Environmentalists in the Squamish area are scrambling to take advantage of the prospect of a BC NDP minority government.
Advocates from My Sea to Sky will be approaching their contacts in the the BC Green and NDP parties in hopes of swaying them against the proposed Woodfibre LNG export facility, said Eoin Finn, the society’s research presenter.
“We have some pretty good contacts in both parties,” said Finn. “We’ve been advocating for a more progressive government for many years and here’s our chance to get one.”
Because the Greens have agreed to give the NDP votes on budget and supply bills, John Horgan’s party will be capable of unseating the BC Liberals’ from their 16-year reign of power.
Green leader Andrew Weaver, however, was careful to stress that the deal would not be a coalition government, which would imply the Greens would vote in lockstep with the BC NDP on most issues.
Instead, the Greens will consider each bill put forth by the house on a case-by-case basis, with the exception of the budget and supply bills that keep the government running.
With 41 seats in the legislature, the NDP will need the Greens’ three votes to push bills through, as 44 votes are needed to obtain a majority.
The prospect of increased Green influence is good news for Finn, who hopes to find a sympathetic ear with the party.
However, Woodfibre LNG appears to remain confident its project will go forward, citing the support it has received from the BC NDP, as well as the environmental assessment approvals it attained from the Squamish Nation, the province, and the federal government.
“BC’s New Democrats have voiced their support for Woodfibre LNG and the jobs and economic activity it will bring to BC,” wrote company spokesperson Jennifer Siddon in a written statement. “We look forward to working with the provincial government, in whichever form it takes shape.”
The written agreement between the BC NDP and the Greens makes no mention of Woodfibre LNG or of liquefied natural gas.
