This is an ongoing, bi-weekly series by the Osoyoos Times putting questions to the candidates in the 2019 federal election in October.
This week’s question:
If you could only focus on one issue in this election, what would it be and why?
Richard Cannings, New Democratic Party
The most critical issue in this election campaign, the most critical issue of our time, is action against climate change. Last week the House of Commons voted in favour of a motion that declared we were in a climate emergency, a climate crisis. The next day the Liberal government okayed the permits for the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline, a project that will lock us into expanded oil production in the oil sands and increase our greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come. It was a telling juxtaposition of contradictory policies that illustrates how Canada needs better climate leadership.
Last Thursday we had the Minister of Natural Resources, Amarjeet Sohi, before us in committee, and I asked him about this contradiction. How could he justify the Orwellian plan to build a pipeline and use the “profits” for climate action? Before we can even get those funds we’ll have to spend $10 billion to build the pipeline, on top of the $4.5 billion we spent to purchase the project. We should be spending those amounts now, to put people to work in good jobs across Canada in clean energy projects.
The NDP plan “Power to Change” sets meaningful climate targets, legislates those targets into law so that successive governments must meet them, and creates 300,000 jobs in the energy and related sectors while carrying out projects that will actually let us meet those targets. The cost? About $15 billion over four years, the same cost as building a pipeline.
We can do this. But we have to do it together, across party lines and across provincial boundaries. After living through year after year of floods, fires, tornados, droughts and other catastrophic weather events, Canadians are ready to tackle climate change—they just need a government that will step up and help with the job.
Connie Denesiuk, Liberal Party of Canada
Our government has a responsibility to act in the best interest of current – and future generations of Canadians. Therefore, I will champion and support action on climate change that is based on evidence and science. Additionally, I will help to ensure that Canada continues to be a global leader in climate action. Here in the South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding, our communities have experienced the effects of climate change first hand, evidenced by floods, forest fires and drought.
Putting a price on pollution, banning many single use plastics, phasing out coal, offering incentives for electric vehicles, expanding protections for our water and land are all positive steps the Federal Government has taken, but more needs to be done. We must continue to invest in innovation and technology as we find new and better ways to address our need for energy, products and resources.
That said, a strong economy is necessary to fund the full scope of Canada’s needs, including action on climate change. I agree with Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie’s assertion that: “The economic horse pulls the social cart”. Since 2015, Canadians have created over a million new jobs, seen real wages rising at the fastest pace in over a decade, unemployment levels lowest in 40 years, and the largest financial gains accruing to low and middle income Canadians. Our economic growth has placed first and second of the G-7 nations in the last two years. Maintaining Canada’s strong economy is vital to the South Okanagan-West Kootenay’s environmental, social and economic success.Other key issues such as infrastructure and education investments, affordable and accessible housing, health care, public safety, veteran and senior supports – all require that we simultaneously take serious action to protect our environment. The well-being of future generations depend on bold, global climate action now.
Helena Konanz, Conservative Party of Canada
If I could only focus on only one issue in this election, it would be the Federal Neglect of our region. We as tax payers and citizens send the lion’s share of our taxes to Ottawa. When we are in times of need, we need Ottawa to be there for us, and that is just not happening. A clear example of this is what has occurred in Grand Forks, a community that, until recently, was virtually ignored for critically needed federal funding after 2018 catastrophic flooding. Many downtown businesses are still closed, and many residents are still unable to return to their homes. It took over a year for the announcement of funding to come forward. That is unconscionable. Another example of federal neglect in this riding is with the town of Oliver, as requests for help to restore much needed irrigation infrastructure, vital for the economic viability of the agriculture sector, continues to be ignored by Mr. Trudeau and his Liberal Government. I believe this needs to change and that is why I am running to be your voice in Ottawa.
Editor’s note: The Green Party candidate, Tara Howse, will be featured in the next edition. Also, the answer given by candidate Helena Konanz differs from that in the June 27 print edition of the Osoyoos Times. An announcement regarding funding for Grand Forks flooding recovery occurred shortly after our print deadline. Her answer remains largely unchanged but acknowledges the recent federal funding announcement.
