Earlier this month, the BC Green Party anounced its caucus had entered a four-year agreement with the BC New Democratic Government.
The deal, which was signed Dec. 12, can be reviewed annually.
This agreement secures Green support for the NDP on big-ticket items—confidence and supply—in exchange for advancing Green initiatives on health care, housing, renter support, homelessness, transit, climate, forestry, tax and legislative reform.
“We are glad to have reached an agreement that champions Green initiatives," said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, in a news release.
"We’ve witnessed how unchecked inequality and polarization erode trust in government, and this is our chance to rebuild faith in our public institutions by delivering for everyone, especially those British Columbians who’ve been left behind.”
What does Squamish get from this deal?
Sea to Sky regional transit is the biggest thing Squamish looks to get out of the deal.
On transit, the agreement states: "Government will commit, in collaboration with [the BC Green Party Caucus], to implement frequent, reliable, affordable regional transit on key inter-regional routes on Vancouver Island, along Highway 16, and along Highway 1, with a focus on Sea to Sky Corridor transit in 2025."
Asked for more details on if this means buses will be rolling by this time next year Valeriote told The Squamish Chief that is the idea.
"There are many details still to be determined. However, a lot of planning work has been completed by local governments and First Nations, so I expect that regional transit can be implemented in 2025," he said in an emailed exchange with The Squamish Chief.
"It is one of the intentions of the agreement that accountability for outcomes is built into continued support from the BC Greens, and this is one example where I will be pushing hard for fast implementation—Sea to Sky residents have waited long enough for transit service!"
‘Tremendously disappointing’
What isn't in the agreement is any mention of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or more specifically, Woodfibre LNG.
Movement on this was something Valeriote touted as separating him from other candidates throughout the campaign.
On this, Valeriote acknowledged his two-MLA Green Party couldn't get traction.
"This is an area where our BC Green caucus was not able to budge the government," he said. "This is tremendously disappointing to me, but we did not have the negotiating leverage to get Woodfibre cancelled, and LNG is deeply entrenched in the government’s plans. However, there is still the possibility that updates to CleanBC regulations and/or global gas market conditions serve to bring an end to this misguided project or future LNG export projects that will contribute to destructive climate impacts," he added.
"The Greens being at the table to update and set a new direction for CleanBC is a major win for the climate and environment, and we will absolutely continue to hold the NDP government accountable on fossil fuel development and meeting our emissions targets."
‘Not surprising’
In a release after Valeriote’s win, members of the environmental group My Sea to Sky congratulated themselves on making Woodfibre LNG an election issue.
"My Sea to Sky has made Woodfibre LNG an election issue at the local, provincial, and federal level for nearly eleven years now," said the organization’s executive director, Tracey Saxby, in a post on the My Sea to Sky website on Oct. 24.
"After nearly electing a BC Green to the West Vancouver Sea to Sky riding in 2020, this election, we have finally made history as Jeremy Valeriote becomes the first BC Green elected to the mainland. This sends a clear message about the increasing opposition to Woodfibre LNG, as the BC Greens are the only party opposed to fracking and LNG export projects.
“Thank you to everyone that voted, and helped to get out the vote."
Asked about how the organization views the inability to get the LNG issue into the agreement, Saxby said that My Sea to Sky has successfully made Woodfibre LNG an election issue for every local, provincial, and federal election since 2014.
“The BC Greens are the only party opposed to fracking and LNG export projects, so it’s not surprising that they were unable to reach an agreement with the BC NDP on this issue,” she said, in an email to The Squamish Chief.
“We’re excited to see the commitments to regional transit, climate action—including funding for heat pumps—forests, and water management for the first year of this agreement,” she added.
“The review of CleanBC will also provide another opportunity for the BC Greens to call to cancel the permits for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC’s fracked gas pipeline, both of which have now received several warnings from regulators for violating the conditions of their permits. The continued expansion of new fossil fuel infrastructure like Woodfibre LNG will make it impossible for B.C. to meet its climate targets once these projects are operational.”
Saxby said My Sea to Sky will continue to hold “Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC accountable and raise awareness about how these fossil fuel projects are harming our climate, health, safety, and environment, and worsening the cost-of-living crisis when so many British Columbians are already struggling to make ends meet.”
She said the organization reiterates its call on the government to cancel the permits for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC’s “high-pressure fracked gas pipeline.”
‘We chose to find common ground’
Ultimately, Valeriote pointed to the addition of the Greens and what they were able to get in the deal with the NDP as positive.
From the agreement, he highlighted "built-in transparency and quarterly progress reporting on specific deliverables, community health centres and integrating mental health into our health care system, permanently protecting Fairy Creek and continuing the conversation on electoral reform."
He also stressed the common ground the agreement speaks to.
"In a time of deep division and polarization, we chose to find common ground and focus on what really matters, addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, the climate crisis, and making B.C. a better place for everyone," he said.
"With the NDP holding a majority, they didn’t need to work with us, but we worked hard to secure a deal that prioritizes real solutions people need right now,” he said.
The agreement will deliver immediate relief, he added, including mental health care covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP), increases to Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Rental Assistance Program (RAP), more affordable homes protected under the Rental Protection Fund, and action on homelessness with the village model.
"What we’ve secured for 2025 in budget terms is $298 million, just 0.3% of the 2024 budget. This is real progress, but it’s just the start. We’ll keep pushing for Green initiatives beyond this accord, and the one-year renewal means we can adapt and improve. We are excited and hopeful about what’s to come in 2025, and the more that is realized in the coming months, we think British Columbians will be too."
