WEST VANCOUVER BC -- B.C. Green Party candidate Dr. Michael Markwick (West Vancouver - Capilano) will hold a media availability tomorrow at his Walk to Save the Seawalk.

WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 2016 at 12:45 PM

WHERE: Bottom of 24th Street in West Vancouver, B.C.

The walk will begin at 12:00PM from the bottom of 19th Street.

In addition, Markwick released the following statement today: “West Vancouver’s Centennial Seawalk is inseparable from the identity and well-being of our community. CN is seeking a court injunction to bar our community’s use of the Sea Walk and force West Vancouver residents to pay CN $3.7 million a year. If this was allowed to stand, we’d see property taxes in West Vancouver go through the roof. I call on the Government of British Columbia to end its silence and support the residents of West Vancouver on this issue.”

Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party added: “The B.C. Greens are committed to supporting public spaces across the province. For the people of West Vancouver, as well as many others in the region, the Seawalk is a vital space for recreation, particularly for families, seniors, and folks with disabilities.”

“This is yet another example why the public cannot trust the government to put the needs of their community first. CN Rail has donated $259,760 to the B.C. Liberals and $21,000 to the NDP since records became publicly available online in 2005. The potential conflicts-of-interest in this and many other issues is unacceptable. The B.C. Green Party is the only party that has banned corporate and union donations and that has the integrity to honestly represent the interests of the people, both in West Vancouver and across the province.”

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Additional quotes from Dr. Michael Markwick attached

Media contacts

B.C. Greens Party

Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary

+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@bcgreens.ca

Dr. Michael Markwick

Kevin Kapenda, Press Secretary

+1 604-355-5958 | kapenda_53@hotmail.com

Additional statement from Dr. Michael Markwick

“As we get ready to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, CN is attempting to make a cash grab to charge the residents of West Vancouver for the use of the Centennial Seawalk. If CN gets its way and forces the District of West Vancouver to pay $3.7 million in annual rent for use of the Seawalk, it could result in a significant increase in property taxes. In a community where most renters pay over 30% of their income for housing, we will see more and more people forced out of our community.

“This is still public land, owned by British Columbians and leased to CN. The provincial government's silence on this issue is shocking. I call on the Government of British Columbia to help the residents of West Vancouver resolve this issue.

“I’ve walked, ran, and swam the length of the Seawalk many times over. As B.C. Green MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano, I will continue to do everything I can to save the Sea Walk from CN and the B.C. Liberals by ensuring this public land is designated and protected forever as a public park.

“The B.C. Greens can be trusted to put the public interest in the Seawalk ahead of corporate interests because we are funded exclusively by individual donors. This is in stark contrast to the B.C. Liberals who have received $295,760) from CN, and the B.C. NDP who’ve taken $21,000 from CN.”