VICTORIA B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, issued the following statement in response to the Christy Clark government’s request to Ottawa to ban thermal coal exports to the United States.

“I’m glad to hear that the Premier is finally calling for a halt to the expansion of thermal coal exports. This move is long overdue,” said Weaver. “Washington, Oregon and California have already moved to ban thermal coal exports. It is high time that British Columbia showed leadership on this issue as well.

“Three years ago, I introduced an amendment to the throne speech to stop the expansion of thermal coal exports, because that was the right thing to do. Both the Liberals and NDP voted against it. It has been a year since the Paris Agreement was signed. The world is moving on from coal as the cost of renewables continues to decline. The expansion of B.C.’s thermal coal exports should have been halted long ago so that B.C. could be a leader in climate action and in the tremendous economic opportunities that come from developing the renewable energy sector.”

“I sincerely hope that this move the Premier has made is more than just election politics. With the news earlier today that the Trump administration is considering pulling out of NAFTA, B.C. needs to be carefully coordinating all of its moves on trade with Ottawa to ensure that B.C.’s interests are always front and centre.”

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Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary

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