Vancouver Area Relocalisation Network

On March 6th, I attended the Quadra By-Election Candidates debate on climate organized by VTACC (Voters Taking Action on Climate Change). Liberal candidate Joyce Murray, NDP candidate Rebecca Coad and Green candidate Dan Grice were in attendance. For a full recap, go to www.vtacc.org - you can view the full recording of the candidates' climate change town hall.

Last week, after seeing Andi Hazelwood's candidates' discussion for the Bundaberg, Australia, regional council election, I sent a quick email to all of the candidates asking them these three questions:

1. What are your thoughts on peak oil and climate change and their potential effects on the Metro Vancouver region?

2. Do you support the relocalization of the Metro Vancouver region, and other communities across Canada?

(relocalization means reducing consumption and sourcing daily
needs as
locally as possible to reduce dependence on declining fossil fuel
supplies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support our local economy
and local producers)

3. What motivates you most about being involved in politics? at a federal level?

All four candidates responded:

Response from Dan Grice:

1. Peak oil is real, imminent, and going to cause real havoc on our economy if we don't begin redesigning cities and preparing for a post petroleum world. Global warming risks causing rising sea levels which endanger low lying areas of the Fraser Valley, may cause the loss of snow on the local mountains, and may result in increasing storms across coastal areas.

2. Yes. We need to think locally and create sustainable local institutes. We also need to protect agricultural land to ensure we have arable local land, create better transportation systems and encourage people to work closer to where they live.

3. I've always wanted to be an agent of change and am inspired by how the Green Party in Germany and now Ireland are able to put forward meaningful changes with a handful of elected candidates. I think we need to change how we think in government, work together collaboratively with other parties to put forward strong policy. However, our biggest challenge, is turning government into a grassroots organization that is responsive to the needs and ideas of local communities.

Response from Rebecca Coad:

Hi Shelby,

Thank you for your email.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Thomas Homer-Dixon and hearing one of his lectures. He's a strong advocate for building resilient communities- and I agree.

To answer your questions:

1) Canada needs to move away from oil dependency and towards sustainable, renewable energy sources. The NDP has a plan to make this happen and you can find the details at: http://www.ndp.ca/page/4048

Some highlights of the plan are:
- create market incentives for new technology,
- mandate that big polluters pay their fair share,
- provide alternatives for ordinary folk (better transportation, building retrofitting...),
- legislate leading efficiency standards in vehicles, buildings and appliances.

2) Buying local is good for the economy and good for the environment. I support it wholeheartedly.

3) Our lives are shaped by political decisions. I am concerned about social justice and the environment and these challenges require political solutions.

Thank you again for your email,
Rebecca Coad

Response from Deborah Meredith:

Hi Shelby

Density reduces energy consumption and is a good thing for our cities.

We have to make sure though that taxes do not drive business out of the cities.

Public policy interests me greatly and when I was approached to run I seized the opportunity because I think that public policy is too important to leave to career politicians and bureaucrats. I want to do my best so that my children and their children and all our children have a clean and prosperous environment. It is a good time to be running for the Conservatives because we have a good platform, great leadership, and the will to actually accomplish something.

Thanks for your interest.

Deborah

Response from Joyce Murray:

Hi Shelby,

Thanks for your interest in climate change. I invite you to check my website to see my 1992 Thesis on this critical issue and the environmental endorsements from people I worked with. I will give you a call to discuss your questions as I prefer a personal conversation to email dialogues. Or feel free to call me.

regards,
Joyce
604-221-9490

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The Quadra by-election is tomorrow, March 17th - use this opportunity to make your voice heard. Quadra-ites get out and vote!