spectrum of factors that led to that horrible event and tragedy,' said Botterell. He said a public inquiry should examine issues ranging from policing and firearms to health, housing, and technology like AI."
#bcpoli
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.
