FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES/VANCOUVER – “Sierra Club BC is concerned about the lack of details and timelines for climate and biodiversity commitments in the BC government mandate letters released today. The letters make only passing reference to critical outstanding promises like protecting old-growth forests and other critical ecosystems, protecting 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030, and reducing climate pollution. The word biodiversity was not present in any of the letters despite B.C. having the largest number of species at risk in Canada.

“Crucial commitments such as finalizing the draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health framework and legislation, implementation of the 2020 Old-Growth Strategic Review and the 2023 Nature Agreement, and establishing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are not explicitly referenced in any of the letters. The Letter for the Minister for Climate and Energy does not mention last year’s commitment to enact a provincial oil and gas emissions cap as a back stop in case the federal government fails to establish a cap at the federal level.

“The kitchen table issues this government is focused on cannot be addressed without maintaining the natural life support systems that sustain all communities. Intact watersheds and forest ecosystems help stabilize the climate and reduce flooding and wildfires – the unnatural disasters that have devastated B.C. communities time and again.

“Last October an atmospheric river dumped hundreds of millimeters of rain on parts of the province, triggering a state of local emergency in North Vancouver. Then, a bomb cyclone in November left over 300,000 households without power. Throughout last year we saw devastating landslides across the province including the Chilcotin region and the Sea to Sky. These increasingly common climate disasters affect everything from housing affordability to health to insurance rates and even food security.

“B.C., Canada and the world are entering a difficult geopolitical moment. But ignoring the links between affordability, health and the environment will only make things worse. Instead, we can embrace this moment to bring British Columbians together to build a more equitable, resilient and bright future for everyone that calls this province home.”

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