Tzeporah Berman, Gwen Barlee and Rex Weyler are among the high-profile environmentalists endorsing George Heyman in his bid to represent the BC NDP in Vancouver-Fairview.

Heyman is a star candidate for the NDP this election, one in which the party is taking a more hard-line stance on environmental issues. Heyman, who served as president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union, is currently on a leave of absence from his role as executive director of the Sierra Club of B.C.

The group released a statement today noting Heyman's leadership in the labour, social and environmental movements.

The statement reads in part: "We're pleased to see an NDP platform that will protect our fragile coast and old growth forests, fight climate change with meaningful commitments and action, protect endangered species and habitats, and institute rigorous science-based made-in-BC environmental assessments and standards."

Heyman is up against incumbent Liberal Margaret MacDiarmid, and BC Green candidate Matthew Pedley. In 2009, MacDiarmid won Vancouver-Fairview with 47 per cent of the vote, compared to second-place NDP candidate Jenn McGinn who earned 42 per cent. The Tyee has identified as the riding as one to watch this election.

The NDP's position against the proposed Enbridge pipeline has won favour amongst environmentalists in the province -- a marked departure from the 2009 election, when its platform to 'axe' the carbon tax alienated many in this sector.

The statement is signed by Tzeporah Berman, Ben West and Sven Biggs of Forest Ethics Advocacy; Valerie Langer, Joe Foy, Gwen Barlee, Devon Page, Sarah Cox, Karen Campbell, Susan Howatt and Kevin Washbrook of Voters Taking Action on Climate Change; and Rex Weyler of Tanker Free BC.

Colleen Kimmett reports for The Tyee.