For immediate release – February 20, 2007

Bright spots for the environment offset by expanded subsidies for oil and gas, increased money for highway expansion and lack of action on endangered species

Victoria, British Columbia – The highly anticipated budget brought down by the BC government this afternoon disappointed the Wilderness Committee due to its lack of concrete funding proposals to address climate change and other environmental priorities.

“The budget is where the rubber hits the road. It is about designating dollars to make vision a reality,” Joe Foy, National Campaign Director. “Premier Campbell raised the bar last year when he made environmental protection one of BC’s main goals. Then, in last week’s Throne Speech he raised the bar again when he committed BC to be a world leader on the environment and in fighting climate change. Today, however, there is still a chasm of difference between promises and dedicated funding.”

Bright spots for the environment in the budget included the following:

• 15% increase in the Ministry of Environment’s operating budget
• promised completion this year of the Haidi Gwaii, Lillooet and Sea-to-Sky land use plans
• $4 million to improve air quality in the province this year and a commitment to buying hydrogen buses, albeit with federal money

While BC Parks operating budget received a $4 million boost this year, bringing its annual budget to approximately $35 million, the amount is still far below the $56 million needed to bring BC Parks to an adequate funding level that is comparable with neighbouring park systems.

In contrast, the budget documents revealed that the BC government will be increasing funding for highway expansion in the Lower Mainland by $100 million, increasing subsidies to the oil and gas sector by 40%, and continued provincial government interest in lifting the offshore oil and gas moratorium. Also of concern is the lack of movement on contentious files such as the spotted owl and other species at risk and the Agricultural Land Reserve.

“Today’s budget didn’t reflect the green dreams of last week. It lacked timely, funded actions. There are just a few million dollars devoted to directly addressing climate change,” said Gwen Barlee, Policy Director with the Wilderness Committee. “BC is not a leader in environmental protection: it is a leader on unfulfilled environmental promises.”

“We are committed to working with the provincial government to help BC become an environmental leader”, said Foy. “But if the government truly wants to deliver they must bridge the gap between promises and action. Being proactive in the short term gives us room to maneuver tomorrow. Any other course of action means the costs of acting will keep increasing while our options to protect the environment keep diminishing.”

For more information, please contact:
Joe Foy, National Campaign Director    (604) 880-2580 (cell)
Gwen Barlee, Policy Director        (604) 202-0322 (cell)