MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 22, 2007
B.C. LIBERALS SHUT DOWN DEBATE ON ANTIFREEZE BILL
TO PROTECT PETS AND CHILDREN
VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberals’ decision to shut down debate on the proposed legislation for safe antifreeze puts pets and children at risk, New Democrat MLA Scott Fraser said today.
“When the legislation was brought forward today in the legislature, the Campbell Government struck it down on a technicality in 20 minutes,” said Fraser, NDP MLA for Alberni- Qualicum.
The Promotion of Safe Antifreeze Act was presented by Fraser this morning in the legislature. The Private Member’s Bill would bring in an incremental ban on the sale of antifreeze containing ethylene glycol.
“Two ounces of ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a dog, one teaspoon can kill a cat and two tablespoons can be hazardous to children,” continued Fraser. “The bill would have legislated B.C. to use an existing safer ingredient. When it was shut down, B.C. families lost.”
Fraser’s bill was endorsed by a wide variety of groups, including B.C. Society for the Protection of Animals (B.C. SPCA), the David Suzuki Foundation, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, the B.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada, and the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society.
A transcript of this morning’s debate is available upon request or can be accessed at http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/8-8.htm
Media contact: Edward May (250) 208-2554