With the NDP leadership convention taking place this Sunday, April 17th, all the leadership candidates have committed to a substantial number of the ‘Top 11 for 2011’ environmental priorities outlined earlier this year by the Wilderness Committee.

"All of the NDP leadership candidates have made protection of the environment a priority in their platforms,” said Gwen Barlee, Policy Director for the Wilderness Committee. The ‘Top 11’ was issued as a challenge to all leadership candidates for both the BC Liberals and the NDP.

“We submitted our environmental policy priorities to all the parties’ leadership candidates, and we are pleased to see comprehensive environmental platforms, which include commitments from the NDP candidates to tackle climate change, protect wild rivers and enact endangered species legislation," said Gwen Barlee, Policy Director for the Wilderness Committee. None of the Liberal leadership challengers responded to the Wilderness Committee.

“In terms of climate change we have seen a big step forward by the NDP candidates here, as this is no longer the party of ‘axe the tax’ -- in fact they seem eager to expand the reach and effectiveness of the carbon tax,” said Ben West, Climate Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee.

“What is yet to be seen is if whomever is elected leader of the NDP would take adequate action to reduce emissions and work toward science based emission reduction targets. We want a solid commitment to aggressive targets that includes shifting funding from new highways to investing in pubic transit,” said West.

“Whoever wins this weekend’s NDP leadership contest, it’s clear that important environmental issues will be on the agenda,” said Barlee.

Contact:

Gwen Barlee, Wilderness Committee, Policy Director, 604-202-0322 (c)

Ben West, Wilderness Committee, Healthy Communities Campaigner, 604-710-5340 (c)