VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Green Caucus applauds this government for recognizing the urgent challenges facing British Columbians. However, recognition alone is not enough. This was the moment to build a strong foundation, not just react to tariff threats.
B.C. has been facing multiple, overlapping crises for years – housing affordability, access to healthcare, climate change, illicit-toxic drugs, and economic uncertainty – long before U.S. tariff threats surfaced. Yet this government remains stuck in a reactive cycle rather than pursuing a forward-thinking strategy.
“It’s easy to employ wartime analogies in face of a fresh, headline-grabbing crisis, but a government with a real vision for the future needs to be laser focused on delivering results to all the longstanding crises British Columbians are facing,” said Jeremy Valeriote, Interim Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. “We are in this situation because we didn’t look far enough ahead, so we need a plan that delivers long-term stability and security for British Columbians, and it must benefit people first rather than corporations.
“For too long, reactive decisions have left B.C. vulnerable to global shocks like volatile markets and looming U.S. tariffs. Instead of scrambling to respond, we must build a diverse, innovative, and sustainable economy that centers community well-being, poverty reduction, and climate action.
“The U.S. administration’s protectionist policies pose challenges for B.C.’s economy, but we cannot let them overshadow the progress we’ve made in protecting our environment, strengthening our institutions, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This is not the time to lean into populism, it is a time for vision, action, and bold investment in a clean, green future.”
Through the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA), the BC Greens will work to establish community health centres, expand mental health coverage, build non-market housing, enhance renter support programs, expand public transit and advance environmental initiatives for future generations.
“We remain committed to being a constructive opposition party that contributes smart, actionable ideas through our agreement, and will relentlessly push the government if it falls short on delivering the tangible results British Columbians deserve. It’s time to stop treading water. We need to move beyond reactive leadership, towards a vision for our province that builds a more secure future for us all,” said Valeriote.
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | jojo.beattie@leg.bc.ca
