Líl̓wat [LIL’WAT] and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh [SQUAMISH] TERRITORY / WHISTLER, B.C. — BC Green candidate for West Vancouver-Sea-Sky Jeremy Valeriote announced the BC Greens’ plan to grow tourism in ways that leave communities stronger, keep more economic benefits local, and protect the natural and cultural assets that draw people to British Columbia.
“People come to British Columbia for our mountains and coastlines, forests and wildlife, communities and cultures, and the recreation opportunities like we have in West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky,” said Valeriote. “You can’t move a coastline or copy a mountain range. Tourism lets our communities build prosperity that lasts, without destroying the places it depends on. Our job is to protect the workers, businesses, and landscapes that make it possible.”
“That’s why the BC Greens will keep our parks maintained, year round, and create an Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund to build and improve trails, campsites, and other tourism draws across B.C., working with First Nations, communities and local organizations.”
“We need to increase opportunities for British Columbians and tourists alike to visit communities like this one. This riding is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Canada, but for too many, it’s inaccessible. That’s why the BC Greens will make it easier to explore B.C. by making the Sea-to-Sky an early priority for new regional bus and passenger rail connections, while developing similar links across B.C.”
“This tourism plan puts B.C.’s economy, its workers, and its communities first, while expanding this critical sector to ensure our province can continue to welcome tens of millions of tourists every year.”
The BC Greens will:
- Increase annual funding for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC by 50 per cent, from $76 million to $114 million, to expand year-round access, improve maintenance and visitor services, and better manage growing use.
- Create a $30 million annual Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund for five years to build and improve trails, campsites, day-use areas and other public recreation infrastructure across BC, working with First Nations, communities and local recreation organizations.
- Create dedicated funding for workforce housing in tourism-dependent communities, supporting local governments and First Nations to secure land, service sites and build housing for year-round and seasonal workers.
Click here to read our Tourism Policy Brief.
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Media contact
Prym Goodacre, Media & Campaigns Officer
+778 650 0597
newsroom@bcgreens.ca