Why are you running for federal office?
- I decided to run for the Green Party primarily as a disenfranchised former NDP voter who saw them squander their king-making position over the last four years. I want to see progressives that are ready for the challenges we're going to be facing over the next four years regarding everything from the climate crisis to the unprecedented presidential threats on our sovereignty. We need someone in Ottawa who speaks for Port Moody's unique needs and supports Canadian interests.
What federal roles have you held in the past four years?
- I have never held a federal role.
What is your current job?
- I work for the City of Burnaby as a recreation clerk.
How long have you lived in the riding?
- I’m a lifelong Port Moody resident.
Why are you running for this party?
- The Green Party platform is the one I connected with the most when looking at the current political landscape. I am really impressed at their vision for our country and it proposes the bold steps forward I longed to see from the main parties.
How long have you been a party member?
- I joined the party in March of this year.
What are your Top 3 campaign promises?
- I would work to end fossil fuel subsidies to reinvest in a Green economy, expand healthcare and build affordable housing.
If elected, how will you ensure you are available to constituents?
- I am easily reachable online, by phone or in person. If elected I would certainly rent office space in my hometown.
The Tri-City News will be closing no later than May 21. How will you and your party work to strengthen or change the Online News Act to ensure Canadians in communities of all sizes continue to have access to independent, trustworthy local information?
- I reject the question on the grounds that I believe the closure of the three local papers by Glacier Media was more likely because these newspapers are their only remaining papers with local unions. The North Shore News and Delta Optimist continue to run. This is a corporation making a move for their bottom line and that’s also what happens when news consolidates. It’s not good for monopolies to exist.
How are you and your party preparing for future pandemics?
- The Green Party believes in being prepared for any and all events, be it a pandemic or climate disaster. We will create a new National Emergency Response agency along with a National Civil Defense Corps with members spread across Canada who are trained in disaster management. We will also ensure that Canada can produce it’s own vaccines by supporting science and let them do the research needed to not just react but proact.
How are you and your party implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action?
- We are committed to act on every Call to Action and Call for Justice. In addition we will support indigenous communities in the searching of former residential school sites.
Municipalities are struggling with growth orders from senior levels of government. How will you and your party address the needs for more/upgraded infrastructure?
- I have seen the deterioration of government cooperation with municipalities first hand with the Port Moody city council, and would strongly support more partnerships and grant programs to maintain or improve local infrastructure. With such rampant growth, we have to take action to make sure quality of life doesn’t suffer further.
How will you and your party improve income support for seniors and people with disabilities?
- We are committed to fixing the Disability Tax Credit along with fully funding the Canada Disability Benefit so it can more easily be accessed and utilized by the people that need it. Seniors would benefit greatly from expanded healthcare and a Green government will build more affordable homes for seniors and the disabled.
With threatened annexation by the U.S. president, do you and your party support an increase in defence spending?
- We don’t support over militarization, but the Green Party platform will create a National Civil Defense Corps to strengthen our sovereignty. This would create over a hundred thousand good paying jobs with the sole purpose of Canadian security and preparedness.
Canada's overdose epidemic is a national crisis. What will you and your party do to ensure that harm reduction services and safer supply programs are more available?
- While I believe there’s so much more we can do on healthcare as a nation, I strongly feel that in a Green Party majority government where people’s needs are met, we will see this crisis lessen. People are struggling right now, and it’s government’s job to aid it’s citizens in being secure participants in society. Right now we’re leaving folks behind and it can’t go on like this. Fixing the overdose epidemic will take all levels of government working together on a scientifically backed harm reduction strategy to even make a dent if we continue turning a blind eye to the systemic roots of these issues.
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