Issue #4 - March 22/25

OMG, time flies! We have now completed the first month of the Spring Legislative Session, and we’re adjourned for the Spring Break until March 31st.  

One of the highlights of this Session was your MLA becoming a meme:

This has been a very busy few weeks for BC and Canada –  

• Chaotic and intensifying Trump trade war 

• Introduction of the BC Budget 

• Introduction of NDP Legislation, including Tariff Legislation 

• NDP cancellation of the Consumer Carbon Tax 

• New PM Mark Carney 

• Three Conservative MLAs are now sitting as independents. 

• Final Accord with the NDP Caucus signed.  

• And much more.  

Throughout, Jeremy Valeriote and I have been steadfast in pressing the NDP government to guide its actions and decisions in a way that builds a 21st century economy which is not reliant on US trade. This while also fighting climate change, advancing reconciliation, and most importantly, ensuring we take good care of everyone, especially the most vulnerable, in these uncertain times.  

 Some of the highlights of our work in the Legislature:    

Tariffs and sovereignty: MLA Rob Botterell responds to the Premier’s Ministerial statement on tariffs and sovereignty, giving a special shoutout to the mental health toll that this period of upheaval has caused. 

 Lack of funding for environmental assessments: MLA Rob Botterell on Budget 2025 and the lack of funding for environmental assessments, given the government’s goal of fast-tracking resource extraction projects. 

 Response to the Budget Speech: MLA Rob Botterell responds to Budget 2025 and sets out a vision for investing in innovation in BC that puts people and the environment first, while enabling us to return to balanced budgets.  

Media coverage of our work:  

 B.C. Green Party reacts to new provincial budget | The Early Edition | On Demand | CBC Listen  

 Budget response: Standing Strong or Standing Still? 

 MLA Rob Botterell addresses reporters following the BC Budget. Here’s a short clip. 

• Question Period: MLA Botterell on affordability, ‘BuyBC,’ and job losses in a trade war.  

• Question Period: MLA Botterell on BC Hydro overpaying for wind projects and the Premier’s promise to scrap the carbon tax. 

• Introductions: MLA Botterell introduces energy and environment expert Robert McCullough, who shares valuable information to our caucus on reviewing CleanBC and other energy and climate issues. 

My meetings with Ministers, Ministries and constituents continue, with the last week being filled with community meetings on the Gulf Islands and Saanich Peninsula.  More on that to follow.  

Recently, I met Saltspring Island Firefighters, attended ASK Salt Spring, met with Robin Jenkins to discuss the SSI multi-use Trail, met with Corey Johnson regarding the ongoing dock issue and derelict vessels at Ganges Harbour and toured a local health clinic. I’m always appreciative of the warm response we get when we visit the Islands.  

I’ve had productive meetings with Ministers Osborne, Kahlon, Dix, and Parmar as we continue to advance work on Accord initiatives in the areas of Community Health Centres, Forestry, Housing and Clean BC. 

Accord with NDP Caucus 

On January 12th, we were pleased to sign the final Accord with the NDP Caucus to guide our work together on key green priorities, with the proviso that we will review progress - and the agreement - after a year.   

I would encourage you to read the Accord and reach out with any questions.  

Final Accord: 

https://bcndpcaucus.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/2025-CARGA-Final-Agreement-Signed.pdf 

Accord Coverage: 

• BC NDP, BC Greens finalize agreement | Watch News Videos Online 

• Deal gives B.C. Greens a place at table over B.C. tariff response policy - Clearwater Times 

 Joint Statement:  

https://bcgreencaucus.ca/b-c-new-democrat-and-b-c-greens-finalize-agreement/ 

My thoughts on the trade war with the United States:  

 Over the past week we have witnessed the start of a trade war with the United States.  While President Trump is anything but predictable, he is firm in his incredibly misguided view that high tariffs on imports to the United States will make America “great again” and that it is in the best interests of Canada to become the 51st State.    

Political and business leaders, community members, and even stock markets on both sides of the border strongly disagree, but so far that has not stopped Trump.  

Not a day goes by without a blizzard of threats and trade actions coming out of the Trump Administration, often announced on Truth Social. To say this creates a disturbing climate of uncertainty for everyone in the riding and all British Columbians is an understatement. Businesses also face an uncertain and damaging business environment.  

We did not ask for this.  

Please be assured that I’m working hard, along with my team at the Legislature and the NDP, to ensure that families and businesses are fully supported to weather the difficult challenges brought on by this trade war.  

We are also working together to diversify trade away from the United States and pressing hard to see BC build a 21st Century green economy which provides the services you need. These include accessible, timely health care, affordable housing, environmental protection, and which addresses climate change and achieves indigenous reconciliation.  

Despite what some may say, the BC government is in a strong financial position with one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in Canada. For this reason, we can run deficits, if needed, in the short term, and make the expenditures needed to protect and support individuals and businesses affected by the trade war.  

We must also ensure that we make the investments and spur on the innovation necessary to have a prosperous, resilient economy diversified away from the USA that generates the revenues needed to support people and protect the environment, without running large deficits.  

As noted in other parts of my newsletter, we have raised these issues in our speeches, statements in the house, in question period, and in meetings with Ministers.  

In recent days we have seen the BC NDP government take action, including the introduction of Tariff legislation and the cancelling of the consumer Carbon Tax, that is cause for concern.  We have been clear that any tariff legislation must have guardrails to prevent the unchecked exercise of power, and that removal of the consumer carbon tax must be accompanied by other equally effective climate measures and new sustainable revenue sources to ensure the most vulnerable continue to receive the financial supports they require.  

This is going to be a roller coaster ride as we face down a trade war with the United States.  

We have successfully pulled together and tackled big challenges before in our history as a province and a nation, the most recent example being Covid, and I am confident that we will succeed once again.   

If I have one request, it is that you reach out to your friends, family, and neighbours to offer each other support and strength. Together, we will get through this challenging and uncertain time. 

 Links to our statements on these issues can be found below: 

Tariff legislation statement: 

https://bcgreencaucus.ca/bc-greens-we-need-a-strategic-tariff-response-not-the-same-old-playbook/ 

Consumer Carbon tax statement: 

https://bcgreencaucus.ca/bc-greens-respond-to-plans-to-eliminate-carbon-tax/ 

For additional information please check out my website at www.MLABotterell.ca, providing another way for you to connect with myself and my staff and stay up to date with everything I have been up to at the Legislature and out in our constituency. I will be posting my current and past newsletters, links to videos from the Legislature, important updates, and more – please be sure to click on by! 

 Until next time,