Voters were invited to an All Candidates Townhall on the Environment and Climate on April 5 th at St-Clair of Assisi Parish Hall in Coquitlam. The Townhall was organized ahead of the April 28 th Federal election by local environmental groups including Neighbours United, Force of Nature, Burke Mountain Naturalists, Wondrous Tree Fellowship, West Coast Environmental Law, and the Laudato Si Movement.

Geoff Scott – Local Journalism Initiative

Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam candidates Laura Dupont (NDP), Ron McKinnon (Liberal), and Michael Glenister (Green) participated, as well as Port Moody-Coquitlam candidates Bonita Zarrillo (NDP), Zoe Royer (Liberal), and Nash Milani (Green). Participation in the Townhall was declined by Conservative candidates Iain Black for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam and Paul Lambert for Port Moody-Coquitlam. The venue was filled by audience members who came out to support and engage in a lively dialogue.

Questions were posed ranging from whether major polluters should pay their fair share for their contribution to the escalating costs of climate change, to the role the Federal Government should play in ensuring all citizens have access to the benefits of a healthy urban forest and what Federal actions can be taken to reduce carbon pollution from the two biggest urban polluters: housing and transportation.

Laura Dupont says, “The climate crisis sometimes seems to last on the list, but it isn’t going away. We know that emissions are climbing, and that Governments are ignoring the problem.”

Ron McKinnon argues that Conservatives have a history of ignoring scientists on climate change and environmental protection. He says “They’ll have you believe the choice is between fighting climate change and growing the economy. We know that’s not true. We can and must do both.”

Nash Milani holds everyone to account, by asking for a show of hands for those who, like himself took transit to the event.

Facilitator Adel Gamar concludes by noting that although an invitation went out to every candidate who put their name on the ballot, not everybody decided to participate. Having difficult conversations is invaluable, because not showing up for events like these means we become more and more siloed and disengaged.