We admire citizen efforts over 20 years to bring the Green Party to the accomplishment of electing three MLAs. We look forward to their contributions as representatives not only for their own constituencies but for the aspirations of the majority of British Columbians concerned about issues ranging from the administration of government to the global environment.
We are proud of the NDP’s record in social justice, human rights, environmental conservation (including the Agricultural Land Reserve of 1973), freedom of information, beginning the process of reconciliation with indigenous people, and bridging urban-rural divides through the CORE and land and resource planning processes of the 1990s.
At least 57 per cent of voters wanted a different government. We agree with the Greens that monolithic rule from the premier’s office is clearly outdated. Both the Legislative Assembly and the Cabinet should much better reflect and represent the wide range of public opinion and citizen aspirations. We should welcome incisive questions by MLAs and citizens and well-researched and wise government policy-making. We should utilize the talents of all MLAs.
There are specific policy ideas where the Green Party and the New Democratic Party share common ground:
• We support electoral reform including some form of proportional representation that will more accurately reflect the views of British Columbians and will encourage more citizens to become engaged with our democracy. The NDP and Green Party agree on this.
• Electoral financing reform to eliminate corporate and union donations to political parties is long overdue. This is also an issue on which the NDP and Green Party agree.
• Because BC is part of a global ecosystem we share the Green Party’s science-based concerns with using Site C power to subsidize LNG exports and with Kinder Morgan expansion.
• Recognizing the experience of Joy MacPhail and Jenny Kwan in 2001-2005, we agree that the Green Party deserves official party status in the Legislative Assembly.
Achieving sustainable rural economies requires settlement of land claims and resolution of the softwood lumber issue, timber supply and utilization, and prudent but assertive re-negotiation of the Columbia River Treaty and enhanced commitment to forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and nature-based tourism.
The best way to promote the above goals is a NDP-Green coalition government — the sooner the better.
Corky Evans (MLA 1991-2001, 2005-2009)
Jim Beattie (MLA 1991-1996)
Tom Perry (MLA 1989-1996)
Joan Sawicki (MLA 1991-2001)
David Zirnhelt (MLA 1989-2001)