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Work with businesses, labour, communities and the federal government to develop a strong Kyoto plan with measurable goals and targets. In particular: • Work with the federal government to implement improved automobile fuel efficiency standards and cut pollution • Work with communities to improve rail and transit options and to reduce sprawl • Keep at the forefront of energy efficiency standards and renewable energy production Global warming is a serious challenge for British Columbians and our economy. Whether it’s the mountain pine beetle epidemic, the ongoing threat of severe forest fires, or worryingly low snow-pack levels, rising temperatures worldwide are having a profound effect on BC communities. Working together, British Columbians can do our part to further Canada’s effort to reduce global warming. But the Campbell Liberals have shown a complete lack of leadership on global warming. Their Kyoto plan is weak and ineffective, with many of their policies actually increasing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, they have shown no commitment to effective land-use planning efforts to reduce urban sprawl and the pollution caused by more traffic. BC’s New Democrats will bring all parts of BC society together, to ensure we take proactive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our province. Working with the federal government, she will encourage industry’s ‘best practices’ in energy efficiency – which means less pollution from vehicles, buildings, and machinery. And, because so much of BC’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, she will improve sustainable urban transportation and support regional growth strategies by: • enhancing funding for BC Transit • accelerating provincial support for rapid transit to the north-east sector of the Lower Mainland • restoring a multi-year, cost-sharing program for cycling infrastructure • promoting “smart growth” of our urban communities to reduce traffic-generating urban sprawl. Greening of U.B.C. an environmental success The University of B.C. is hoping to set an example for school campuses around the world by meeting its targets under the Kyoto Protocol by next year. Since it started working to create an environmentally sustainable campus in 1997, UBC has cut carbon dioxide emissions by seven per cent... It cut energy use by 20 per cent… even as enrollment went up 19 per cent… Since 2000, buildings have been designed or renovated to include natural ventilation, water recycling and efficient lighting. New buildings are built with recycled materials or solar panels… While the program has cost money in the short term, the university will come out ahead. “We estimate [the energy savings are] at least a 10-year payback,” said Ruth Abramson of the campus sustainability office. “The annual savings will be close to $2.5 million, depending on how cold winters are.” “We’re actually creating a culture of sustainability,” Abramson said. Vancouver Courier February 21, 2005 BCNDP Platform 2005 49
Support and respect regional landuse planning processes The best land-use decisions are made when local people come together to work through their concerns and differences, creating solutions that provide balance between the environment and jobs. Gordon Campbell has rejected that approach. Even decisions already reached in good faith are not free of his government’s interference. One of the Liberals’ first acts was to reopen the South Chilcotin land-use compromise. Three years later, Campbell Liberals announced the size of the South Chilcotin park would be reduced by 21%. Land-use decisions that support a sustainable economy and value our environment are best made through an open and accountable process that respects the opinions and desires of those most affected by the decisions. Carole <strong>James</strong> will respect regional decisions on which land-use solutions will work best for communities and their future. Ensure fish farming is environmentally responsible while protecting wild salmon stocks Take a look at the Campbell government’s record on aquaculture: Government has no business selling off our parks By Bill Wareham Having participated in the Lillooet land use planning process for four years, I can say that Sustainable Resources Minister George Abbott is seriously misrepresenting history by stating that the Liberal government had to revise the Lillooet land use plan and the South Chilcotin Park boundary because there was no consensus reached by the planning process. In fact, there was a consensus reached in 2001. The agreement was to deliver two final land use options to government for consideration and to live by government’s decision. The government chose the option presented by the conservation, tourism and recreation sectors. This included a 71,000-hectare South Chilcotin Park, 13 other protected areas and management provisions to ensure protection of critical wildlife habitat. Other important protected area proposals were dropped to accommodate a large South Chilcotin Park designation. Vancouver Sun July 28, 2004 • They lifted the moratorium on fish farm expansion without any new scientific evidence. • Slashed the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries’ ability to enforce aquaculture rules by cutting its compliance budget. • Allowed the Minister, John van Dongen, to tip off one of the fish farming industry’s biggest players – and a major contributor to the Liberal party – about government’s ongoing investigation into its practices. • Passed a law that gives the Campbell government the ability to overrule local government decisions on aquaculture. • Then, as a bonus, they refunded more than $1 million in fines to companies that broke production and pollution rules. 50 BCNDP Platform 2005
Page 1 and 2: Carole James L E A D E R because ev
Page 3 and 4: This is a time for new ideas to mee
Page 5 and 6: Strengthen public health care to re
Page 7 and 8: The New Democrat Plan: Reducing wai
Page 9 and 10: End emergency room backlogs by: •
Page 11 and 12: The New Democrat plan will leverage
Page 13 and 14: Carole James believes in the value
Page 15 and 16: In this century - in a complex, div
Page 17 and 18: Ensure BC children’s success in t
Page 19 and 20: Improving access and affordability
Page 21 and 22: Ensure access to developmental prog
Page 23 and 24: The Campbell Liberals have cut key
Page 25 and 26: There are 9,000 children who are th
Page 27 and 28: Establish Residential Tenancy Offic
Page 29 and 30: Improve safety in communities and m
Page 31 and 32: Higher costs and lower service: The
Page 33 and 34: All of this was done to make sure p
Page 35 and 36: The regional health authorities are
Page 37 and 38: Work with business, labour and comm
Page 39 and 40: The New Democrat Plan: Enable commu
Page 41 and 42: Balance the budget Balanced budgets
Page 43 and 44: Public services are a key component
Page 45 and 46: And she would expand the program’
Page 47 and 48: Protect our environment 46 BCNDP Pl
Page 49: The New Democrat Plan: Restore the
Page 53 and 54: Enhance forest service enforcement
Page 55 and 56: Broken promises. Secret decisions.
Page 57 and 58: Show respect for local governments
Page 59 and 60: Extend the mandate of the BC Progre
Page 61 and 62: Stop the flow of personal medical i
Page 63 and 64: Costing Preamble Restoring balance
Page 65 and 66: The NDP plan projects a surplus at
Page 67 and 68: Education: After three years of ski
Page 69 and 70: Restoring key public services for t
Page 71 and 72: - Maintain forest recreation sites
Page 73 and 74: School seismic capital After four y
Page 75 and 76: Notes 74 BCNDP Platform 2005
Page 77 and 78: 76 BCNDP Platform 2005

James

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