MEDIA RELEASE - Liberals continue to rubberstamp oil projects, fail to invest in workers or solutions to the worsening climate crisis

Just days ago, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a scathing report warning people that we cannot continue on our current path if we are going to have any chance of addressing climate change.
The reality we are facing could not be more clear: bolder action is urgently needed.
But today, we learned the Liberals are going ahead with a new fossil fuel project and will continue to hand out billions of dollars to oil and gas companies.

April 6th, 2022

Liberals continue to rubberstamp oil projects, fail to invest in workers or solutions to the worsening climate crisis

NDP Critic for Environment and Climate Change, Laurel Collins, and NDP Critic for Natural Resources, Charlie Angus, made the following statement:

“Just days ago, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a scathing report warning people that we cannot continue on our current path if we are going to have any chance of addressing climate change.

The reality we are facing could not be more clear: bolder action is urgently needed.

But today, we learned the Liberals are going ahead with a new fossil fuel project and will continue to hand out billions of dollars to oil and gas companies.

This shows exactly what is wrong with this government. They listen to their corporate buddies from the oil and gas sector instead of listening to climate scientists – and it’s Canadians and our communities who will pay the price.

We need to reduce our emissions if we want things to get better, not increase them – and under the Liberals we have the worst record of any G7 country when it comes to emissions reductions, and we are the only country who has increased emissions every single year. With the approval of the Bay du Nord project, it’s difficult to imagine this record will improve.

Instead of helping communities and workers meet the challenges created by the climate crisis, the Liberals spent billions on a pipeline and continue to hand out billions of dollars to profitable big oil and gas companies.

New Democrats believe we need a concrete and immediate plan to move toward a green and sustainable economy. We need investments in workers that help set them up for future success and stability in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country. Canadians need and expect their governments to address the climate crisis and its impacts on people and their communities.

We are calling on the Liberal government to change direction. Stop giving out public money to subsidize big oil and gas companies and invest in green energy and worker development instead.”

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Vancouver Sun: Muslim groups join calls for B.C. Conservative campaign manager to resign

A coalition of Muslim organizations has joined calls for the resignation of B.C. Conservative campaign manager Katy Merrifield over past social media posts slamming Islam.

In June, Merrifield reposted a message on social media that said “Islam is a literal rape culture.” Merrifield quickly removed it and said the comment was a momentary lapse caused by her own past trauma.

But critics note she has not apologized for it, and has continued to amplify anti-Islamic statements on social media, including ones referring to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “jihad-loving mayor” and blaming Islam as a whole for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

On Tuesday, Musa Ismail, on behalf of Unified Muslim Associations in B.C. (UMABC), said party leader Lorne Doerkson should force Merrifield out.

Ismail said that, in the absence of action by Doerkson, no Conservative candidate is welcome at any Muslim centre or mosque during the B.C. election campaign.

UMABC joins the B.C. Muslim Association, NDP Leader David Eby, NDP Surrey City Centre candidate Amna Shah and Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan, among others, in calling for Merrifield to step down.

Kwan called Merrifield’s comments “deeply disturbing and unacceptable” and said the posts stigmatize all Muslims and send “a chilling message” to B.C.’s Muslim communities.

“At no point has Merrifield apologized or taken responsibility for the hurt she has caused,” Kwan said in a statement. “Muslims are not collectively responsible for the actions of extremists, and no one should have to fear discrimination or hostility because of their faith.”

Doerkson did not address calls for Merrifield’s resignation in his public appearances in recent days.

*Click photo or link to read the full news story - https://vancouversun.com/news/muslim-groups-join-calls-for-bc-conservative-campaign-manager-to-resign