In addition to the recently held election in Quebec, both Ontario and New Brunswick are slated to have provincial elections in 2014. Voters in Ontario will go to the polls on June 12th, while voters in New Brunswick will cast ballots on September 22nd. There also remains a possibility that voters in Alberta will return to the polls pending the selection of a new Progressive Conservative Leader and Premier.
For voters in these provinces who feel that the environment is a key issue, it only makes sense to know exactly where each party, each leader and each local candidate stands on certain key environmental issues. For those who want to reach out to those asking for their vote, here are my personal suggestions as to what specific questions should be asked relating to the environment and relevant issues that relate to provincial governance:
- Do you fundamentally believe that Climate Change is real and that is has been caused by human kind?
- Do you believe we have passed the tipping point, or do you believe that we can solve our climate crisis through immediate action?
- Do you believe that renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, etc represent the future of your provincial energy supply?
- Do you view the development of renewable energy in the province is an environmental issue, an economic issue, or both?
- Do you support the idea of offering incentives such as tax credits and rebates to spurn on development of renewable energy in your province?
- Would you support the notion of a system whereby the heaviest carbon emitters are forced to pay a fee for the carbon they emit? If this increases provincial revenues, would you then support offering countering tax breaks for those who embrace a green and sustainable lifestyle?
- Are you in favour of, or against offering tax breaks for things such as home heating and gasoline?
- Do you view high costs for things such as home heating or gasoline as a hinderance to one’s quality of life or as an incentive to practice conservationism?
- Do you believe that all provincially funded construction for things such as new schools and government buildings should require that they built to the highest LEED certification standards possible?
- Do you support offering incentives and tax breaks to home and business owners who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their homes/offices through retrofits?
These questions, naturally are only a start for there are many more one could ask. The questions on policy that I offered are also questions that would typically fall under provincial authority. While one could ask about recycling for example, this is a matter that would be addressed municipally instead of provincially.
If the environment matters to you, I encourage you to pose these questions to anyone who is asking for your support. More important than that though, is that once you have made up your mind…YOU HAVE TO GO AND VOTE TO MAKE IT COUNT! Provincial governments have great potential to enact legislation which helps our environment and it’s up to all of us to make sure we elect those who will do the most for our environment, for our future and for our children.
Good luck!
Is there any place I can easily find Ontario provincial candidates’ views on these issues? (Without asking them directly)
Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any website or platform during this election that has taken the initiative to ask candidates and leaders their position on environmental issues. Sadly, the environment has not had the prominence that it deserves this go around…
What a novel approach…asking the candidates questions instead of reading and hearing what THEY want to say through the media. Excellent post Eric and some great questions.
Eric works magic with bringing the questions top everyone’s
attention, lets follow up by asking the candidates.
Thank you, Michael! I hope you will be active and seek out the candidate that best matches your beliefs and interests regarding the environment. Good luck.