VICTORIA, B.C. – Today, Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, tabled the Business Practices and Consumer Protection (Greenwashing Prevention) Amendment Act, which is intended to prevent climate-polluting companies from greenwashing their products and misleading the public.
If passed, the bill would prohibit businesses from making misleading claims about the greenhouse gas emissions tied to their operations. It would also crack down on unsubstantiated claims about climate action, by requiring companies to publicly disclose evidence supporting any sustainability statements.
“Greenwashing isn’t harmless—it’s dangerous. Fossil fuel advertising hides well-documented health risks. Children in homes with a gas stove are 42% at risk of asthma, and communities near extraction sites, such as Kitimat, may experience increased health risks, such as lung disease, cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Fossil fuel advertising isn’t honest about these facts, and it fails to inform people of the health risks associated with these products,” said Valeriote.
Canada has already faced this kind of deception before with tobacco and prescription opioids. When tobacco advertising was restricted, its use went down, and companies were ultimately held financially responsible. In March, Canada approved a historic $32.5-billion tobacco settlement. The BC Greens demand fossil fuel companies to be held to the same standard and accountability.
“Massive corporate budgets are being spent to distort the truth, deceive consumers, and normalize an industry that is heating the planet, polluting our air, and jeopardizing our future. Just as tobacco advertising was banned because of its impact on human health, the same needs to be done with fossil fuel advertising.”
This bill comes at a time when, across Canada, hard-won protections against deceptive environmental claims are likely to be rolled back by the federal government—despite overwhelming support from Canadians who supported anti-greenwashing legislation in advertising.
““Tabling this legislation is about taking back the narrative. In B.C., we see greenwashing in the House itself—through the promotion of LNG, promoting net-zero plans while failing to provide a pathway to get there, carbon capture promises that don’t add up, and a government far too comfortable repeating industry talking points,” added Valeriote. “We need a government that puts the health of British Columbians first.”
The BC Greens are urging this government to get real about the effects of fossil fuel extraction. “This bill is intended to keep advertisers honest, but in tabling it, we hope it keeps our politicians honest, too.”
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Media Contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca