Lexi Bainas
and Katherine Engqvist
Black Press
Environmental policy is a topic that could well influence voters in the federal election, and local candidates hoping to win the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford seat on Oct. 19 are staking out their territory on issues that range from renewable energy to pipelines.
NDP candidate and Duncan resident Alistair MacGregor calls climate change B次元官网网址渢he overarching issue of this centuryB次元官网网址� and points to its effect in the riding.
B次元官网网址淲e have seen a pretty sharp drop in our river levels and extended drought periods. That is something our federal government will need to take a very serious look at and implement actions to combat.B次元官网网址�
MacGregor said heB次元官网网址檚 been listening to stakeholder concern about the Cowichan River.
B次元官网网址淭here is a real consensus that we need to hold back more supply at the lake. That involves raising the weir. IB次元官网网址檇 like to see some action on that file,B次元官网网址� he said.
Of the Malahat First NationB次元官网网址檚 LNG plans, he said, B次元官网网址淭hat announcement was a surprise for everyone. I have heard from the Tsartlip First Nation (on the Saanich Peninsula) and, in the background, from members of Cowichan Tribes, that there is a lot of uneasiness about this.B次元官网网址�
The current push from higher levels of government towards oil and gas development could be seen B次元官网网址渁s the easy route to quick moneyB次元官网网址� for impoverished First Nations communities, he said. B次元官网网址淏amberton is so beautiful; that specific tract of land could have a whole bunch of different uses outlined for it.B次元官网网址�
The Green Party sees the environment in connection with employment, so jobs created must be sustainable and renewable, said Green hopeful Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 like not to have so much resource extraction, per se, but rather to create alternatives,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淭he Cowichan Valley is uniquely poised in this regard because these discussions are far advanced in comparison to the overall riding. With the weather, our water security, our food security, dealing with drought B次元官网网址� we need to take some bold stands and take some strong actions to protect the environment and to protect our coastline.B次元官网网址�
While backing the Malahat NationB次元官网网址檚 move towards economic development, Hunt-Jinnouchi sees the proposed LNG project as short-sighted.
B次元官网网址淭here hasnB次元官网网址檛 been collaboration with their neighbouring nations or communities,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that pressure could well be brought to bear from both federal and provincial governments.
Conservative Martin Barker sees the Malahat NationB次元官网网址檚 proposed LNG facility as a potentially positive step for the First Nation.
B次元官网网址淢yself and the Conservative Party will always support the efforts of First Nation people in achieving prosperity and accountable self-governance,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he Malahat Nation has made prudent use of the First Nation Funding Authority to create opportunity for its people.B次元官网网址�
The road to the potential LNG plant and underwater pipeline B次元官网网址渨ill require considerable consultation and study, and then the meeting of very strict safety and environmental standards, as is the practice in Canada,B次元官网网址� he added, but chose not to comment further until he has heard the arguments for and against.
That said, Barker said his party understands that tens of thousands of Canadian jobs depend on a thriving energy sector.
B次元官网网址淭he natural resource sector, directly and indirectly, employs 1.8 million Canadians, many in skilled, quality jobs. Resource development generates $30 billion annually in revenue and is the largest employer of First Nations people.B次元官网网址�
While Conservatives try to boost CanadaB次元官网网址檚 clean energy sector, strengthen CanadaB次元官网网址檚 record on conservation and deliver good Canadian jobs, plans for the future must continues to address these concerns, he said.
B次元官网网址� EditorB次元官网网址檚 note: Liberal candidate Luke Krayenhoff was announced Monday as the replacement for Maria Manna, who resigned her candidacy in this riding on Monday. We will endeavour to include him in subsequent issue-based election stories about Cowichan-Malahat-Langford.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
