BC NDP convention peacefully disrupted on behalf of a trashed climate

UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE lək̓ʷəŋən PEOPLES | VICTORIA  – Last night climate activists disrupted B.C. Premier’s fundraiser during the NDP convention by calling out Eby for his  support of LNG expansion, despite the International Energy Agency’s projected global supply glut. An Eby impersonator confronted the Premier saying “I’m David Eby, but fossil fuel companies call me Oprah, because you get a subsidy, you get a subsidy, and you get a subsidy!” while showering the NDP leader with prop money symbolizing the millions of dollars the NDP government has given to LNG Canada and other LNG export projects despite their climate impact and dwindling contribution to provincial revenues.

Environmental advocates continued to peacefully protest during speeches by other party leaders, urging the NDP to put people over profits and end financial support for the LNG industry – much of which is owned by MAGA financial backers and constructed overseas.

Speaking from the fundraiser, Isabel Siu-Zmuidzinas, Climate Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee, said:

“Tonight’s disruption was simple: if Premier Eby won’t listen to the hundreds of people writing and calling on him to end LNG expansion, we’ll bring the message inside. While he courts donors over drinks, the people of B.C. are being served nothing but the bill of this LNG agenda that largely benefits foreign investors and billionaires. It’s long past time our Premier stopped funding fossil fuel fantasies and started investing in housing, health care and real solutions for people actually in this province.”

Earlier in the day, activists from Stand.earth, Wilderness Committee, and Sierra Club, alongside concerned B.C. residents, gathered outside the convention center in a peaceful protest. The  groups were carrying banners which said “PEOPLE over LNG POLLUTION” and “PROTECT OLD GROWTH” drawing attention to backsliding on environmental protections in the province and an increase in government subsidies for extractive industries despite a record deficit.

Speaking from the Convention, Kiki Wood, Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner with Stand.earth, said:

“People living in B.C. are feeling the climate crisis – the increasing wildfires, the deadly droughts – knocking on their door. The current government is throwing our doors wide open to climate impacts by continuing to back polluters instead of the people. The BC NDP needs to stop gutting climate policy to fast-track more resource extraction megaprojects that will only hurt communities. In the midst of this crisis there’s an opportunity to invest in a regenerative economy that upholds Indigenous rights and invests in community infrastructure, social programs and environmental safeguards.”

See the story of LNG in Canada and the US here.

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Event photos: This folder contains images from the event

Debunked myths, including that LNG is a bridge fuel, can be seen here.

More information about LNG expansion in BC and Beyond can be found here

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)