Chemainus Residents Association

Category: Elections – Provincial

  • Forum wrap up

    Congratulations to Doug Routley, who will be Nanaimo – North Cowichan’s MLA in the newly elected B.C. Legislature. Congratulations, too, to Chris Istace and Duck Paterson for representing their perspectives and their parties’ platforms in the Oct 24, 2020 provincial election. Most of all, though, congratulations to the constituents who expressed their preferences in the ballot box.

    The Nanaimo – North Cowichan All-Candidates forum was an attempt to replicate the face-to-face dialogue between voters and candidates that takes place at all-candidate’s meetings. Due to COVID-19, the Chemainus Residents Association, which traditionally holds all-candidates meetings for federal, provincial and municipal elections, could not.

    What was undertaken as an alternative route during a pandemic has developed into a process we feel might be considered an accepted pathway connecting constituents and voters during elections. We’d appreciate hearing your views about that. Please let us know by completing the short survey below.

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  • Programs and assistance for low Income earners

    What will you do for low income couples and seniors, who do not have children but whose minimum wage earnings, Unemployment Insurance or Canada Pension and Old Age Security do not make a reasonable standard of living affordable. This group of Canadians don’t receive any assistance or help with essential expenses like medical prescriptions, dental care, rental costs and so on. But they are struggling as much as others who do have access to programs that help make ends meet?

    Chris Istace

    Part of why I wanted to run for the BC Greens is that we strongly support a universal basic income for ALL citizens. We can ensure a life of dignity, a life where no one should be struggling to pay rent, buy food, pay for needed health care, or meet other necessities of life. The band-aid solutions of raising minimum wage simply do not work. We need our social support networks to ensure our communities thrive. 

    As your BC Greens MLA, I will work tirelessly to:

    Institute a Universal Basic Income

    Introduce a grant program to help make rent more affordable, especially to low-income earners who pay more than 30% of their income in rent. 

    Support action towards resolving the difference between minimum wage and minimum livable income.

    Work towards affordable prescriptions for all citizens.

    What will you do for low income couples and seniors, who do not have children but whose minimum wage earnings, Unemployment Insurance or Canada Pension and Old Age Security do not make a reasonable standard of living affordable. This group of Canadians don’t receive any assistance or help with essential expenses like medical prescriptions, dental care, rental costs and so on. But they are struggling as much as others who do have access to programs that help make ends meet?

    Once these items are adopted we can ensure that everyone in our communities will thrive. Our plan is based on investing in people, investing in communities, and investing in our future. 

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • Marked Chinook Program

    What are your thoughts regarding the Department Of Fisheries marked Chinook Program? In your opinion does the DFO currently have short falls on the West Coast? if so, what are they?

    Doug Routley

    As someone who sat as co-chair to the Wild Salmon Advisory Council, alongside Chief Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk First Nation, this is an issue that I care deeply about. On this 14-member council we worked closely with industry, First Nations, governments, sports fisherman and more.

    From this work we were able to produce a report with recommendations for a made in BC Wild Salmon strategy that secured $105 million in a joint provincial- federal funding agreement to be able to implement the recommendations that will look to protect and revitalize BC Wild salmon stocks.

    Just the other day we announced that if elected we would double our contribution to this funding agreement. While fisheries have typically been under the DFO direction, we do feel that there are gaps and shortfalls in the system, which is why we are investing provincial funding to ensure these shortfalls are addressed.

    To learn more about our council’s work and the recommendations put forward visit www.engage.bc.ca website and type “Wild Salmon” in the search function.

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • Taxation and Income Equity

    In 2017 a Conference Board of Canada report ranked B.C. and Ontario as having the greatest income inequality in the country, placing them ahead of only the “worst-ranked peer countries Australia and the United States”. Do you support revisions in our tax structure so that we come closer to equitably taxing those with the greatest wealth?

    Chris Istace

    Yes.

    We can see the effects of inequality all around us. From the increased numbers of people experiencing homelessness, to those that are just getting by paycheque to paycheque, inequality is here and visible.

    To combat this rising inequality, the BC Greens are committed to creating a fair taxation system. Our current taxation system in BC is complicated and contains too many loopholes and frivolous tax credits that only benefit those who are already ahead. 

    We need to reform sections of our tax code that hurt low and middle income earners.  We also need to establish better tax accountability within the government. Lower taxes doesn’t help people if it means cutting essential services or postponing necessary projects in order to meet that promise.

    Our promise is to invest in people, invest in communities and invest in our future. There are many ways to do that, but ensuring we can all live a life of dignity is a must. 

    Duck Paterson

    The tax structure across all of Canada needs to be updated to make it more equitable and sustainable.  Not everyone likes to pay taxes so governments (all) need to find alternate sources of revenue.  The taxpayer needs a break and working towards an equal and fair taxation system, while investigating other sources of income, is something that I strongly believe in.

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • Health Care

    What is your stance on primary care networks opening up around the province?Are you familiar with the role of Nurse Practitioners, and will your party support Nurse Practitioners providing care to British Columbians ?

    Doug Routley

    As a member of the government who implemented the Primary care networks, I support this action. The primary care networks are an excellent solution to ensuring people without access to a doctor can still get the care they need – and the urgent care clinics built under our government also ensure there is less congestion at our hospitals. 

    When our government consulted with doctors and those nearing the end of their medical schooling, what we heard is that many doctors do not want to go into private practice where they are essentially running a business, on top of offering care – most doctors just want to provide vital health care services to people. Primary care networks, urgent care clinics and primary care centers allow doctors and other health professionals to work in a team environment where everyone is focused strictly on caring for people. 

    We also opened the first nurse practitioner led clinic on the island in my riding this year and I fully support these clinics as well. I have heard lots of positive feedback from the community and I know that they are doing amazing work. I would support seeing more investments and expansions of these clinics.

    Chris Istace

    I was heartened to see our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Henry, open up more opportunities for Nurse Practitioners, allowing them to prescribe safer options as alternatives to toxic street drugs during the ongoing opioid crisis.

    This public health order not only recognizes the exceptional measures needed to combat the crisis and save lives, but also her faith in the professionals who she is tasking with this important role. 

    I would certainly be in favour of having further discussions with the PHO as to her thoughts in expanding this program to offer further health care opportunities to people in communities through our province.

    While there are several factors that would need to be considered, the health of our communities, and members within, dictate that this is a conversation we need to have.  

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • Mental Health and Addiction

    Mental Illness and Addiction have been identified as at the front of the issues on our streets – Homelessness and Poverty. What services and facilities addressing these issues do you support in our riding and where will the funding come from? And does the electorate deserve the right to vote on funding decisions?

    Chris Istace

    Previous governments have looked at band-aid solutions to the symptoms of this emergency, when experts tell us that we need to be addressing the roots of mental illness to make an impact.

    The Green Party proposes a multi-tiered approach to this issue, following recommendations from experts. We are proposing $1 billion be spent over four years to address mental health within the medical services plan.

    Cost should never be a barrier to accessing mental health services. Early intervention strategies for youth mental health, and mental health education are critical.

    We plan to develop a loneliness strategy, and provide accessible services for people dealing with anxiety and depression. We will invest in facilities where mental health is addressed, from early intervention, to detoxification beds, to rehabilitation, so all stages of mental health and addiction are addressed.

    And of course, we need to make our society one where people live in a state of general well-being, where fears regarding jobs, economic stability, health, and housing are not creating anxiety and depression which so often lead to more serious issues. 

    By voting for the Green Party, you will be choosing this multi-tiered approach to addressing our mental health crisis.

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • Electoral Reform

    Does your party believe the current first-past-the-post electoral system is the best way of representing the interests of British Columbians in the B.C Legislature? If so, why? If not, what form of representation to you think would be best, and how can reform be implemented?

    Chris Istace

    The BC Greens strongly support a change to a legislature with proportional representation.  In a democracy, every vote must count, and first-past-the-post elections leave large segments of the population with inadequate representation. 

    There are a number of forms of very fair proportional representation used around the world with great success, and it would be up to a multi-partisan committee and the people of BC to choose which form is best for our province. 

    It’s clear that there is significant desire for this to be explored further in BC, and I pledge to work towards making this a reality.

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • Freighter Anchorages

    Do you think freighters should be allowed to anchor in Stuart Channel? Why or why not? If so, how many? What are the risks and environmental impacts? Does the province have a role to play in setting limits?

    Chris Istace

    Freighter anchorages is a federal issue that has a disproportionate effect on our very small area of Canada. In fact, there are more anchorages affecting our electoral district than almost any other district in Canada. 

    Although this is an issue governed and controlled by the federal government, that is not to say that we can’t communicate with our federal counterparts to work together.  Our federal members of parliament for Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Saanich-Gulf Islands have been communicating with the appropriate ministries regarding this issue. 

    As with other issues where the province is not given jurisdiction, I pledge to work respectfully with our representatives in the federal government to bring attention to the concerns of citizens in our district.

    Doug Routley

    Freighter traffic and anchoring is an issue I have heard a lot of concerns about during my time as MLA. Generally speaking, this is a matter that falls under federal jurisdiction, which has made it difficult to effectively advocate for our community on this issue, on a provincial level.

    However, my colleagues and I, who represent riding on the coast, have been vocal about the concerns in our communities and so included in our platform is the commitment to develop a new provincial coastal strategy – in partnership with First Nations and federal and local governments – to better protect coastal habitat while growing coastal economies.

    A priority of this strategy will be working with the federal government to address freighter traffic management and anchorage around southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • *Homelessness

    What do you think are the contributing causes of increasing numbers of homeless people in B.C.? What steps would you take to provide adequate shelter and services to the homeless, and other marginalized citizens? Can government afford to reduce or eliminate homelessness and extreme poverty?

    Chris Istace

    The cost to society of homelessness, poverty, and addiction is massive. From policing and security, to medical costs, to the cost of meeting daily needs, our society is currently paying a lot of money to put a band-aid on a problem that needs more meaningful solutions.

    In the long run, the solutions the BC Greens are proposing will be more compassionate and cost-effective than our current methods. 

    Mental health contributes to many issues with homelessness, and the BC Greens propose an ambitious plan to make mental health a part of public healthcare. Early intervention, education, and funding facilities are all part of this.

    Initiatives that create jobs, provide economic security, and build affordable and supported housing will be implemented.  We will work with the federal government to establish programs and funding that work towards these goals.

    Doug Routley

    Studies in Canada show that the average costs for a person struggling with homelessness and mental health are over $53k a year- between temporary shelter costs, first responders, emergency and health services, justice system etc.

    In comparison providing someone with supportive and transitional housing costs $13,000-$18,000 a year and affordable housing without supports is a mere $5,000-$8,000.

    So financially it makes sense, but even more than that it is just the right thing to do. This is why we believe in the housing first strategy and why we have made the largest ever provincial investment in affordable and supportive housing- which has provided over 1,000 new affordable units between Nanaimo and Cowichan.

    We have also implemented a poverty reduction plan (under the previous government we were the only province to not have a plan, despite having the second highest poverty in Canada) and we announced a new navigation center shelter model – to which Nanaimo will receive the second one in all of BC.

    We need to continue with these investments and building the housing our communities need, because after 16 years of little to no investments, coupled with a housing crisis, we have a lot of catching up to do.

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.

  • Forest Management

    The provincial government recently announced plans to protect 353,000 hectares of forest with old-growth trees from logging, while a new forest management plan is developed. How can B.C. find balance between the status quo, which risks crucial biodiversity loss; and immediate moratoriums, which would damage the economy and threaten the livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers?

    Chris Istace

    We want to make the forestry industry something our grandchildren can continue to work in. The way forestry is done now won’t allow for that. Clear cutting and old growth logging destroy the soil, create drought and flood cycles, and make us more prone to wildfires. We want stable forestry jobs, not boom and bust ones.
    To make this happen, we will:

    • Create the role of Chief Biologist to balance Chief Forester, making sure we consider the science, our communities, and long-term jobs, not just the bottom line of the forestry companies.  
    • Take control of our forests from corporations and give more say in what happens to local communities and First Nations. We plan to incentivize value-added products, to create more jobs and less waste in the industry; we would like to put an end to raw log export. We need to take a more holistic approach to understanding the value of forests, including their incredible capacity for extracting carbon from the air. There has been much research done here and around the world regarding more sustainable forestry practice, and we need to listen to experts and include their research and expertise in our plans moving forward.  In all this, we need to ensure that jobs are protected and fairly transitioned as we make these changes.

    Doug Routley

    This question highlights some of the challenge faced by any government when it comes to forestry policies. The balance of needing to protect our valuable old growth, while also ensuring tens of thousands of people don’t lose their livelihoods is only one aspect- there is also the need to consider implications of trade agreements and ensure proper consultation with all First Nations. 

    Our government appointed the Old Growth Panel to begin the work of finding the right balance, which helped drive the decision to protect the additional 353,000 hectares. We are also committed to working collaboratively with Indigenous leaders, labour, industry, and environmental groups, to implement recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review to protect further old-growth stands.

    Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.