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Platform

I believe platforms are a consultative, collaborative process. While my leadership campaign represents many policies I’m passionate about, I’m excited to work with policymakers and Greens across the province to expand and improve it for our next election platform.

I welcome your feedback at leader@jonathankerr4bc.com.

Environment and climate

Climate change

The BC NDP has not reduced emissions, or protected British Columbians from the climate crisis. Our climate policy will deliver clean transportation, make energy cheaper, our homes safe and free from pollution, while keeping our promise to tackle climate change.

Implement a moratorium on new fossil fuel development, including new fracking wells.
Stop approvals of the PGRT pipeline, allowing the BC-Liberal era certificate to expire.
End all subsidies and public financing for the oil and gas industry, including capital cost erecovery and discounted electricity rates for LNG facilities.
Provide a strong provincial voice to stand up to Alberta and protect our coast from oil tankers.
Reinvigorate CleanBC and implement a new plan that will actually achieve the original climate goals, with action plans for every sector, objectives, timetables, binding targets, sector-specific caps and annual progress review.
Introduce a windfall tax on oil and gas profits.
Ban fossil fuel advertisements.
Invest $20 million annually in small-scale distributed solar projects.
Develop a jobs plan that prepares the BC workforce to benefit from job opportunities arising from climate and energy plans world-wide.
Mandate a minimum of 50% equity ownership for First Nations in large renewable energy projects.
Invest $50 million in a Youth Climate Corps to provide good-paying jobs for youth in restoring and protecting natural systems.
Ensure all BC climate policy is affordable and British Columbians can access clean technologies at reasonable prices. Including:
- Double rebates for solar and PFAS-free heat pumps
- Restore EV rebates and mandates

Forests

BC’s forest policies remain stuck in the last century. Under my leadership, BC Greens will immediately halt primary forest logging, ban raw log exports, expand community decision making and support Indigenous-led forestry initiatives to maximize benefits for forestry-dependent communities.

Immediately implement a logging moratorium on all primary forests, including old growth forests, which are essential to biodiversity, seed banking, and soil health.
Carry out the Old Growth Strategic review recommendations.
Increase the number of forestry jobs by re-opening mills in small towns throughout B.C.
Prioritize access to timber for value-added producers, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), over raw log exports.
Support research and development in engineered wood products (e.g., mass timber, cross-laminated timber) using second-growth lumber.
Upgrade processing facilities to increase capacity for high-value manufacturing and secondary processing.
Fund training and upskilling programs to support workers finding new job opportunities.
Allocate $100 million per year in funding for wildfire prevention and mitigation measures, including fuel management treatments.

Water and watersheds

My plan for BC’s freshwater resources is to radically improve watershed security. Without it, we can’t defend our communities from floods, ensure there’s enough water for fish and farmers, or provide safe and clean drinking water for every community.

Achieve 30% land and water protection by 2030, in consultation with First Nations.
Provide $100 million to fund the establishment and ongoing support of watershed boards across the province, with the goal of having watershed boards in every community.
Introduce a moratorium on new water bottling facilities and review of existing licences.
Creation of Agricultural Water Reserves to protect water for agricultural uses and to support local food security.
Create a strategy for microplastics that prevents water pollution.

Ecology and species at risk

BC's ecosystems and the wildlife that reside in them are of critical importance to British Columbians. My plan treats our precious ecosystems with the care and respect they need to thrive.

Immediately enact Species at Risk legislation to safeguard vulnerable species.
Transition all open net-pen salmon farms in BC to land-based aquaculture systems.
Restore and protect salmon habitat to ensure the survival of key species.
Invest in Indigenous-led conservation and Indigenous Guardians programs.

Education

There is no better investment we can make than education. Setting up BC’s young people for success means setting up our province for success. The BC NDP has left K-12 schools chronically underfunded, forcing schools to cut things like counsellors and extra-curricular programs. Meanwhile, they’ve failed to modernize our post-secondary education system, causing our province to miss out on opportunities to better position our workforce for a changing economy. Jonathan’s plan will ensure students get the support and skills they need to succeed.

Pre-k

Develop free, universal pre-Kindergarten integrated into the Ministry of Education.
Simplify the certification process for teachers from other provinces or countries to attract more qualified educators to BC.
Provide paid final practicums for teachers and Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), offering financial support during their essential training periods.
Create a universal Early Childhood Education funding model to reduce administrative burdens for childcare providers. This will address wage grids, space creation, licensing, staffing, and fee reduction initiatives.*
Implement gradual increases to the ECE wage grid, and reach $30-40 per hour by 2026.*

K-12

Modernize operational funding and increase grants for school districts to ensure every school has the resources to meet instructional and student support needs.*
Deliver universal free school lunches, partnering with local farmers and producers to deliver healthy food to all kids in BC.
Collaborate across ministries and the construction industry to create pre-approved universal school building designs, which will be reevaluated every 10 years to ensure they meet climate-resilient standards.*
Restore funding for the recently cut Student and Family Affordability Fund, to ensure all students have equitable access to the learning tools they need.
Create a youth mental health contingency fund to ensure counselors and other mental health initiatives are not cut from schools due to budget shortfalls.
Ensure educators have the resources to equip students with critical thinking skills and knowledge about: our electoral systems and the responsibilities of citizenship, the World Wars, the Holocaust, the Nakba, the Cold War, apartheid South Africa, human rights movements, impacts of colonialism, and other critical moments in history.*
Ensure every school district has sufficient funding to provide accessible recreation programs. Invest in outdoor education to promote leadership skills and confidence in youth.*

Post-secondary and Skills

Work with post-secondary institutions to overhaul our system to better prepare students to pursue entrepreneurship and well-paying jobs in industries that align with BC’s economic development strategy.
Create a Skills Strategy that invests in training, upskilling and apprenticeships to empower British Columbians to pursue well-paid, sustainable careers in clean industries such as construction, clean energy and technology.
Create a Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to ensure that BC is prepared for the job market shifts arising out of Artificial Intelligence and can mitigate challenges and take advantage of economic opportunities.
Make accessing post-secondary education more equitable and affordable by:
- Increasing the amount students can receive through the BC Access Grant and extending eligibility to graduate students.
- Expanding eligibility for student loan forgiveness, prioritizing in-demand occupations and underserved communities.
- Creating a dedicated funding stream for First Nations-mandated institutes.
Invest $50 million in a Youth Climate Corps to provide good-paying jobs for youth in restoring and protecting natural systems.

*Sourced from the 2024 BC Green Party platform

Economy

Economic development

Our province is at a crossroads as the other parties try to capitalize on tariff anxiety to double down on risky raw resource extraction. But expanding the industries that are making climate change worse only puts us at greater risk. To build a strong, stable economy we need a clear strategy that supports clean industries, reduces emissions and provides people with skills for well-paying jobs that will last long into the future.

Create a green infrastructure strategy that will advance BC’s economic development province-wide.
Create a recycling infrastructure strategy that can recover and repurpose valuable materials i.e. construction materials, plastics, rare earth metals, etc to create a vibrant circular economy and new economic opportunities out of existing resources
Invest in zero waste circuits to rural communities across BC based on successful projects of the BC First Nations Zero Waste Program that can feed into circular economy infrastructure

Ensure government procurement policies first benefit local contractors in public projects and government contracts.
Expand the Clean Incentive Vehicle (CIVC) program to enable retrofitted electric vehicles to be eligible for grants.

Jobs and skills

One of the reasons British Columbians are struggling financially is that our incomes have not kept pace with the cost of living. We need to support people to transition to well-paying jobs that will also help our province develop a strong clean economy.

Increase support for the Youth Climate Corps, providing well-paying opportunities for young people while helping meet our climate and environmental goals.
Create a Skills Strategy that invests in training, upskilling and apprenticeships to empower British Columbians to pursue well-paid, sustainable careers in clean industries such as construction, clean energy and technology.
Work with post-secondary institutions to overhaul our system to better prepare students to pursue entrepreneurship and well-paying jobs in industries that align with BC’s economic development strategy.
Make accessing post-secondary education more equitable and affordable by:
- Increasing the amount students can receive through the BC Access Grant and extending eligibility to graduate students.
- Expanding eligibility for student loan forgiveness, prioritizing in-demand occupations and underserved communities.
- Creating a dedicated funding stream for First Nations-mandated institutes.

Strengthening Democracy

Faith in democracy and trust in government is waning, yet it’s never been more critical to have an engaged citizenry to tackle our problems. We are at a crossroads where we need to make clear choices about the future of our climate, our economy and our leadership, and we need to restore peoples’ faith in our democratic system. The other parties don’t want change - they like being able to concentrate their power. My plan would reinvigorate our democracy and give British Columbians more say in the future of our province.

Lower the voting age to 16.
Implement a system of proportional representation that is more representative of British Columbians’ choices and hold a referendum after two election cycles.
Implement a standing citizens assembly to meet every two years to evaluate key policies.
Establish and invest in more neighbourhood community associations.
Remove the fee for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and require all government departments and ministers to respond to requests within the legislative timeframes.
Support Indigenous communities in meaningful consultation by providing appropriate resources and ensuring their input is thoroughly considered in government decision-making.
Enforce a minimum two-year stand-down period between holding a designated office in government and working in a lobbying role.

Energy security and innovation

Energy and security go hand in hand. In British Columbia, the vast majority of energy used is for transportation, heating, and industrial production—almost all of which is dirty and controlled by out-of-province interests. B.C. is neither clean nor secure; in fact, we're incredibly vulnerable. It’s time to pair new tools with proven ideas to drive innovation and restore B.C.’s position as a North American clean energy powerhouse. Under our plan, British Columbians will regain control of their energy future.

Supporting low-Carbon choices

Nobody in this province should feel insecure about energy. Alongside more household incentives to convert to heat pumps, switch to EVs, and add rooftop solar, we’ll provide new credits to people living low-carbon lifestyles. These investments will be paid for by a new suite of duties applied to energy exports and new permitting fees applied to a wider range of air polluters.

Low Carbon Family Credits

Single family households emitting fewer than three tonnes of CO2 per household per year will receive a low carbon living credit of $1,000 per year
E.V. rebates will be restored.

Low Carbon Individual Credits

Individuals who live in apartments heated with electricity or units emitting fewer than 0.5 tonnes of CO2 per year will receive a low carbon living credit of $500 per year
Individuals over 18 who are not registered vehicle owners will receive a $500 per year mobility credit.

Low Carbon construction

Ban oil and gas hookups in new builds.

Restoring energy sovereignty

We’ll lock in energy security and independence by reintroducing foreign and out-of-province ownership restrictions on corporations generating or transmitting B.C. energy.

Pivoting from Fracking to Geothermal in the Northeast

The same tools and technology needed to connect two vertical wells to create a radiator-like geothermal energy system are being used to frack gas.
We’ll guarantee the job security of our energy workers in northeast B.C. as they develop geothermal heating and generation projects that benefit their community, instead of foreign owned energy corporations.

BC Energy Transmission and Security Bill

We’ll bring back the restrictions on out-of-province ownership of energy corporations killed by the Gordon Campbell Liberals.
In our new BC Energy Transmission and Security Bill, the maximum stake a foreign or out-of-province corporation can take in projects that develop or transmit B.C energy will be limited to 49%.

increasing B.C.’s supply of clean electricity

B.C. Greens will inject new power into our economy by doubling generation and building a 21st-century grid. We’ll execute North America’s fastest pivot off oil and gas by incentivizing the electrification of everything across the Province. We’ll open grid access to ensure households, businesses, cities, and First Nations can be generators, utilities, or both. With new distributed solar and major new investments in wind and geothermal, clean energy will become abundant, affordable, and accessible.

BC Municipal Utilities Initiative

We’ll make it easy for municipalities to become utilities and partner with businesses and residents to generate surplus energy that will benefit their communities. By way of example, 35% of the rooftops in the city of Prince George can accommodate solar panels.

Indigenous Utilities Generation and Transmission Act

Any new generation project owned by and located on an Indian Reserve or the traditional territory of a BC First Nation can become a utility under the Energy Act
Generation from an indigenous utility can be sold directly to any member of the nation regardless of where they live in B.C.

Home and Business Grid Modernization Act

New incentives for home and business rooftop solar
Fast track regulations allowing vehicle-to-home and vehicle to grid integration

Reconciliation and human rights

Reconciliation

The BC Greens have been leading on reconciliation efforts, working hard to pass UNDRIP legislation and standing up against the BC NDP’s recent efforts to undermine it with Bills 14 and 15. Reconciliation is at a critical moment as the BC NDP’s failure to proactively implement UNDRIP and fairly negotiate with First Nations has created uncertainty and led to Conservative fear-mongering and expensive legal disputes. As Leader, Jonathan will take a proactive, respectful approach that advances reconciliation and restores public confidence.

Repeal Bills 14 and 15 to uphold BC’s legal obligations under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and demonstrate a commitment to working in good faith with First Nations as true partners in decision-making.
Establish an expert advisory committee comprising specialists in Indigenous rights, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and constitutional law.*
Co-develop a mechanism with Indigenous peoples for resolving Indigenous-Crown disputes proactively.*
Recognize all Indigenous governments formed in alignment with the principles of Indigenous self-determination, removing limitations related to ‘Indian Act’ bands and those incorporated under provincial statutes. *
Develop stable-long term funding streams for Indigenous governments, comparable to other levels of government, allowing them to carry out their duties and make long-term investment and planning decisions.
Enact an Indigenous Languages Act, which affirms that Indigenous languages are a fundamental and valued part of British Columbia’s heritage. *
Enable the use of all Indigenous languages on government-issued identification, ensuring that people can reclaim their names in their original language at no cost.*
Review the Land Act to ensure its alignment with the inherent rights of First Nations peoples and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This process will be conducted transparently, with opportunities for public consultation across British Columbia.*
Establish the Island Coastal Economic Trust as a permanent fund with an initial investment of at least $150 million, and explore the creation of similar trusts to promote reconciliation and prosperity for other Nations around the province.

* Sourced from the BC Greens 2024 election platform.

Human rights

Many of the 6 green core principles - respect for diversity, social justice and non-violence - pertain to human rights. This issue is critical to our identity as a Party. That’s why Jonathan was one of the first elected officials in BC to call for a ceasefire in Gaza in 2023. Under Jonathan’s leadership, the BC Greens will always be at the forefront of standing up for human rights in BC.

Stand up for peace and human rights on issues that matter to British Columbians, including continuing to call on the federal government to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, to implement an unambiguous two-way arms embargo with Israel and to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Ensure educators have the resources to equip students with critical thinking skills and knowledge about: our electoral systems and the responsibilities of citizenship, the World Wars, the Holocaust, the Nakba, the Cold War, apartheid South Africa, human rights movements, impacts of colonialism, and other critical moments in history.
In consultation with British Columbians, advocates and community groups, create a consistent global conflict resolution policy to determine when and how to use British Columbia’s economic power to help resolve conflicts and promote peace.
Commission an independent review of prison conditions, including the use of solitary confinement, to ensure that they meet humane standards and respect human rights.
Commit to using disaggregated data to eliminate barriers that racialized, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQ+ people face in accessing public spaces and essential services.
Ensure that all people can access reproductive health services, at a time and a place that meets their needs.
Introduce legislation to prevent the misuse of nondisclosure agreements in cases of sexual assault and harassment.

COST OF LIVING and housing

Cost of living

The affordability crisis has persisted no matter which of the old big parties is in government. We need bold solutions that recognize that by investing in British Columbians, we’re investing in a stronger province.

Provide free Public Transit for all British Columbians.
Expand public transit routes and options.
Work with stakeholders and federal partners to continue to advance a Guaranteed Liveable Basic Income.
Develop free, universal pre-Kindergarten integrated into the Ministry of Education.
Deliver universal free school lunches, partnering with local farmers and producers to deliver healthy food to all kids in BC,
Partner with food banks to expand services and options to support British Columbians struggling with food security and costs.
Increase social and disability assistance rates to move people above the poverty line.
Remove clawbacks, including the spousal cap, to ensure individuals receive the full support they need.
Make the tax system more progressive so that the wealthy pay their fair share and public services and climate action are adequately funded.

Housing

Everyone in BC should have a safe, comfortable and secure place to call home. We need to move away from for-profit, luxury development to building whole communities that reflect the needs of the people who live there.

Construct more co-op, non-profit, and non-market rental housing.
Incentivize more family housing (3+ bedrooms) units for all new purposely-built rentals.
Protect renters by implementing vacancy control measures.
Create a single, equitable income-tested housing grant for renters and homeowners.
Provide more infrastructure funding to support municipalities who are building affordable housing.
Invest in wrap-around housing solutions like the Village Model to meet unhoused people where they’re at and support them to have a safe place to sleep and to meet their basic needs.
Expand investments in electrical service upgrades to support low carbon housing.

Health and Wellbeing

Health care

Our healthcare system has been pushed to the brink by decades of shortsighted decision-making and a failure to listen to healthcare providers and patients. We can build a health care system that focuses not just on treating illness, but on keeping people healthy at every stage of life, by putting patients and health care providers back at the centre of our system.

Ensure everyone in BC has a personal family doctor or nurse practitioner by increasing training spots and following best practices in recruiting.
Focus on preventative care to keep more British Columbians healthy and out of hospital.
Actively involve patients in the design of health systems and care pathways.
Develop a rural health care strategy, to stop the closures of rural emergency rooms and maintain services.
Stabilize funding for hospitalists with salaried positions.
Increase support for interdisciplinary teams, including clinical pharmacists, mental health counsellors, dieticians, midwives, and others.
Incentivize clinicians, clinics, and hospitals that innovate to find efficiencies and cost-savings, while still providing high quality care.
Move away from fee-for-service models to salaried/capitated models of care.
Increase the number of Community Health Centres.
Enhance supports to help seniors who wish to stay in their own home.
Review criteria for EDRDs (Expensive drugs for rare diseases) so that it is consistent with up-to-date data and scientific evidence.
Conduct a comprehensive, independent health impact assessment of the LNG and fracking industry in BC.

Mental Health

The brain is part of the body - there is no reason why we should treat it as separate from our public health care system. People of all walks of life are experiencing mental health challenges, at great cost to their quality of life and to our province. It’s time to move towards integrating mental health care under MSP and addressing the root causes of our mental health crisis.

Include six visits to a mental health professional, such as a counsellor or psychologist, under the Medical Services Plan (MSP) annually, ensuring early access to mental health support for all British Columbians.
Integrate mental health as the fourth option in 911 emergency services to accommodate mental health crises that do not align with the traditional ambulance, fire or police options
Develop evidence-based standards of care for all mental health and substance use treatment services in BC.
Create a youth mental health contingency fund to ensure counselors and other mental health initiatives are not cut from schools due to budget shortfalls.
Recognize the intersectional causes of the mental health crisis and create a task force focused on how BC can make strategic investments to move from a place of crisis to prevention.