VICTORIA, B.C. – Tomorrow, April 22, is Earth Day and the BC Greens are marking it by calling on parents in the B.C. Legislative Assembly to talk to their kids and get real about the work they’re doing to stop global warming.
“MLAs are struggling to give a voice to the environment—to the climate, old growth forests, salmon habitat, and biodiversity. This is essential for our species’ survival, and yet, it’s too often treated as expendable when decisions are made,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky.
“The Heiltsuk have a saying that, ‘We don’t own the land, we just borrow it from our kids.’ So, here’s my challenge to my fellow MLAs this Earth Day: talk to your kids, make it awkward, and get real about what you’re doing to stop global warming.”
A recent poll from ResearchCo. suggests Canadian adults are more likely to change their habits or support climate action after talking about it with their kids. With many MLAs raising families, the BC Greens say Earth Day is a reminder that climate decisions are personal, not abstract.
From our forests to our majestic rivers, the impacts of delay are already being felt across the province. The BC Greens say there’s still time to get it right and are calling on the province to immediately implement the Old Growth Strategic Review and move forward with the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.
“Do you want to tell your kids about the old growth that used to be here,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, “Or do you want to take them on a hike through it?”
Botterell said the choice is still ours, but not if the government continues to delay implementing the Old Growth Strategic Review. Five years on, most recommendations are still not fully in place.
“Do you want to point out where salmon used to run or watch them swim upstream?” said Valeriote. “Instead of our kids asking what we lost, I want them to thank us for what we protected.”
Valeriote added that the BC NDP should be upfront with young people about why key commitments, like the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework, remain unfulfilled.
“I’ve heard every excuse in the book,” said Valeriote. “Now I’d like to see whether a member of the NDP caucus uses that same excuse to explain to their kids whether they did everything they could—or why they didn’t.”
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Media Contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1-250-882-6187 | Ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca