“The passage of a policy endorsing Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) at the Green Party of Canada convention in Ottawa this past weekend represents a significant step away from the values that define the BC Green Party.

“This is not a policy that I nor the B.C. Green Party support. I think the Green Party of Canada needs to take a careful look at their policy process and ask themselves how a policy that goes against Green Party values could have been allowed on the floor of a convention.

“BDS is a politically motivated movement that damages any attempt at peace in the Middle East by assigning blame to one party. It risks increasing tension and does not represent a responsible or thoughtful approach to a difficult international issue.

"I think it is worth noting that Elizabeth May, as Leader of the Green Party of Canada, has also been speaking strongly against BDS as a polarizing, ineffective and unhelpful movement in the quest for peace and security in the Middle East.

“There are no shortcuts when it comes to standing up for human rights. Any policy that creates division and assigns blame rather than bringing people together is not one that the B.C. Green Party can support. No matter how hard it is, we must strive to find real solutions that build acceptance and tolerance for all people.”

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Background

The B.C. Green Party recently overhauled its policy development process through a member-driven process. It has created a rigorous and inclusive policy approach which ensures that policies brought to B.C. Green Party conventions are consistent with the six guiding principles. Policies that seek to force a specific action, rather than outline a value that is supported by evidence, are not eligible to make it to the floor of a convention.

Once passed, BC Green policy outlines the values that members expect their BC Green Party candidates and MLAs to apply when developing party platforms and public positions.

BC Green Policy:

Media contact

Mat Wright, Press Secretary

Office of Andrew Weaver, MLA

+1 250-216-3382 | mat.wright@bcgreens.ca