Our BC NDP leadership endorsement: Mike Farnworth

The BC NDP leadership candidates have all made the environment a top priority in their election platforms. They are all advocating strong policies on a range of issues from climate change to agricultural land protection, and for that we salute them.

After reviewing their positions and interviewing the three front-running candidates, we have decided that one candidate stands out above the rest and is deserving of an endorsement in this race: Mike Farnworth.

In addition to his strong positions on a number of key environmental issues, three other factors made us decide in Mike's favour.

First, he has the support of several sitting and former NDP MLA's who Conservation Voters of BC has endorsed in the past: Rob Fleming, Lana Popham, and David Cubberley.

Second, Mike seems best situated to rally the NDP around his positions moving towards an election. We want to see all parties advancing effective and coherent environmental positions in the next election. For that to happen, party leaders need strong backing for the policies they champion. We believe Mike Farnworth can build that support.

Finally, CVBC suggested that Farnworth consider Nicholas Simons' recommendation for a Citizens' Assembly on Climate Policy. Mike has indicated to us that he supports this innovation. We think that such an assembly, modelled after the process used in the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, could be an important tool for drafting efficient, effective and broadly-supported climate policy for consideration in the legislature.

Global warming requires government to take urgent measures to transform society. Meeting such fundamental governing challenges is near impossible if strong policy proposals are attacked for short-term partisan advantage at election time. A Citizen's Assembly on Climate Policy offers a chance to move this process above the fray by assigning its development to a non-partisan assembly of citizens and experts.

If you are an NDP member, please vote. Whoever is chosen as leader of the NDP will have a huge impact on the future of our province.

You can review all the candidates' positions here.

NDP members have several options for voting: in advance, on the day online or at the convention. Go here for details.