Earth Day: BC Liberal Initiatives to Sustain the Environment

April 22, 2009

Vancouver– Since forming government in 2001, the BC Liberal Government has put in place a sustainable plan to address climate change, protect sensitive lands, preserve marine and wildlife habitat, and improve water and air quality in every region of the province.

Highlights:

1. The BC Liberal Government has established 57 new parks and created a world-renowned land-use plan on the pristine North and Central Coast by bringing together environmental organizations, First Nations, industry and communities. The agreement protects critical Spirit Bear Habitat.
2. Developed comprehensive plans to map a sustainable future for air, water, climate, energy and bioenergy.Click here for more details.
3. The BC Liberal Government has put in place North America’s most aggressive climate action plans, including enshrining in law a 33 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
4. Forged international partnerships to combat climate change, including the development of North America’s first regional cap and trade system, and agreements with Pacific states to preserve Pacific Ocean health.
5. Made major investments in clean energy initiatives to develop wind, solar, tidal, bioenergy and biofuels to create ‘green’ jobs and position B.C. as a world leader in green energy technology.
   

• Established 57 new parks, 143 conservancies, one ecological reserve and nine protected areas since 2001.
• Expanded more than 50 parks and six ecological reserves, protecting more than 1.8 million hectares – an area almost three times the size of Prince Edward Island.
• Worked with First Nations, environmental organizations, industry and communities to establish a land use plan for the North Coast and Central Coast that covers approximately 6.4 million hectares, more than twice the size of Belgium. A total of approximately two million hectares of protected areas are now in place, or more than twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. The BC Liberal Government contributed $30 million to the $120 million Coast Opportunity Funds aimed at preserving the integrity of the Great Bear Rainforest and promoting economic development opportunities for First Nations.
• 14.26 per cent (or more than 13.5-million hectares) of British Columbia is now protected – more than any other province in Canada.
• Finalized five consensus-based land use plans since 2001, including: Central Coast, North Coast, Morice, Sea-to-Sky and Haida Gwaii.
• $107 million in capital investments over the past five years to improve park facilities and acquire new lands.
  

• Passed amendments to the Wildlife Act to allow additional protective measures to other species at risk (plants and invertebrates), and to provide protection for species’ residences – the first time these protections have been enshrined in law.Amended the Wildlife Act to more than double fines and penalties (up to $500,000 and three years in jail) for those who kill endangered species.
• Created 1,207 Wildlife Habitat Areas covering over one million hectares, protecting 41 species.
• Supported recovery of the Vancouver Island Marmot with $1.8-million since 2001.  In 1998 there were 80 marmots, today there are close to 225.
• Made the Spirit Bear the official provincial mammal emblem of B.C. in 2006.
• The BC Liberal government is the first government in B.C. history to implement a $14-million comprehensive drinking water protection plan.
• Developed Living Water Smart, a plan for sustainable water stewardship that includes protecting sources of drinking water, strengthening flood protection, ensuring wetlands and waterways are protected and rehabilitated, setting strong water efficiency targets and working with all sectors to reduce consumption.
• Investing over $200 million through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund in projects across B.C., with at least 60 per cent dedicated to assisting with “green projects” such as drinking water, treatment and distribution. 
• Formed the Pacific Coast Collaborative with California, Washington, California, Oregon and Alaska to co-operate on ocean health, clean energy; regional transportation; and enhancing a sustainable regional economy.
  

 Air Quality

• Closed all 80 Tier I beehive burners – industrial woodwaste burners that were close to communities, schools and hospitals.
• Passed legislation to enable B.C. to adopt California vehicle emissions standards.
• B.C. was the first province in Canada to pilot a new Air Quality Health Index, which provides information on local air quality, along with tips.
• Invested more than $2-billion since 2001 in climate change initiatives.
• A BC Liberal government will be a carbon-neutral government by 2010.
• The revenue-neutral tax on carbon emissions will have the effect of taking almost 800,000 vehicles off the road and will fund over $2.3 billion in tax cuts and assistance for low income families over the next three years.
• First province to join the Western Climate Initiative which is working on identifying, evaluating and implementing ways to reduce GHGs, including the development of a cap & trade system which could be in place by 2012.
• The LiveSmart program is a $60-million program that includes a wide range of rebates, tax exemptions and other incentives to save citizens money and reduce emissions.
• Implemented a $2,000 PST rebate on new, fuel-efficient vehicles.
  

Clean Energy and Conservation:

• Created the Innovative Clean Energy Fund (ICE) and invested $25 million to further establish B.C. as a world leader in alternative energy and power technology. A further $25 million has since been committed to expand the program.
• Created Solar BC, a $5-million program to encourage the installation of solar hot water heaters in homes, municipal buildings, schools, social housing and First Nations communities.
  

Growing our Forests:

•  In 2008, B.C. committed to establishing a net-zero deforestation law by 2010.

Improving Choice through Transit and Community Partnerships

• Investing $10.3 billion for four new and updated rapid transit lines, the Canada Line; Evergreen Line; UBC Line; and the expanded Expo Line.
• Providing $1.6-billion for 1,500 new clean technology buses.
• Building a Hydrogen Highway that runs from Whistler to Victoria, with plans to extend it as far south Baja California. 
• The LiveSmart BC Green Cities Awards profile leading-edge communities, and provide them with the funds to invest further in initiatives that make their environment even greener and healthier for their citizens.