The Election: Praise for Any Platform?

The Green Party platform does not have a separate section on transit. This seems to me to be a welcome change since it gets treated as part of dealing with wider issues. For instance under the heading of “increasing the supply of affordable housing”

35.
Lead a comprehensive rethink of zoning to ensure it is consistent with government objectives such as the provision of affordable housing. Issues for consideration include densification, especially along transit corridors; revitalizing neighborhoods surrounding schools; cultural and social amenities; and complete communities.

under “strategy for public assets”

✔
INVEST IN FREQUENT, AFFORDABLE PUBLIC TRANSIT
143.
Provide an additional $25 million per year to address frequency of service and affordable fares;
✔✔
LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDING
144.
Invest an additional $152 million in capital expenditures to fully match the federal contribution of $460 million for the public transit infrastructure.
✔✔
FUND PUBLIC TRANSIT
145.
Work with local governments to address funding for community and regional transportation infrastructure, and will examine tools such as mobility pricing to manage congestion and generate funds for public transportation upgrades.
✔✔
INVEST IN CLEAN TECHNOLOGY
146.
Promote investment in clean transportation initiatives and technology that creates jobs and economic activity without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

In the Appendix on climate action transit is cited frequently as part of the broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions including this commitment

Energy efficient community design can also play a major role in reducing emissions. Sprawl has been a feature of development in many cities across BC, as people move out of urban centres in search of affordable accommodation. This creates headaches for transportation planning, especially the provision of cost efficient public transit. It is not possible to reverse existing sprawl; however, action can be taken to reduce or eliminate further expansion of the built-up area. An efficient public transit system requires population density along major routes to be a key consideration in community planning.

The Climate has to be the big issue.
This is from the the BC Green Party.
“British Columbians have been left without much credible opposition on the climate front. In 2009, the B.C. NDP ran on “axe the tax,” and they support new fossil fuel projects like LNG. In 2017, their climate plan only commits to doing what is required by the federal government, and does not include a concrete plan for achieving their targets for 2030.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue. Acting on climate is about positioning B.C. to succeed in the emerging economy of the future and the world that we will leave for our children.
We have a moral imperative to leave the world better off than we found it. If we don’t, future generations will ask why B.C., one of the places that had the most opportunity to be a leader on climate change, refused to act.
A B.C. Green government will take bold action on climate change that will position B.C. to be a leader in the low-carbon economy.”