Conservatives running climate change denying candidates, would put North Coast tanker ban at risk

COURTENAY – David Eby announced measures today to protect B.C.’s environment by cutting pollution and strengthening land, water, and old growth conservation. The plan will also enforce strict new water-use standards for AI data centres and provide new funding for watershed protection.

“The first thing British Columbians will tell you they love about our province is its natural beauty. It’s more than just the forests we walk in and the lakes we swim in – it provides the fresh food we eat and the clean water we drink,” said David Eby, BC NDP leader. “Our plan is about protecting this place we call home, for our kids and grandkids.”

Eby’s plan builds on a proven track record of standing up for B.C.’s natural environment, including successfully fighting to maintain the North Coast Tanker Ban and creating the BC Watershed Security Fund. The BC NDP also passed legislation to regulate electricity use by AI data centres and ban cryptocurrency mining companies from connecting to the hydro grid. Meanwhile, the BC Conservatives pushed for a new heavy oil pipeline to B.C.’s sensitive north coast, and they oppose the BC NDP’s "30 by 30" conservation goals being worked on in partnership with Prime Minister Mark Carney and First Nations.

“Once we lose natural spaces, we may never get them back. That’s exactly the risk we face with the Conservatives, including their candidates who deny the science of climate change,” said David Eby. “They’d roll back habitat protections and have called for oil tankers to carry bitumen through our pristine north coast. We can’t afford that.”

David Eby’s plan to protect the place we call home:

• Advancing “30 by 30” nature protection: Partnering with Prime Minister Carney to protect 30% of B.C.’s land by 2030 to conserve the environment, protect wildlife habitat, and preserve public access. The Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor is poised to add protections to an area equivalent to 12,000 Stanley Parks, while enabling responsible natural resource development.
• Strengthening watershed protection: $30 million per year to provide the BC Watershed Security Fund with sustainable, long-term funding and secure healthy watersheds and thriving communities for generations.
• Creating the Clean Futures Fund: Dedicating a portion of provincial revenue from new oil and gas development to fund climate action programs that help families and businesses choose less costly clean energy and create new jobs, starting with an investment of $50 million.
• Capping electricity for new AI data centres: Maintaining BC Hydro’s firm limit on the amount of electricity available for new data centres and ensuring that only projects that meet the highest environmental standards are approved.
• Safeguarding our water from AI data centres: Setting strict new water-efficiency standards, mandated public reporting of water use, and requiring engagement with local communities on conservation and drought planning.
• Protecting B.C.’s coast: Finalizing the new, historic National Marine Conservation Area Reserve in the Great Bear Sea, announced earlier this year, in partnership with the federal government and six coastal First Nations.
• Protecting old-growth trees: $50 million to convert old-growth deferrals of the most irreplaceable and rarest forests into permanent protections, while supporting mills to retrofit and make more value-added products with second growth.