Protecting Resources & Our Environment

Our Priceless Natural Treasures

Is British Columbia really the 'Greatest Place on Earth'? Our province is certainly spectacular. But after one hundred years of badly planned developments and reckless resource depletion, BC is by no means the pristine natural paradise it once was. In fact, we're in deep environmental debt. Our fisheries are polluted, more and more of our mountains are stripped bare of their forests, and we must remain constantly vigilant to protect our remaining forests and farmlands from growing urban sprawl. Indeed, we have much work to do before we can truthfully claim to be the 'Greatest Place on Earth'.

To reclaim that title, we must reclaim our natural heritage: Breathtaking wilderness areas; wondrous biodiversity; sparkling clean water; healthy, fertile soils; and pure, clean air. These are the priceless natural treasures that the Green Party is determined to recover and protect. They are for you and me and everyone to enjoy. They are for our children and our grandchildren. And by protecting them, we can reduce our healthcare costs, protect our eco-tourism industry, increase the productive output of our fisheries, and manage our forests to keep sustainable, value-added jobs in BC.

The Green Party will discourage waste and pollution, and encourage efficiency and recycling. We will lead the way in building a prosperous green economy with exciting new green-collar jobs. We will make BC a model for the entire world. And then at last, this province of ours will truly be the 'Greatest Place on Earth' once again.

A Tax Shift to Save Our Planet

Imagine paying lower income taxes. Would you like that? Lower income taxes are part of the Green Party's tax shift plan. We'll shift taxes to give you a break, while increasing taxes on consumers and businesses that pollute.

We'll use a portion of these taxes to build new transportation infrastructure. We'll build pedestrian walkways, bicycle trails, and green public transit. And to slow the rate of climate change, we'll supplement our carbon tax with a progressive global "cap and trade" system. Why are we the only party that supports both a carbon tax and a cap and trade system? Because we're the party that takes climate change seriously.

Food Security For Peace of Mind

Unfortunately, climate change has already gained a momentum of its own, though much of the world still remains in denial. Hence, climate catastrophes of increasing magnitude now appear inevitable. Since these events may cause widespread food crop devastation, we must plan ahead for our own food security. To accomplish that, we must stop favoring corporate farms at the expense of local farmers and food processors. Instead, we must treat our local farmers and processors fairly. Decentralized food regulation, and tax relief for local agriculture, will help us secure an adequate supply of organic food for us all, in good times and bad times alike.

No More Sneaky Back-Room Deals

Why does land use tend to be such a contentious issue? Because poor land use can cause polluted fisheries, depleted community water resources, and destruction of important wildlife habitats. Unfortunately, our present government has weakened local authority over land use decisions. Instead, they have favored the large corporations that want to extract resources against the wishes of local residents. But the Green Party will put an end to this bullying, intimidation, and sneaky backroom dealing.

The BC Greens will restore and enhance public and local government control over the protection and development of our resources. We will establish regional ecological and energy management boards to review development proposals. We will empower local governments to reject any development and resource use that harms the economic, social, or ecological interests of their region. We will strengthen the environmental assessment process to ensure that resource use is sustainable and environmentally benign. And we will repeal the notorious Bill C 30 that has deprived local residents of any meaningful influence over the land use decisions that affect them.

To Protect Our Environment and Resources, Greens Will:

• Support small family farms.
• Combat climate change now.
• Prevent genetic modification of our food supply.
• Promote smaller scale forest tenures such as woodlots and community forests.
• Promote selective logging, and investment in value-added wood industries.
• Eliminate invasive species through job creation in control measures and preventative planning.
• Enshrine the right to water and air quality into our human rights code.
• Move fish farms off wild salmon migration routes and encourage closed containment systems.
• Protect Burns Bog as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Halt provincial Gateway and other expanded pavement and bridge solutions in favor of transit and bicycling infrastructure and compact communities.
• Protect community water supplies from development, and keep water under public control.
• Reform the Agricultural Land Commission and the appointment process to better protect the Agricultural Land Reserve.
• Pass strong Species-at-Risk legislation.
• Minimize the environmental impact of mineral, oil, and gas extraction.
• Strengthen Environmental Assessments and Standards, and reform the appointment process.