B.C. Green party unveils economic campaign platform

B.C. Green leader Andrew Weaver revealed the first plank in his party’s economic platform Wednesday, aimed at boosting British Columbia’s technology sector as a means to create clean-green jobs.

Weaver said it was designed, in consultation with industry, to appeal to squeezed millennials and help inspire disaffected voters.

The focus is on innovation, to build skills in the workforce and to incubate and promote small business and startup firms with $275 million in spending over four years.

“If we are to capitalize on new opportunities in a changing world and not be left behind, we need to invest now in innovative sectors, not old outdated sectors that will soon be made obsolete by global forces beyond our control,” Weaver said.

The plan, released under the title “Strategy for the new economy: innovation and sustainable enterprise,” also commits $20 million a year to support mentoring and networking between post-secondary institutions and industry and $20 million a year for government procurement to support the adoption of green technology.

Weaver said the strategy was an alternative to the B.C. Liberals, who he charged have governed to the benefit of wealthy donors, and the NDP who continue to support “old economy” projects such as the Woodfibre LNG development in Squamish.

“Liberals will tell you we have economic growth and job creation,” Weaver said. “What they won’t tell you is many of the jobs are short-term, part-time and lower paid.”

Party deputy leader and techsector CEO Matt Toner said B.C. is already doing the “new economy” very well with booming growth in software development, animation and film and television.

“These are not a windmill made out of hemp, but they are cleaner, greener more sustainable jobs,” said Toner, who ran for the NDP in the Vancouver-False Creek riding in 2013, losing to former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan.