Conservation Voters Announces First Provincial Endorsements
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April 23, 2009 – Today the Conservation Voters of BC announced its first round of endorsements for the upcoming May 12 provincial election. Contrary to predictions, this election period has been dominated by environmental issues like no other. British Columbians are looking for guidance on how to make electoral choices that combine good governance with true leadership on climate solutions.
“Our endorsements are designed to put stronger environmental voices in the BC legislature. Environmental champions from all parties must work together and design solutions to climate change -- the great crisis of our age,” said Will Horter, Chair, Conservation Voters of BC.
“The time for partisan politicking on the back of the climate crisis is over,” said Naomi Devine, Director, Conservation Voters of BC. “All parties must respond to the strong environment values that British Columbians hold.”
“Our endorsees are individuals who have shown strong leadership on climate change and other local issues. They will be an asset to the Legislature,” says Christianne Wilhelmson, Director, Conservation Voters of BC.
Yes to Single Transferable Vote: Modifying the electoral system will provide increased opportunity for a multiplicity of voices in the legislature and multi-party, collaborative solutions to climate change and other environmental challenges.
Damian Kettlewell (Green Party – Vancouver Falsecreek) A driving force behind the Green Party, Damian has helped drive concepts of green economics into mainstream conversations in BC. Damian is running in a new riding with no incumbents giving him a strong chance at becoming BC’s first Green Party MLA.
Barry Penner (Liberal – Chilliwack-Hope) Minister for Environment, Barry has worked against fossil fuel emissions and championed the BC Climate Action Plan. Barry has led the government team educating British Columbians on the value of pricing carbon in fighting climate change and we endorse his re-election.
Lana Popham (NDP – Saanich-South) A first time candidate with a long history of action as a community activist, businesswoman and organic farmer, Lana is Chair of the Certification Committee for the Islands Organic Producers Association as well as owner and operator of Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island. We endorse Lana in the hope that a new generation of NDP MLAs will bring a modern and forward-thinking perspective to the party.
Gary Holman (NDP – Saanich North and the Islands) An economist who served two terms as Salt Spring Island’s Director on the Capital Regional District (CRD), Gary spearheaded Salt Spring’s first public transit system and serves on the boards of several conservation organizations. Gary will be a strong advocate for water and energy conservation and public transportation.
“Anybody But Carole” (Victoria – Beacon Hill) As leader, the decision to position the NDP campaign against world-leading climate policies while not putting forward improvements or better alternatives is on her shoulders. We do not endorse Carole James for re-election.
Due to the New Democrats’ failure to be leaders in promoting real solutions to global warming we cannot endorse any NDP incumbents that were members of this past caucus. We believe the party needs new leadership and new voices that take a more urgent, principled and collaborative approach to meeting the challenges of climate change.
Conservation Voters of BC is a volunteer-run, non-partisan organization working to elect environmental champions from all parties to municipal, provincial and federal offices. We are non-partisan in that we believe environmentally-minded candidates can do good work within all of BC’s major parties. Twenty-nine of the 36 candidates we have endorsed have been elected in five previous federal, provincial and municipal elections.
For candidate’s or more information on Conservation Voters go to www.conservationvoters.ca
Contacts:
Will Horter, 250-418-1672
Christianne Wilhelmson, 604-862-7579
Naomi Devine, 250-216-1902
“The time for partisan politicking on the back of the climate crisis is over,” said Naomi Devine, Director, Conservation Voters of BC. “All parties must respond to the strong environment values that British Columbians hold.”
“Our endorsees are individuals who have shown strong leadership on climate change and other local issues. They will be an asset to the Legislature,” says Christianne Wilhelmson, Director, Conservation Voters of BC.
Endorsements:
Yes to Single Transferable Vote: Modifying the electoral system will provide increased opportunity for a multiplicity of voices in the legislature and multi-party, collaborative solutions to climate change and other environmental challenges.
Damian Kettlewell (Green Party – Vancouver Falsecreek) A driving force behind the Green Party, Damian has helped drive concepts of green economics into mainstream conversations in BC. Damian is running in a new riding with no incumbents giving him a strong chance at becoming BC’s first Green Party MLA.
Barry Penner (Liberal – Chilliwack-Hope) Minister for Environment, Barry has worked against fossil fuel emissions and championed the BC Climate Action Plan. Barry has led the government team educating British Columbians on the value of pricing carbon in fighting climate change and we endorse his re-election.
Lana Popham (NDP – Saanich-South) A first time candidate with a long history of action as a community activist, businesswoman and organic farmer, Lana is Chair of the Certification Committee for the Islands Organic Producers Association as well as owner and operator of Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island. We endorse Lana in the hope that a new generation of NDP MLAs will bring a modern and forward-thinking perspective to the party.
Gary Holman (NDP – Saanich North and the Islands) An economist who served two terms as Salt Spring Island’s Director on the Capital Regional District (CRD), Gary spearheaded Salt Spring’s first public transit system and serves on the boards of several conservation organizations. Gary will be a strong advocate for water and energy conservation and public transportation.
“Anybody But Carole” (Victoria – Beacon Hill) As leader, the decision to position the NDP campaign against world-leading climate policies while not putting forward improvements or better alternatives is on her shoulders. We do not endorse Carole James for re-election.
Due to the New Democrats’ failure to be leaders in promoting real solutions to global warming we cannot endorse any NDP incumbents that were members of this past caucus. We believe the party needs new leadership and new voices that take a more urgent, principled and collaborative approach to meeting the challenges of climate change.
Conservation Voters of BC is a volunteer-run, non-partisan organization working to elect environmental champions from all parties to municipal, provincial and federal offices. We are non-partisan in that we believe environmentally-minded candidates can do good work within all of BC’s major parties. Twenty-nine of the 36 candidates we have endorsed have been elected in five previous federal, provincial and municipal elections.
For candidate’s or more information on Conservation Voters go to www.conservationvoters.ca
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Contacts:
Will Horter, 250-418-1672
Christianne Wilhelmson, 604-862-7579
Naomi Devine, 250-216-1902