Sonia Ferstenau, flanked by Parksville-Qualicum candidate Robert Lyon (left) and Nanaimo candidate Lia Versaevel (right) at a campaign stop in Nanaimo on Friday, Oct. 9. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PARTY PLATFORM

Job security, electric transportation, carbon neutrality key pillars of Green’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan

Oct 9, 2020 | 2:02 PM

NANAIMO — The BC Greens made their COVID-19 economic recovery pitch to voters during a stop in Nanaimo.

Newly-minted leader Sonia Furstenau joined mid-Island Green candidates at a media event inside the Vancovuer Island Conference Centre on Friday, Oct. 9.

Furstenau pledged support and changes to personal and commercial transportation as a key pillar in post-pandemic recovery.

“The investments we make to recover from COVID-19 can establish a world-leading zero emission transportation system,” Furstenau said. “Our plan would electrify our transit systems including partnering with the federal government to support BC Transit and Translink’s efforts to electrify their bus fleets.”

The goal is to make British Columbia carbon neutral by 2045, aligning with California’s goal, who Furstenau said were world leaders in climate action.

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Included in the Green’s plan is a mandate to have 100 per cent of non-commercial vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035 and the removal of the PST on the sale of all used zero-emission vehicles.

The overarching driver of the Green proposal is a $1 billion strategic investment fund to support innovations designed to move B.C. to a zero-carbon economy.

Under a BC Green government, the scheduled carbon tax increase would be reinstated with regular increases of $10 per year.

Furstenau also promised a new transition program for workers in the oil and gas sector to support them with a guaranteed job in a new clean economy.

“We need to get in front of the transition to a low carbon economy, which evidence shows us will create more jobs than trying to stick with subsidizing the oil and gas industry,” Furstenau said.

The BC Greens are the first provincial party to have their leader make a campaign stop in Nanaimo.

Furstenau was joined by Parksville-Qualicum candidate Robert Lyon, Nanaimo candidate Lia Versaevel and Mid-Island Pacific Rim candidate Evan Jolicoeur.

For full election coverage, visit NanaimoNewsNOW’s election HQ.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley