On May 9th, a provincial election will be held in British Columbia. Amnesty International is urging all candidates to make clear public commitments to closing crucial gaps in oversight, accountability, and service delivery that jeopardize the safety, health and well-being of many British Columbians and undermine human rights protection in the province.
We need your help! We’re asking all our supporters in British Columbia to help us ensure that human rights are part of this election.
Here’s how:
1. Learn more
Amnesty International has issued an open letter to all candidates in this election outlining our concerns, including:
- The rush to construct the $9 billion plus Site C dam >>> Learn more
- The failure to address the human rights impacts of the Mt Polley Mine disaster >>> Learn More
- Severe funding cuts for social services, including crucially important services for women living in poverty and violence survivors >>> Learn more
- Incomplete implementation of the recommendations of the provincial inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women >>> Learn more
- The failure to consider and address the specific ways that large-scale resource development projects can impact the lives of Indigenous women and girls. >>> Learn more
2. Contact Your Candidates
Find the candidates for your riding in the full list provided by BC Elections.
Contact your candidates by phone, email, or over social media to let them know that you’re concerned about human rights this election. Attend a candidates’ debate in your riding and raise Amnesty’s concerns.
Questions for Candidates:
- Will you support suspending the construction of the Site C dam until the impact on Treaty rights has been properly considered?
- Will you support a public inquiry into BC’s mining regulations to address concerns about approval, oversight, and compliance enforcement in BC’s mining sector?
- Will you support reversals to provincial cuts to frontline service organizations and social services for women living in poverty and violence survivors?
- Will you commit to working with Indigenous women’s organizations and other advocates to ensure full implementation of the recommendations of the provincial inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women?
- Will you support the inclusion of gender-based analysis in all decisions around resource development projects?
3. Tweet the Party Leaders
Send the party leaders a message over Twitter to let them know that you’re concerned about human rights this election.
4. Let us Know!
Email bcelection@amnesty.ca to tell us that you participated and to update us on the candidates’ responses.
