The B.C. NDP is promising millions of dollars in new investments in clean energy and climate programs if re-elected, while warning a Conservative government would roll back environmental protections.
The party announced a platform Tuesday that includes $4 million annually for the Youth Climate Corps, $50 million a year to expand heat pump installations and $16 million annually to grow the province’s electric vehicle charging network.
Kootenay Central MLA Brittny Anderson, who is running for re-election and also serves as Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities, highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of the proposed investments.
“We want to see good jobs, but we also want to protect the environment,” Anderson said.
The party has also pledged to work toward eliminating methane emissions by 2035, building on reductions it says have already reached 50 per cent.
Anderson argued the NDP’s approach would support economic growth while protecting the province’s environment.
“In this election, there are two clear paths,” Anderson said. “One path enables B.C. to be leaders in environmental protection and economic growth. The other path, under the B.C. Conservatives, leads to environmental and economic decline as they roll back the progress that we have made together.”
The NDP also plans to simplify rules for balcony solar installations, allowing more households to generate their own electricity.
“This provincial election offers a clear choice between a BC NDP government committed to creating jobs while reducing emissions and the Conservatives, who would reverse efforts to reduce emissions because many of their candidates don’t even believe in the science of climate change,” said David Eby, BC NDP leader.
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