“Many have felt that the environment has been missing in action in both the Liberal and the NDP leadership races until this point,” said Gwen Barlee, policy director with the Wilderness Committee. “Horgan’s environmental platform is far-reaching and comprehensive.  It makes a commitment to a healthy environment and sets the bar for other leadership candidates to follow.”
 
Horgan’s plan is broken into four categories: climate change; environmental protection; land and water stewardship; and, protection of BC’s coastal waters. Specific initiatives include expanding the carbon tax to capture large emitters, whistle blower provisions, endangered species legislation, restoring adequate staff and budgets to the Ministry of Environment and maintaining a ban on offshore oil exploration as well as transitioning away from open net-cage fish farms.
 
“We are pleased to see a leadership candidate champion BC’s environment,” remarked Ben West, Healthy Communities campaigner for the Wilderness Committee. “We would have liked to have seen a greater emphasis on ending old-growth logging in endangered ecosystems, greatly expanding our protected area system, and a concrete plan to reach our green house reduction targets, but overall Mr. Horgan has presented a strong environmental platform.”
 
John Horgan is the first leadership candidate from either party to commit to a comprehensive environmental platform.
 
“The commitment to clean air and fresh water should never go out of style,” said Barlee.  “Policies that protect BC’s environment are a smart investment in the future. I hope Mr. Horgan’s platform inspires other candidates to put forward initiatives that make environmental protection in BC a priority.”