Rob Botterell
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robbotterell.bsky.social
Rob Botterell
@robbotterell.bsky.social
270 followers 13 following 130 posts
B.C. Green MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. Retired lawyer, negotiator, strategic consultant and change master… a Happy Warrior.
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robbotterell.bsky.social
The new Oil & Gas Royalty Framework is based on projections that the government has since admitted were grossly inaccurate. I have asked the Auditor-General to investigate.

At a minimum, the BC NDP must re-do their math and explain how they intend to change the provincial royalty system.

#bcpoli
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social B.C. Green Caucus @bcgreencaucus.bsky.social · 23h
With the Finance Minister’s admission that B.C.’s natural gas royalties are $531 million less than forecasted...

AND reports that the new Royalty Framework will bring in only about 1/3 of the royalties promised, the BC Greens are calling to immediately halt the Framework’s implementation.

#bcpoli
BC NDP promised 50% royalty rate, settle for 14% - BC Green Caucus
MEDIA RELEASEFor Immediate ReleaseSeptember 17, 2026 BC NDP promised 50% royalty rate, settle for 14% VANCOUVER, B.C. — Following the Finance Minister’s admission that B.C.’s natural gas royalties are...
bcgreencaucus.ca
September 17, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
emilylowan.bsky.social
"We have everything we need to build a prosperous province. But this government moves at a breakneck pace to service corporations, rolling out the red carpet for foreign-owned pipelines and AI data centres, while moving glacially to deliver on the public good." www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMVo...
Green Party of BC: Emily Lowan
YouTube video by Union of BC Municipalities
www.youtube.com
September 16, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
emilylowan.bsky.social
Went toe-to-toe with Mayor Brad West and Conservative MP Ellis Ross at Resource Works’ Get It Done event this week to deliver one message: for the sake of our economy, our workers, and our environment — BC needs a green industrial strategy. 💪 Join the bc greens today: bcgreens.ca/join
September 16, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
jervaler.bsky.social
Since CN Rail announced it would end its lease on the former BC Rail corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House in July 2025, we’ve seen a growing movement to save the line and provide long term freight and passenger rail.

#bcpoli #passengerrail
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social B.C. Green Caucus @bcgreencaucus.bsky.social · 2d
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Representatives from all levels of government gathered at the Union of BC Municipalities to urge provincial and federal governments to work together to revitalize the rail line connecting Vancouver and Prince George.

BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote's statement:

#bcpoli #cdnpoli
Campaign to save Vancouver–Prince George Rail Gathers Steam - BC Green Caucus
MEDIA RELEASEFor Immediate ReleaseSeptember 15, 2026 Campaign to save Vancouver–Prince George Rail Gathers Steam VANCOUVER, B.C. — Federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations government officials...
bcgreencaucus.ca
September 15, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreens.bsky.social
This is what fighting the oligarchs to fund our future looks like in practice.💪

The Tyee spoke with BC Green MLA Rob Botterrell on the "disturbing" lack of clarity on public information surrounding oil & gas royalties. Read excerpts below and check out the full article: shorturl.at/X1pr5
BC Changed a Law to Keep Gas Royalties Secret 'Improved confidentiality' for oil companies leaves the public without previously available payment data. BC natural gas operators pay royalties to the provincial government. But the public can no longer find out how much each company pays. The provincial government has decided that British Columbians are not entitled to know how much fossil fuel companies pay in royalties for the publicly owned oil and gas they extract from the ground. The province had previously released the information in response to two formal freedom of information requests. But less than a year after making those disclosures, the NDP government changed the law so that company-specific royalty payments would be shielded from public view. The province says it made the change to "improve confidentiality" for Shell, ARC, Petronas, Ovintiv and a handful of other companies operating in B.C.'s fossil-fuel-rich Peace River region. Those companies have dramatically increased drilling of methane gas and condensate in recent years, with much of the gas destined for a massive liquefaction and export facility in Kitimat and much of the condensate heading to Alberta, where the province's heavy oil producers use it to dilute their product and pipe it to refineries in the southern United States or to the Port of Vancouver for loading onto ocean tankers. But as drilling has ramped up, royalty revenues have plummeted by hundreds of millions of dollars, leading to questions about whether the public is getting a fair return for its resources. It was also recently revealed that the government badly overestimated the royalty revenues the public will receive from the oil and gas industry, leading to further criticism of Premier David Eby and the NDP.
September 11, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social
The gang’s all here! #UBCM2026 Union of B.C. Municipalities starts now 💪

#bcpoli
Photo of B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan, and MLAs Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell
September 14, 2026 at 7:27 PM
robbotterell.bsky.social
From @thetyee.ca:

By picking and choosing what information it chooses to release and what information it does not, Botterell said, the government fuels public distrust.

@bcgreencaucus.bsky.social

thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
BC Changed a Law to Keep Gas Royalties Secret | The Tyee
‘Improved confidentiality’ for oil companies leaves the public without previously available payment data.
thetyee.ca
September 9, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreens.bsky.social
BC Greens hold grief and demand change on International Overdose Awareness Day.
BC Greens hold grief and demand change on International Overdose Awareness Day This is a day of profound grief. In 2026 alone, nearly 800 British Columbians have lost their lives because of overdoses. British Columbians have lost parents, friends, neighbours, siblings, and children. As we grieve, we must continue to challenge the conditions that have led to this preventable harm. Deaths from toxic drugs are not inevitable, but the results of policy choices. Lives can, and must be saved by those who have the power to change these policies. How we honour those who have died is measured by how we treat those we can still keep safe.
August 31, 2026 at 9:58 PM
robbotterell.bsky.social
I’m heartbroken to hear of Joan Phillip’s passing today.

My heart goes out to the Grand Chief, Joan’s family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

This is a profound loss, and my deepest condolences are with everyone who is grieving.
August 29, 2026 at 12:19 AM
robbotterell.bsky.social
Last week, I wrote to the Information and Privacy Commissioner regarding the BC government’s decision to remove its directory.

Today, we received a response from the Commissioner confirming his office will review the matter.

I’m encouraged to see these concerns being taken seriously.
August 25, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
emilylowan.bsky.social
Keep climate on the agenda. Join the BC Greens.

bcgreens.ca/join/
August 20, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
emilylowan.bsky.social
I believe in better for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Better trans healthcare. Protection of SOGI. A provincial ban on conversion therapy. You can take a small step today by signing our petition to BAN conversion therapy in BC at our link in bio.

This movement is the medicine.
August 24, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social
@robbotterell.bsky.social spoke with @globalnews-bc-un.yvr.whims.io about the Province removing public access to a directory of government workers.

"This is the latest in a bunch of steps by the government to move away from open government," said Botterell, who wrote BC's original FOI Act.

#bcpoli
B.C. government ends public access to directory in place since 1930s | Globalnews.ca
Jody Toor, MLA for Langley-Willowbrook and government services critic, said a directory of this nature has been in place and available since the 1930s.
globalnews.ca
August 20, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social
"Extreme weather that is worsening wildfires across Canada is an indication the planet is warming. The scientifically proven cause is climate change, whose biggest driver is the production and burning of fossil fuels."

Great piece by @traceysaxby.bsky.social 👇

#bcpoli #greensky
traceysaxby.bsky.social Tracey Saxby @traceysaxby.bsky.social · Aug 18
Regional wildfires have triggered a state of emergency in B.C. for the fifth time in 10 years. Meanwhile, Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Carney's policies to expand LNG exports are adding fuel to the fire with no benefit for Canadians.

🔥Read my op-ed below:
Opinion: B.C.'s wildfires and fossil fuels: We need to connect the dots
Wildfire is a public cost of climate change yet there's no provincial acknowledgment they're exacerbated by domestic fossil fuel production
vancouversun.com
August 20, 2026 at 4:50 PM
robbotterell.bsky.social
We're still learning the details about changes to supports for children and youth with support needs, including those diagnosed with autism. MCFD has now provided a response to the questions I raised in July, and I believe it’s important to share that information with you.

#bcpoli
July 14, 2026 Rob Botterell, MLA Saanich North and the Islands BC Green Party E-mail: c/o Laura.Ferreira@leg.bc.ca Dear MLA Botterell: Thank you for your letter of June 24, 2026, regarding the implementation of the new Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) service model and the BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit. I appreciate your recognition of the government's commitment to increasing supports for children and youth with disabilities and your acknowledgement that extending direct funding beyond autism addresses a longstanding inequity. Like you, I believe children and youth with disabilities and their families deserve a system that is more equitable, more responsive to their needs, and better able to provide support throughout British Columbia. The redesign of CYSN services was developed to address longstanding inequities in access to supports. It includes expanded community-based services, the new Disability Benefit, and the Disability Supplement. Together, these components are intended to improve access to supports for substantially more children and youth than the previous diagnosis- based system, while ensuring that children and youth with the greatest disability-related support needs receive enhanced direct funding. You expressed concern regarding the eligibility threshold for the Disability Benefit. The Disability Benefit has a specific purpose within the redesigned system. It is intended to provide enhanced direct funding to children and youth whose long-term disabilities result in the most significant and ongoing disability-related support needs, requiring intensive and sustained assistance. This reflects government's objective of ensuring that those children and youth requiring the greatest level of disability-related support receive the greatest level of direct financial support, while broadening access to services and other direct supports for many more families through the redesigned CYSN system. You also requested greater clarity regarding how eligibility will be determined. The Disability Benefit has a single eligibility standard based on significant and ongoing disability-related support needs. Children and youth may demonstrate that they meet this standard through two pathways. Some children qualify through a direct admission pathway because existing diagnoses or clinical information clearly demonstrate that they meet the eligibility standard. Other children may demonstrate eligibility through a needs-based review that considers the overall nature, intensity, persistence, and functional impact of their disability-related support needs. This approach recognizes that children with the same diagnosis may experience very different levels of disability-related support needs and ensures that eligibility is determined based on individual circumstances rather than diagnosis alone. The Ministry recognizes that families and professionals are seeking greater clarity regarding the eligibility approach and how decisions will be made in practice. As implementation progresses, the Ministry is continuing to work with clinical experts, implementation partners, and the Expert Reference Group to refine operational guidance, strengthen public information, and ensure families and professionals have a clear understanding of the eligibility standard, the pathways through which children may demonstrate eligibility, the range of information that may be considered, and how eligibility decisions are made. You also raised concerns regarding communication with families and service providers during implementation. I recognize that this transition represents significant change for families, and that uncertainty can create anxiety. The Ministry is committed to providing timely and accurate information throughout implementation. Since announcing the redesign, the Ministry has written directly to affected families, launched dedicated web resources and frequently asked questions, es… You also expressed concerns regarding community-based services, particularly for families requiring individualized supports and those living in rural or remote communities. Community-based services are intended to complement, not replace, direct funding. Families have diverse needs, and no single service model will meet every child's circumstances. The redesigned system includes individualized supports, family-centred services, and group-based options, recognizing that flexibility is essential to meeting the diverse needs of children and families. I would also like to note that the expanded community-based services will not exclusively include group-based options, and that one- on-one support will be available. Planning for service expansion also considers regional differences and the unique challenges experienced by rural, remote, and Indigenous communities as services continue to expand across the province. I agree that ongoing engagement is essential to successful implementation. The redesigned CYSN system has been informed by years of extensive engagement with thousands of participants, and the Ministry continues to work closely with families, Indigenous partners, clinicians, service providers, and the Expert Advisory Committee as implementation proceeds. This engagement continues to inform operational planning, communications, and implementation activities to support children, youth, and families throughout the transition. Our government remains committed to implementing a redesigned CYSN system that provides more equitable access to supports while responding to the diverse needs of children and youth with disabilities across British Columbia. I appreciate you taking the time to share the perspectives of your constituents. Thank you again for writing and for your continued interest in this important work. Sincerely, Jodie Wickens
August 17, 2026 at 7:05 PM
robbotterell.bsky.social
We are encouraged to hear that Minister Brenda Bailey’s cancer diagnosis is treatable, and we wish her strength and a full recovery in the months ahead.

#bcpoli
August 14, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social
"BC is facing a new perennial emergency. ‘Fire weather’ due to our changing climate is responsible for uncontrollable wildfires, enormous costs, and immense suffering," BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote told The Watershed yesterday.

Great piece by the Lions Bay Watershed 💚

#bcpoli #greensky
MLA Tells Governments to 'Wake Up'
Valeriote addresses fossil fuel choices in light of BC wildfiresLocal MLA Jeremy Valeriote is asking both the province and the federal government to wake up when it comes to support for fossil fuel pr...
www.lionsbaywatershed.ca
August 13, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
emilylowan.bsky.social
These are times of unimaginable tragedy.

I am sending my thoughts to the family of the woman who lost her life. To the evacuees, I wish you safety and a quick return.

I thank the brave firefighters and first responders working to keep British Columbians safe in these horrific conditions.
80-year-old woman killed in Summerland, B.C., wildfire: RCMP | CBC News
RCMP have confirmed a fatality in the explosive wildfire that forced mass evacuations from Summerland, B.C., over the weekend.
www.cbc.ca
August 10, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
emilylowan.bsky.social
A provincial state of emergency has been declared. Please stay safe, and find resources through this link:
August 8, 2026 at 8:20 PM
robbotterell.bsky.social
Congratulations to 3 Salt Spring residents for your recognition from BC Honours!

Dr. Bristol Foster gets the Order of British Columbia for decades of environmental stewardship. Jewel Eldstrom & Cherie Geauvreau, founders of the Copper Kettle Community Partnership, get the Medal of Good Citizenship.
Island residents granted provincial honours - Salt Spring Island news
Three Salt Spring Island residents have been recognized by two provincial awards programs for contributions to their community and beyond, with announcements
gulfislandsdriftwood.com
August 5, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social
4/ The Supreme Court ruling also exposed a concerning lack of mental health expertise from Dr. Daniel Vigo, who has directed much of the BC NDP’s mental health policy in recent years.

Read the 289-page judgement here:
www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/2...
2026 BCSC 1416 Council of Canadians with Disabilities v. British Columbia (Attorney General)
Council of Canadians with Disabilities v. British Columbia (Attorney General),
www.bccourts.ca
August 5, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreencaucus.bsky.social
2/ The BC Green Caucus welcomes the recent BC Supreme Court decision, which found that provisions in BC’s Mental Health Act for involuntary treatment are a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

#bcpoli

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
'Blanket' forced treatment of involuntary psychiatric patients unconstitutional, B.C. court rules | CBC News
Provisions in British Columbia's involuntary care regime that allow forced psychiatric treatment, regardless of a person's capacity to make health care decisions, are unconstitutional, the B.C. Suprem...
www.cbc.ca
August 5, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
jervaler.bsky.social
Congratulations to the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, and Health Justice, on their recent win in the BC Supreme Court. This decision recognizes the dignity, autonomy, and rights of all people, including those experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.

#bcpoli
August 5, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
bcgreens.bsky.social
BC Greens Leader Emily Lowan's statement on our current Wildfire Emergency. #bcwildfires
Leader's Statement: Wildfires are an emergency. The BC NDP should act like it. "Apocalyptic wildfires are tearing through communities in BC, while the BC NDP refuses to acknowledge the reality that so many families are now experiencing firsthand: this is an emergency. It is not a coincidence British Columbians have lived through the worst wildfires they've ever seen during the BC NDP's tenure; it is the BC NDP's policy choices that have created these conditions. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar touts wildfire prevention measures, as communities reap the consequences of his unrestrained razing of BC's forests. Meanwhile, Premier Eby proudly diverts billions of taxpayer dollars to foreign LNG corporations - the very corporations responsible for the climate emergency causing our wildfires.
August 4, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Reposted by Rob Botterell
emilylowan.bsky.social
As wildfires grow, please take steps to make sure you and your community stay safe.

By pre-registering for Emergency Support Services, you make it quicker and easier to get support during evacuations.

This is critical to ensure you have access to basic necessities while under evacuation orders.
Emergency Support Services Homepage Emergency Support Services Homepage - Emergency Support Services
The BC Evacuee Helpline (1-800-387-4258) is open extended hours 7:30am till 9:00pm due to current wildfires. Access Emergency Support Services (ESS) If you have been evacuated, you may get basic suppo...
ESS.gov.bc.ca
July 27, 2026 at 6:18 PM