Portage-Lisgar candidate Bev Eert (Green)

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2015 (3652 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Headliner posed four questions to all the candidates running for election in Portage-Lisgar. Here are the answers of Green Party candidate Bev Eert.

Q: What are the two biggest issues you feel are of most concern to riding residents and how will you address them?

A: The overriding issue that will ultimately define this generation is climate change. I strongly urge you to view youtube.com/watch?t=309&v=L19JBY0kNmo

This presentation clearly explains the scientific data that indicates Earth is in a period of abrupt change. As your Green MP, I would do everything possible to move us away from fossil fuels and into clean technology.

The second most important issue is the restoration and restructuring of our democracy: proportional representation; controlled use of omnibus bills, prorogation, and public funds for partisan purposes; reduced power for the Prime Minister’s Office.

Q: How do you feel your party can support the lives of riding residents, specifically farm families and seniors?

A: The Green Party will support Canadians who want to enter into agriculture, by funding community-based initiatives, farmers’ markets, small-scale farms, and small-scale local processing. We will shift research away from biotechnology and energy-intensive farming and towards organic and sustainable food production using clean energy such as solar.
And the Green Party will help seniors remain healthy and independent for as long as possible, by implementing a national
seniors strategy which includes a housing plan for “aging in place,” a guaranteed livable income, pharmacare, a national dementia strategy, pension protection, and better public transportation.
 
Q: How would you address the issue of economic development for riding residents?

A: Instead of moving boldly into the future, the Canadian economy has been mired in resource extraction and export of raw materials. Today the economic cutting edge is in sustainable clean technology, and I believe that Canadians are eager to take up the challenge. The Green Party will roll out a National Sustainable Generations Fund to invest in the skills training necessary to achieve excellence in energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean-tech manufacturing and food production, the creative economy, and emerging technologies. Canada can and should be a world leader in innovation.

Q: What personal qualities do you bring to the role of Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar?

A: I bring vision. My view of the world has always been forward-looking. From studying solar design in the ’70s, to warning of climate change in the ’80s, to learning about energy-efficiency in the ’90s to reducing my carbon footprint in recent years, I have always tried to learn from the past, look to the future and apply both to my decisions in the present.

And I bring the courage to apply that vision. My husband and I didn’t just think about reducing our carbon footprint, we designed and built a totally solar home. You can count on me to ‘walk my talk’ and work hard to get it done. I dare you to send me to Ottawa.