BC Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau responded to B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson’s comments on Wednesday regarding his desire to expand the LNG and fracking industry, which come on the heels of John Horgan’s pro-fracking comments during the leadership debate Tuesday night.

“Neither the B.C. NDP nor the B.C. Liberals appear to understand that we are in a climate emergency,” said Furstenau.

“Yesterday, the IEA released its energy forecast, showing that renewables will lead future energy demand in every scenario. The B.C. Greens have released a plan to seize this opportunity by making B.C. a leader in innovation and clean technologies.

“We can’t leave anyone behind. That’s why our plan includes a just transition for oil and gas workers. The B.C. NDP and B.C. Liberals seem intent on keeping us in the past by continuing to give billions in taxpayer subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. This is not how we will create a stable modern economy and long-term job security for British Columbians.

“Including LNG Canada, emissions from oil and gas production would exceed BC’s 2050 target by 160 per cent, even if emissions from the rest of the economy were reduced to zero by 2035. We simply cannot afford another massive fossil fuel project.

“The other two parties seem intent on one-upping each other in a race to the bottom of backwards policies. In the last election the NDP threw good policy out the window slashing bridge tolls, a decision which made traffic and emissions worse. Will they chase the Liberals off the cliff and throw our climate goals out the window to match this latest promise?”