Environmental Q&A with All Candidates

The Problems and the Questions:

Code Red For Humanity:  Global heating IS human-driven - evidence is irrefutable.  We are in a GLOBAL climate disaster situation, and previous ways of doing things, politically, are no longer working well. Our environment is threatened and so is human existence. We can no longer ‘toe the party line’ for short-term gain, but must plan for VERY long-term health and safety. We must work together across party lines for everyone’s benefit, not just for industry, their lobbyists, and the 1% mega-rich.  As well as stressing our environment, which we humans depend on, we have invaded nature, populating so many different ecosystems that new diseases such as covid-19 will continue to pop up and threaten humanity. 

The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) stresses that if we act boldly and quickly to decrease emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases within the next 20 – 30 years, we will avoid a positive feedback loop that would cause global heat to spiral out of control. Canada mobilized for WW2 in 4 months. We can do this.

1. Do you agree with the above statement? Why or why not?

ANDREA GUNNER, Green Party

The climate crisis is real and it is happening now.  A warmer, drier climate is increasing the severity and frequency of forest fires, affecting fish stocks, food production and damaging our health. I know many people feel anxious, overwhelmed and powerless.  I have been there.  The COVID pandemic has shown that we can change direction quickly and effectively when needed.  We all need to act with the urgency the situation demands, including telling our political leaders that the drought, heat domes and forest fires affect us and are getting more frequent and severe. 

KYLE DELFING, People’s Party of Canada

NO, it is hyperbolic to say we are in a GLOBAL CLIMATE DISASTER situation. Climate Change predates the industrial revolution by 1000s of years.

Sure, the old Political way isn’t working. It is atrocious! Taxing Canadians on Carbon…. Forcing the poor to work two jobs, forcing food, sports, or arts off the table for many children whose parents can not afford Carbon tax-laden products. It would be asinine to continue believing taxation will stop Climate Change, let alone a Climate Disaster or Catastrophe or crisis…. Let’s get real; we should be mitigating our response to Climate change, not fooling people into paying more tax and telling them the problem is solved as long as we go “Net Carbon Neutral” it won’t be, look at the forest fires in BC this summer. They emitted ten years’ worth of Carbon in one month…. 

How much tax is it going to take to save us from that?

Party line, you’re correct, we need to dump that line, let the Carbon dioxide is going to destroy the world ship sink! 

Let’s get on with life. We are the most advanced species on the planet. Indeed, we can do better than taxation. We can engineer and build responses to climate change. Engineer our forests to be planted so that fire does not move at 70 km/hr across flat ground. We can mitigate floods before they happen. We can build better buildings to consume less energy while working with natural surroundings and resources to heat and cool.

Oh, the mean lobbyist, GET RID OF ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!

The MEGA rich… what a fallacy!

A product that makes a person MEGA rich is a product that millions if not billions of people are buying. 

We can not blame the “mega-rich” for their success… We are the reason they are successful. They saw a demand in the environment you, and I are a part of, and they filled it. 

The environment, keep it clean, clean up the messes out there, and make sure it is livable for generations to come. 

Mixing COVID into this, classy. Not relevant. COVID arguably has been in a lab in Winnipeg, or Wuhan or the latest, UofBC, for some time before making its way into the population… Let’s not conflate fear topics. 

The UN IPCC is full of it. They’ve been making false doomsday predictions for as long as the IPCC has been around.

Yes, we can. Let us mobilize the country back to work, out of covid and into reality. Climate Change is not a crisis for humanity. The way we handle it is a crisis for humankind.

MEL ARNOLD, Conservative Party

At the outset, I agree with that Canada must not ignore the reality of climate change. It is already affecting our ecosystems, hurting our communities, and damaging our infrastructure.

As the Conservative Party of Canada has committed in our plan titled “Secure the Environment,” we will fight climate change and protect the environment, but we won’t do it on the backs of working Canadians. 

Our plan was independently analyzed by Navius Research, Canadian leaders in quantifying the impacts of energy and climate policy. Navius found that our plan would be expected to substantially achieve the reductions that were agreed to in the Paris Agreement by 2030, while also creating jobs for Canadian workers.

I would like to share with you some components of the Conservative plan that I believe all Canadians need to be aware of because they are important actions that can be taken in the near future. Our plan recognizes the need for the Government of Canada to help Canadians reduce emissions caused by things we do and need on a daily basis. 

For instance, the plan sets out ambitious actions that are within reach to help drive Canada’s transition from vehicles powered by fossil fuel to vehicles powered by electricity and hydrogen. Our plan also proposes strategies and funding to reduce the amount of energy Canadians need to operate their homes and increase access to renewable natural gas and other alternatives to the status quo through a National Clean Energy Strategy. 

The Conservative plan will also reduce industrial emissions and incentivize early adoption of the tools that will accomplish meaningful reductions. We will also initiate assessment of how border tariffs may be applied to ensure a level playing field between products made in Canada under Canadian regulations and products made elsewhere with less environmental protection. 

On that note, the Conservative plan proposes that Canada wield strategies, innovation, and technology to achieve emissions reductions at home and undertake much-needed global leadership in pursuit of global results. 

Carbon capture can be a valuable tool in our fight against climate change and the Conservative plan contains proposals that would unleash and strengthen carbon capture. The natural environment possesses systems that can also fight climate change and our plan will promote and enhance nature’s power. 

Finally, as Canada continues to step-up our fight against climate change, we must also implement strategies for adaptation. As the impacts of climate change become more frequent and severe, Conservatives know that communities and infrastructure across Canada need to evolve, and we are committed to providing the resources and leadership required to secure our communities. 

Combining actions with a coherent and credible strategy is essential to achieving the emission reduction outcomes that Canadians and the world needs. I believe that the Conservative plan to Secure the Environment is the right plan and I hope you may also recognize the value of its proposals.

If you are interested in learning more details of the points I have provided above regarding the Conservative plan to Secure Our Environment, you may view the plan at https://www.conservative.ca/plan/

RON JOHNSTON, New Democratic Party (NDP)

Just this summer we’ve seen the devastating effects of climate change as temperature records were repeatedly broken, and wildfires have threatened our communities and blanketed the region in smoke.  I place a very high priority on climate action and protecting Canadians lives and livelihoods as we work to rapidly reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

SHELLEY DESAUTELS, Liberal Party

Yes, I agree with the problems stated above.  Global heating is human-driven, this has been a known fact for many years and has been shown time and time again that we must change our ways in order to slow the path that we are on.  The Liberal Party has an aggressive plan to address the issues stated above,  and I promise to put riding over party and if I need to work across party lines to get the important work done, then I am more than happy to work with anyone that shares the same goals as I do. 


2. Will you support fair (proportional) vote talks so that all Canadians’ environmental and health needs are represented? Why or why not?

ANDREA GUNNER, Green Party

Absolutely!  Thousands of Canadians felt betrayed by Justin Trudeau’s reversal of the Liberal Party’s promise of bringing in Proportional Representation.  Minority or coalition governments are working in many countries, coincidentally the same countries whose citizens have the highest rankings for happiness and wellbeing in the world (Canada is #15).  These governments bring a focus of the best strategies from all perspectives for their citizens.  We need everyone to work together at every level.  Proportional voting would make every vote count and ensure every voice is heard.  

KYLE DELFING, People’s Party of Canada

We already have a fair and proportional Vote. 

The problem is the masses do not support our system between elections. People ignore democracy and focus on elections. 

Democracy is not about voting for your favourite party, or candidate. Democracy is about supporting your political ideology with a party that best represents you, or at the very least, accepts you into their fold. 

Proportional representation is big government, don’t tell me it worked in New Zealand. They have fewer citizens than British Columbia

I believe people need to step up more frequently and with more passion between elections. 

Political parties should deal with the issue before the election. Unfortunately, it's all-volunteer work, long nights, hard hours researching and, for the most part, a thankless job to sit on the board of an EDA or RA with very little excitement over months at a time and no pay. 

Every party in Canada and British Columbia has a hard time maintaining volunteer numbers and boards. What makes us think adding more empty seats is going to help us govern Canada better?

Want the change, be the change, stop relying on the ballot and get in the fight between elections if you want to see your ideology adopted for this nation or province. I don’t mean protest; I suggest you join a party and work for it. 

MEL ARNOLD, Conservative Party

I support open discussion about Canada’s democratic electoral system, a system where citizens are free to express their views and free to vote for representatives who will represent their values and priorities.

RON JOHNSTON, New Democratic Party (NDP)

The NDP have previously committed to proportional representation, and I am committed to working towards that goal so that future Parliaments can better reflect the diversity of Canadians in their political representation.

SHELLEY DESAUTELS, Liberal Party

There is a lot we can do without changing the electoral system - realizing that voting for the strongest candidate with the best chance of representing our voices in Ottawa provides us with the ability to make changes from within.  We must vote for a candidate that wants to work across party lines to get the hard work done, vote for a candidate that will put riding over party so that work hard and put riding over party is a way we can get a voice in government.  I promise that I will set the bar high for an MP in the North Okanagan - Shuswap and show what an MP really should be doing for our communities. 


3. Will you act swiftly to reform the Canadian Environmental Protection Act? Why or why not?

ANDREA GUNNER, Green Party

Yes, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act needs to be fully restored.  At any one time there are 160-170 boil water advisories here in BC.  The Walkerton E. coli contamination 20 years ago and the ongoing nitrate contamination of the Hullcar aquifer are important examples. We need a national safe drinking water strategy with the resources to help communities restore and maintain clean drinking water for everyone, Indigenous and rural communities included.   

KYLE DELFING, People’s Party of Canada

The People’s Party of Canada would not reform the Canadian Environment act swiftly. We could look at it and build it up where it is weak, in a systematic manner to not have to revisit the act for a very long time, allowing the government to focus on moving Canada forward, not fixing legislation that wasn’t appropriately passed begin with. 

MEL ARNOLD, Conservative Party

I believe all legislation, existing or proposed should be assessed and reassessed as needed with full consideration and debate in both the public and Parliamentary domains.

RON JOHNSTON, New Democratic Party (NDP)

I will push to implement the recommendations from the 2017 Parliamentary review of CEPA which includes the creation of substantive legal rights to environmental quality.  New Democrats will enshrine the right to a healthy environment in a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights to ensure all communities can count on clean water, land, and air.  In addition, I would support the inclusion in CEPA that on matters requiring provincial or local consultation, indigenous consultation be added, to better support traditional land uses and indigenous knowledge.

SHELLEY DESAUTELS, Liberal Party

In April we introduced Bill C-28 which amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.  I will ensure that this is brought back in front of parliament and we work forwards in getting it adopted.


4. Will you act honestly and swiftly to phase out fossil fuels and support a well-planned transition? Why or why not? How will you do it? 

ANDREA GUNNER, Green Party

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has just released its latest report – the sixth in 30  years. The warnings cannot be clearer: human use of fossil fuels is causing rapid and catastrophic changes to our climate. There is an urgent need to abandon fossil energy and shift rapidly to renewable energy sources. B.C. has huge potential to exploit renewable energy with access to tidal power and offshore wind on the coast, and hydroelectric power. We also have significant, untapped, deep geothermal energy resources which could bring greenhouse gas-free heating and power to industry and many remote communities, opening economic development opportunities.  Major projects such as a continental electrical power grid would provide many new job opportunities for oil and gas industry workers wanting to transition to “green” energy employment.

KYLE DELFING, People’s Party of Canada

NO, fossil fuels have significant advantages in the way of costs effectiveness and efficiency. We need to relax, stop chasing this never-ending Net Carbon neutral, fair tail. 

What I would do, legislate engine manufacturers to make engines that emit zero Carbon. I would encourage R and D competition by pushing to abolish the ban on internal combustion vehicles for 2035. This will force companies like Tesla and Ford to build better Electric vehicles sooner to capture the market share they need to be successful. 

Just banning the ICE gives tesla and others no incentives to be better faster. 

Legislation like EPA 07 and EPA10 in the USA would be the way forward. Forcing better technology to be developed is a more significant win than banning what we see as tech that needs to go when we only have costly technology to replace it. 

People cannot afford to go EV. Yeah, yeah, but Kyle, an EV will work itself out over 300 000 km of use. The up-front cost is a small burden. A Toyota corolla is 20k a Tesla model 3 is 50 k…. The average Canadian family is buying the corolla… EV technology is a rich man’s game and will continue to be a rich man's game due to its infancy and the lack of need to compete with the superior internal combustion engine. 

Phasing out fossil fuels would be foolish in our natural gas-rich country. Natural gas is an efficient way to heat and cook. 

MEL ARNOLD, Conservative Party

By reducing our dependency and resulting consumption of fossil fuels, Canada can achieve real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Transitions away from fossil fuels are happening but can be accelerated by the strategies committed to in the Conservative Plan to Secure the Environment. 

RON JOHNSTON, New Democratic Party (NDP)

I fully support the NDP platform which calls for eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, both direct and through assorted tax credits.  We are also calling for specific targets reducing Canada’s net CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 (rather than the Liberal target of by 2050). This is to be achieved by a combination of incentives for renewables, smart grid tech, and Net Zero electricity by 2030 and zero emissions electricity generation by 2040. Building retrofits for efficiency and requiring new buildings to be net zero are also part of the plan, to create cleaner and more sustainable communities.

SHELLEY DESAUTELS, Liberal Party

We are already in the process of the transition away from fossil fuels with a plan that is comprehensive and real action items to get there.  The biggest user of fossil fuels is vehicles; by 2035 we will no longer sell vehicles that use a combustion engine and by 2050 all of these vehicles will be off of the road.  Ensuring a just transition however, does not just mean ending fossil fuels, it also takes into consideration the workers that are in the oil and gas industry and providing them the supports for training into new green jobs so that no one is left behind as we move forward with a green economy.  I support the investments that are being made towards this transition.


5. Will you act to end the export of thermal coal? Why or why not? How will you do it? 

ANDREA GUNNER, Green Party

a) Global thermal coal consumption has been declining since 2013 as countries shift away from coal.  Canada banned all new coal mines in June 2021 and has supported the G7 end to international financing of coal-fired electricity by December 2021.

b) China is on track to make more electric vehicles than all other producers combined by 2025 and already is the world leader in photovoltaic panels.   

c) Alberta is on track to produce 6000 MW from photovoltaic farms by 2025.  

d) We need new ways of thinking and doing, through a climate focused lens.  Our renewable energy sector needs the skills and help from experienced workers in the fossil fuel sector.  I will work for training and transition opportunities for energy sector workers and support for renewable energy instead of fossil fuel. 

KYLE DELFING, People’s Party of Canada

NO, Our national debt is out of control. Our deficit is ridiculous.

I would seek buyers worldwide, look to strengthen environmental safety mechanisms in Canada around the Mining, transportation and shipping of Coal from Canada to the world. The world is not going to stop burning coal anytime soon. We are fools to let this resource go to waste. You want better government. We need more money. Quitting the coal business while our oil sector is trashed would be foolish and another death blow to the affordability of life in Canada.

MEL ARNOLD, Conservative Party

Conservatives are committed to leading the transition away from coal. Thanks to our clean grid, Canada is able to make the lowest emission liquid natural gas (LNG) in the world. LNG can be used as an important transition fuel to replace coal as a source of reliable base power, and to provide responsive back-up power for inconsistent renewables in the absence of adequate grid storage.

LNG can also be used as an important transition fuel for developing countries seeking to move away from subsistence fuels like wood and dung. Our strategy will focus on exporting LNG while ensuring that new facilities are electrified to reduce emissions.

RON JOHNSTON, New Democratic Party (NDP)

I am committed to working to strengthen the federal environmental impact assessment process for new coal mines and mine expansion projects. Requiring more funds to be held as security in advance for cleanup/remediation of sites could also help protect the public interest in a clean environment here and elsewhere, by making sure cleanup costs are paid by the industry, not the public. This will affect the economics of these projects at the outset, by making sure the true cost is carried by the industry

SHELLEY DESAUTELS, Liberal Party

Canada has always stepped up to help our international partners, and this situation is no different.  A Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) was co-founded by Canada and is a main priority is to phase out coal-fired electricity and the UN's Secretary-General called for no new coal after 2020.  The PPCA is working with many partners and organizations to move the market to sustainable energy and away from coal.  As MP I will hold the government accountable to these promises made and ensure that we no longer export coal to other countries in the move toward a global green economy.


6. What have you already done to help all of us and make a difference in our environment and human health? What will you NOW do to make a difference and help protect our environment and human health?

ANDREA GUNNER, Green Party

a) As both a farmer and an agricultural economist, I have been mentoring farmers and other members of the BC food industry for most of my career.  Our own experience transforming a piece of rocky glacial till into lush, drought resistance pasture using multi-species intensive rotational grazing has been startling for its simplicity and effectiveness in building soil on an annually measurable basis compared to the Canadian norm of 500 years/inch.   This is a story that I readily share throughout my community and professional networks. I am thrilled as it resonates with farmers and consumers alike.  Our soil building experience gives me hope for the future.   

b) I co-chair BC’s oldest and largest food and farm based non-governmental organisation, FarmFolk CityFolk.  FF/CF works on Climate Solutions through carbon sequestration and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through practical training and knowledge transfer as well as advocating for climate-friendly policies at all levels of government.  FF/CF has built vegetable seed production capacity throughout BC by working with farmers, academia and citizen growers on seed selection, growing, cleaning and saving.  This is vitally important food security work at the ground level.  

c) I chair the Friends of Rose Swanson Ecosystem Stewardship Society, a local non-profit group dedicated to finding a balance between recreation values and forest health on Crown Lands.  The trails on Rose Swanson provide valuable recreation opportunities for hikers, horseback riders and other outdoor recreationist from throughout the Vernon -Salmon Arm area, especially those of Armstrong/Spallumcheen.  We have aligned with forestry researchers at UBC to better understand forest ecology with respect to climate change, disease and pest populations as well the relationships of intact forest with community values.

KYLE DELFING, People’s Party of Canada

I maintain my vehicles to the highest standards. I do not buy a new car every four years. I keep them for decades. Less waste IMO. We make sure the fleet is not polluting more than it should.

I would eliminate the Carbon tax so humans could work less and enjoy more of their lives. That is for mental health. 

I would push for more amenities at National parks and to have lower entrance fees.

I would make sure no company or person can subvert legislation in Canada and dump their tailings ponds in our rivers or leave their oil fields in ruins while they run with the profits. 

Lastly, if elected MP for the North Okanagan Shuswap. I would NOT fly to Ottawa unless I needed to make an impactful statement in the House of Commons or conduct significant business in person. I would rather stay here and use Zoom to do a lot of the work in Ottawa. This will reduce my carbon footprint by not flying. I also would not spend 40-50k a year flying Amanda to Ottawa with me. And I would be reachable more often for all of us who I would be serving.

MEL ARNOLD, Conservative Party

The North Okanagan-Shuswap is blessed with exceptional water resources that sustain our communities, wildlife and sectors of our economies like agriculture and tourism. The exceptional importance of our waters continues to motivate me to fight for sound and timely policies to protect water.  

I have consistently pressed federal ministers to reduce water pollution by eliminating the practice of releasing undertreated or untreated wastewater and sewage into Canada’s waters.  In 2015, the previous Conservative government introduced Canada’s first-ever national standards for wastewater or sewage treatment and deadlines for all municipalities to meet the standards. In 2020, the Trudeau government quietly issued a notice of their intent to push these deadlines 20 years down the road to allow undertreated or raw sewage to continue to be dumped in our waterways.

This past February, my colleague Andrew Scheer introduced bill C-269 that sought to prohibit anyone from depositing or permitting the deposit of raw sewage in water frequented by fish. In June, the Trudeau Liberals voted against this bill and killed it. 

Conservatives are committed to bringing an end to the practice of dumping raw sewage into our lakes, rivers, and oceans and we will work with provinces and territories and municipalities to achieve this important step.

Since being first elected in 2015, I have also consistently worked to raise awareness of and increase prevention of the imminent threats facing the Okanagan and Shuswap watersheds in the form of aquatic invasive species (AIS), zebra and quagga mussels in particular. An infestation of AIS would cause potentially irreversible damage to our ecologies and economy and yet the current government has failed to provide the additional resources required to protect against this threat. I have consistently raised this issue to the various government ministers responsible for taking action to prevent the threats of AIS from becoming reality.

Fighting plastic pollution is also essential to protecting aquatic species and the Conservative Plan to Secure the Environment includes a strategy to fight plastic pollution both at home and abroad. 

In addition to continuing to press for resources and actions to protect our waters, I will advocate for adequate government resources needed to protect our environment and human health.

RON JOHNSTON, New Democratic Party (NDP)

I try to focus on the many small choices we all make day to day.  Driving a small, efficient vehicle, minimal use of AC in our modest sized home, and eating/shopping/traveling local, as well as minimizing power use at home wherever possible.

SHELLEY DESAUTELS, Liberal Party

My education includes a degree in Geography with a focus on Earth Sciences.  My profession is as a Geographical Information System (GIS) Specialist where I work with Indigenous and Community forests where our primary focus is to manage the land in a way that is sustainable and protecting the values that are so important to the ecosystem and I have offered my expertise in GIS Analysis to support cumulative effects projects with regards to Salmon in the Shuswap.  In my personal life, I have just recently xeriscaped my front yard to save on water usage to help support our reservoirs through droughts that are becoming more frequent, as well as we own a plug-in hybrid vehicle and are looking to go fully electric in the near future.


7. What have you done/what will you do to further the position of women and other marginalized citizens in our society to allow their viewpoint and concerns about our global climate crisis to be heard and acted upon?

ANDREA GUNNER, Green Party

I will continue to raise my own awareness and to educate myself by asking thoughtful questions and listening to diverse perspectives.  We cannot continue to ignore or push the climate crisis to the “back burner”.  I have and will continue working to expand my own circle including authentic relationships with Indigenous neighbours, on whose unceded territory I live and work.  

KYLE DELFING, People’s Party of Canada

What can be done? We have many avenues for people to express their views these days. I wouldn’t impede anyone, and I enjoy encouraging those who have something to say but haven’t quite found their voice to find that voice. 

The People’s Party of Canada is the only party promoting EQUALITY FOR ALL CANADIANS, not equity, EQUALITY. We are all Canadian. It is time to stop pandering to special interest groups, to instead include everyone’s voice as a Canadian and adjust how we govern to suit the needs of All Canadians.

MEL ARNOLD, Conservative Party

Canadian women deserve a real plan for a healthy, safe, and equal opportunity to secure their future.

The reality is that women in Canada experience barriers to equality of opportunity throughout their lives. Canadian girls, as they approach adolescence, experience higher levels of abuse and violence and greater declines in mental health and confidence than boys do. This can be partially attributed to the specific challenges they face related to harmful gender stereotypes and sexualization. 

Similarly, senior women in Canada experience higher levels of abuse, violence, and poverty than men. Other forms of discrimination and marginalization can exacerbate these challenges.

These realities must change. 

I will work with my Conservative colleagues and other MPs to take action to end gender inequality, address the gender pay gap, protect the fundamental right to personal safety for all women and ensure that all women have access to the health care they need.

I am committed to these actions that will increase the ability of marginalized citizens, including women, to have their viewpoint and concerns be heard and acted upon.

RON JOHNSTON, New Democratic Party (NDP)

I fully support upholding Indigenous rights which is a key part of the NDP climate platform as well as our “Courage to do what’s right” platform pillar. Pay equity – for women, as well as indigenous and racialized Canadians is part of this as well. As CSIS here in Canada and the FBI and Homeland Security have warned for over a decade, right-wing extremism is on the rise in both countries, and the NDP has committed to dismantling right-wing extremist groups and confronting systemic racism.

SHELLEY DESAUTELS, Liberal Party

As a woman running for MP I understand the need for more of our voices to be heard.  I work closely with people of all walks of life and pride myself on my ability to listen and work on solutions that will make changes to the lives of others.  This is true for the global climate crisis but also any other issue that women and marginalized citizens may be facing.  Everyone's voice is important, and everyone's voice counts and therefore it is important to listen to everyone to ensure that any decisions made are fair and representative.

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