Q&A with Adam Bremner-Akins, BC Green Party candidate for Port Coquitlam

Candidates were given one week to respond to questions. Candidates were asked to limit answers to approximately 100 words. Aside from minor spelling/grammatical errors, responses have not been altered.

1. How will you improve patient care at Eagle Ridge Hospital?

We are committed to improving healthcare across BC, including at Eagle Ridge Hospital. BC Greens are looking to take pressure off our hospitals and improve patient care by introducing 93 health care centres across BC within our first year in government. This will provide patients with alternatives to emergency rooms, lessening the strain on Eagle Ridge Hospital, and improving access to healthcare for all residents of the Tri-Cities. All while addressing the existing staffing shortages, expanding mental health coverage under MDP, and providing more addiction services. By investing in healthcare workers first, we will ensure patients get the best care possible.

2. How should the next government address the shortage of doctors in B.C.?

BC Greens are committed to addressing the shortage of doctors by streamlining the accreditation process for internationally trained healthcare professionals and expanding training opportunities for medical students. We would also increase the availability of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to ease the burden on doctors, ensuring that every community has easy access to primary care. We will also introduce a loan forgiveness program for doctors who are working in underserved areas.

3. How will your party approach negotiations with the Kwikwetlem First Nation regarding the future of Səmiq̓wəʔelə (suhMeekwuh Eluh), formerly the Riverview Lands?

We will engage in respectful and collaborative negotiations with the Kwikwetlem First Nation, ensuring their rights and sovereignty are fully recognized. We support co-governance models that prioritize Indigenous leadership in decisions related to their land and future developments and would ensure that any use of the Səmiq̓wəʔelə honours Kwikwetlem cultural heritage and provides real benefits to the Kwikwetlem people.

4. What will your party do to improve ambulance response times in the Tri-Cities?

We recognize the urgent need for faster ambulance response times, particularly in the Tri-Cities. BC Greens would invest in increasing the number of paramedics and ambulances within our health care system and improve working conditions for our existing first responders, including investing in mental heath care for our first responders. We must ensure that our front line emergency medical services are well funded and appropriately staffed.

5. How will you incentivize the construction of more affordable housing?

We would significantly increase investments in nonprofit and cooperative housing, ensuring a long term supply of affordable homes. We would work with municipalities to streamline approval processes for affordable housing projects, and we’d create a new provincial land bank to acquire properties for development. Additionally, we would strengthen tenant protections to prevent rent increases and displacement.

6. Do you believe financialized landlords and outside investors are leading to higher rents in B.C.? If so, what should be done about it?

Yes, financialized landlords and outside investors are driving up rents. The BC Greens will implement a speculation tax on housing to deter speculative investments and foreign buyers. We will also create measures to prioritize housing for residents over corporate profit, ensuring homes remain affordable for people living and working in BC.

7. What will your party do to help low income people and the disabled?

Our platform has costed commitments to raise both disability and social assistance so that everyone in BC can live with dignity. We would expand public transit options, including doubling the number of buses within four years and remove fares on transit so anyone can use transit at any time. We would also invest in affordable housing and ensure access to mental health services so that no one is left behind.

8. The City of Coquitlam has been especially critical of the province’s small scale, multiunit housing legislation. Should the legislation be altered? If so, how?

We believe that local governments should have a say in housing developments, but we must also ensure that housing supply is able to continue to expand. The BC Greens would work with municipalities including Coquitlam to review existing legislation and ensure that municipalities have access to the $650 million dollars set aside for infrastructure upgrades across B.C. Collaboration with local stakeholders is essential to balancing growth with local needs.

9. Right now, there’s one homeless shelter in the Tri-Cities. Would you support the construction of a second shelter? If so, how and where? How will you help the region’s homeless population?

Yes, the BC Greens support the construction of additional shelters with wraparound services in our communities. We would work with local governments and community organizations to identify the best location for shelter housing in the Tri-Cities. Alongside emergency shelters, we would invest in providing more supportive housing and wraparound services to address the root causes of homelessness, including mental health support, chronic pain, addiction treatment, and job training programs.

10. Do you believe we need to reduce regulations for industry? Why or why not?

We believe that regulations should strike a balance between supporting businesses and protecting workers, communities, and the environment. The BC Greens would review regulations to ensure they are effective and efficient, but we would not support widespread deregulation or privatization of any industry. Environmental sustainability and worker rights must remain priorities, and any adjustments any regulations would be made with these values front and centre .

11. Under what conditions, if any, should an employer be able to require a sick note from an employee?

Employers should not require sick notes for short term illnesses, as this places unnecessary strain on both employees and the healthcare system. However, in cases of longer term absences or where there are legitimate concerns about abuse of sick leave, employers would retain the ability to request documentation.

12. Do we need to hire more teachers and/or counsellors in schools? Why or why not?

We need to hire more teachers, counsellors, and educational assistance province wide. We have seen a spike in population in British Columbia and correlating with that, an increase student enrolment. We must ensure that class sizes remain small, our teachers and education staff supported, and that students have access to the supports they need, especially when it comes to mental health. Hiring more educators and support staff will only improve learning outcomes and create a more inclusive environment for all students.

13. Some independent B.C. schools receive up to 50 percent of the funding given to public schools. Should B.C. continue to subsidize private and faith based schools?

The BC Greens believe that public funds should be used for public schools. While private and faith based schools may continue to receive some funding, our focus will be on ensuring that public schools are fully funded and that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their background or where they live.

14. Should B.C. bring back letter grades on report cards?

We believe in providing clear, meaningful feedback to students and parents, and ensuring that teachers can communicate this to the best of their ability. Any decision about report cards should be made in collaboration with educators, students, and families to ensure that the assessment system meets the needs of everyone.

15. What should be done with the Burrard Thermal site?

The BC Greens support transitioning the Burrard Thermal site to renewable energy production. Rather than continuing fossil fuel based energy generation, we would invest in clean, green energy projects that will provide high paying jobs while meeting BC’s energy needs.

16. How will you improve government transparency?

We are committed to increasing government transparency through measures such as expanding access to and removing the fee for Freedom of Information requests, ensuring there is timely disclosure of government spending, and creating stronger conflict of interest rules. Transparency is essential for maintaining public trust in government institutions.

17. Given the recent news of RCMP officers facing discipline for racist comments in a group chat, what will you do to ensure police officers can be trusted to enforce laws equitably?

The BC Greens will implement stronger oversight and accountability measures for law enforcement, including antiracism training and the establishment of an independent civilian led body to review incidents of police misconduct. We are committed to ensuring that all residents are treated equitably and fairly by law enforcement.

18. Do you accept the scientific consensus that human actions contribute to climate change? How will you ensure we reduce our emissions?

Both myself and the BC Greens fully accept the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change. We will reduce emissions by phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, investing in renewable energy, expanding public transit, and implementing our comprehensive plan to achieve net zero emissions in BC. Our policies will prioritize sustainability and environmental protection while creating new green jobs.

19. What steps should the next government take to balance B.C.’s budget?

The BC Greens have put forward our fully costed platform ensuring we follow the principles of responsible fiscal management, but still prioritizing investing in people. This approach includes ending fossil fuel subsidies and ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share by adding a new marginal tax rate of 22.5 percent for incomes over $350,000 per year and new marginal tax rate of 18 percent for corporate profits over $1 billion per year, adding a combined $804.5 million in funding for the provincial government. Balancing the budget should not come out of the wallets of everyday British Columbians.

20. Regarding TransLink, do you believe the current funding model is broken? If so, how will your government rectify the situation?

BC Greens are the only party that has committed to fully funding TransLink. If we do not fully fund TransLink, we will see the elimination of the West Coast Express, the majority of bus services in Port Coquitlam, and the push back of already needed upgrades and projects in the Tri-Cities. To solve this we would explore new revenue sources, including congestion pricing, expanding development cost charges, and shift funds away from highway construction and into public transit ensuring there is parity in funding. We are committed to expanding transit infrastructure, including breaking ground on a SkyTrain extension to Port Coquitlam by the end of 2026. We must make public transit accessible and reliable for everyone.