BC Election 2017: Your quick guide to the environment

Ahead of the 2017 BC election, Daily Hive has produced seven quick guides to the key issues affecting young voters. To find all the guides and our full BC Election coverage, click here: Battleground BC.

Long story short

BC is a resource-rich province, with local economies built around forestry, fishing, and mining, in some of the most beautiful natural landscape in the world. But British Columbians are fiercely protective of that landscape–this is where Greenpeace was founded, after all. So what place does environmental awareness have in our future?

Why does it matter?

With issues on the table like pipeline development and expansion, cetacean policies at the Vancouver Aquarium, the health of our coastal waters against invasive mussels, climate change, and the increasing demand from our growing human population for resources like clean water, the environment is at the top of many people’s minds.

What do people want?

BC has a booming tourism industry, much of which is built around the natural environment, so maintaining what people come to see is important. But people want a balance of environmental stewardship sustainability, without seeing livelihoods collapse in the process. Many also want their kids and grandkids to enjoy British Columbia’s natural offerings the way they did.

What does it mean to you?

Looking after the environment doesn’t just give us–and the animals around us–a more sustainable place to live. It’s an economic matter too. BC sells itself on its natural offerings, with licence plates celebrating the province’s natural beauty and tourism marketing hailing “Super, Natural British Columbia.” Maintaining our environmental reputation makes this an appealing place to live, work, and play.

Who’s talking about it?

Climate change and environmental stewardship is a concern for millennials – not only in BC, but across Canada. When the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion was approved, thousands of protesters of all ages and walks of life voiced their opposition – including Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. As well, BC First Nations’ groups have vowed to keep fighting against the expansion.

What do the parties say?

BC NDP

The BC NDP tells Daily Hive that “protecting the environment and creating jobs go hand-in-hand.”

Among the BC NDP’s plan for the environment is:

Bringing in an endangered species law
Banning the grizzly bear trophy hunt
Hiring extra park rangers and conservation officers
Building new campsites to catch up with current demand
Putting BC residents first in line for campsite bookings

SEE MORE: BC NDP and the environment in detail

BC Liberals

The BC Liberals tell Daily Hive that BC’s “natural beauty is rightfully a point of pride for British Columbians – it is also a gift to the world, and we have a responsibility to enhance and protect it.”

Among the BC Liberals’ plan for the environment is:

Constructing the Site C hydroelectric dam
Adding more money for parks and campsites
Creating 1,900 new campsites in BC Parks

SEE MORE: BC Liberals and the environment in detail

BC Greens

The BC Greens tell Daily Hive they will “strengthen environmental protections and manage our resources in a sustainable way.”

Among the BC Greens’ plan for the environment is:

End the grizzly bear trophy hunt
Introduce legislation to protect endangered species
Introduce a bold climate strategy
Invest in sustainable industries of the future

SEE MORE: BC Greens and the environment in detail

The big question

Will the next BC government protect the province’s natural beauty?

To find more quick guides and our full BC Election coverage, click here: Battleground BC.