First day of B.C. Government fall session draws demands for climate action by Indigenous and environmental groups

VICTORIA | UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE lək̓ʷəŋən PEOPLES –  On the first day of the fall session of the B.C. Government, Indigenous and environmental leaders hosted a press conference calling on Premiere Eby and his government to recommit to climate leadership. A 17ft inflatable Eby was displayed on the lawn of the legislature.

Addressing the Eby government:

“With the Legislative Assembly returning, the government of B.C. has a choice to make. Will they stand with future generations, or with the short-term profits of the fossil fuel industry? This summer was deeply worrying, as we saw less resources for climate action, and more approvals for massive new fossil fuel infrastructure that locks us into decades of increased emissions. You cannot put out a fire by pouring gasoline on it. As this new session begins, we demand a genuine recommitment to climate action that respects First Nations title and rights and the rights of all our grandchildren to a livable planet. This means halting the expansion of fossil fuels and committing to a just transition that leaves no one behind. First Nations and other communities on the front lines of devastating climate impacts will not stand for empty rhetoric. The people of this province demand courageous action.”

• Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President

“Despite what Premier Eby, and his (Non) Democratic Party says, we are Real People! And as Real Peoples, our voices must be listened to in a Real Democracy. Continuing to ignore science, medical experts, and the public as a whole, while supporting projects that are destroying our environment and our quality of life, is not what democratic institutions should be doing. Listening and supporting the public — not industries owned by foreign governments — is what a proper and truthful government and its representatives must do!”

• Hereditary Chief Na’Moks, Wet’suwet’en First Nation

“Now that cabinet is back in session, Premier Eby is being reminded that NO still means NO. Fast tracking reverse reconciliation is nothing new to this government, even from an economic perspective the LNG fossil gas investment is inflated at public expense to benefit foreign ownership!”

• Gwii Lok’im Gibuu (Jesse Stoepler), Co-Executive Director for Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition & Deputy Chief, Hagwilget First Nation

“Cities see the cost of climate inaction rising every year. We need to see every level of government pull together to show leadership and ambition to protect all our communities from the impacts of climate change and invest in the transition. The future of our municipal communities depends on what government will do today.”

• Susan Kim, Community Leader, City of Victoria

“As the fall session of government begins today, we are standing at a critical juncture for climate action in British Columbia. In the coming weeks, the B.C. government will release its CleanBC review report. This is supposed to be an honest assessment of whether we are on track to meet our climate targets. We already know the answer: we are not.  But this report must be more than just another update. It must be a wake-up call — a moment of reckoning. Today, we are calling on the B.C. government to find the political courage to recommit to real climate leadership.”

• Kiki Wood, Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner for Stand.earth

“With the start of the fall session of legislature and the review of CleanBC, Premier Eby has a choice: keep fueling the climate crisis or actually fight it. While families are struggling to breathe through wildfire smoke and to keep up with rent and groceries, this government is handing billions to fossil fuel corporations. It’s time to stop bankrolling polluters and start investing in people — in affordable housing, renewable energy, healthcare, and a thriving future. Every dollar poured into LNG takes us further from our climate goals and deeper into dependence on a dying industry.”

• Isabel Siu-Zmuidzinas, Climate Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee

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Contact

Kiki Wood, Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner – Stand.earth +1 604-367-1865, kiki@stand.earth (Pacific Time)

Arin de Hoog, Communications, Oil, Gas and Shipping – Stand.earth. +1 613-978-7329

arin.dehoog@stand.earth (Eastern Time)

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President

250-490-5314