Letter to the Editor re: An Open letter to Prime Minister-designate Trudeau
Congratulations on forming a new Government! Of the many commitments you made during the campaign, we are especially concerned about and support those dealing with climate change.
We agree with the statement on the Liberal Party website that: “Climate change is an immediate and significant threat to our communities and our economy.” We hasten to add that the science also says that the GHGs that are ‘in the pipe’, that is those we emitted yesterday and those we are emitting today will have a significant incremental threat to our communities and economy in the future. The additional emissions expected tomorrow will make things worse and could be catastrophic if we do not act quickly to reduce those emissions.
Current reduction commitments or INDCs (Intended National Determined Contributions) made in preparation for the ‘Paris meetings’ are insufficient to hold GHG emissions below 450ppm, the limit scientists confirm is necessary to hold global warming to less than two degrees. If as you suggest in the Liberal platform, Canada is to repair its international reputation and become a leader on the world stage, it needs to lead by example at home. Canada needs to have deeper and an earlier time frame for GHG reduction targets than those offered by the previous government.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby supports your commitment to have a plan to deliver those deeper and earlier emissions targets, including measureable objectives, doable plans that deliver those objectives and a strong program of carbon pricing (which is also supported by the IMF and World Bank) – all with an effective monitoring system.
We favour an incrementally rising national price on carbon. Specifically carbon fee-and dividend can reduce GHG emissions while creating jobs and protecting the poor and middle class during our transition to a decarbonized economy. Carbon fee-and-dividend can make what might be perceived as a challenging transition a positive change that will directly benefit middle and low income earners.
Citizens’ Climate LobbyNelson-West Kootenay Chapter
Letter to the Editor re: Democracy in Action
I want to congratulate all four candidates who put themselves forward for the election on Monday. It is no small thing to engage in an election campaign. I also want to congratulate Wayne Stetski and his campaign team on his victory. It was a hair–raising (should I say hair–losing?) night with the margin of victory being so slim, and the lead changing hands so many times through the night.
But most of all, I want to congratulate the citizens of this riding. An astonishing 73.8 per cent of people came out to vote, including an amazing number of young people and first time voters. Well done Kootenay Columbia! The future of democracy looks a little brighter today.
Yme WoensdregtCranbrook
Letter to the Editor re: Thanks to election workers
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 230,000 Canadians who contributed to the successful delivery of the 42nd general election.
Once again, Canadians were willing to take time from their busy lives, making personal and professional sacrifices to work long hours to ensure their fellow citizens could exercise their democratic right to vote and receive the election results without delay following the close of the polls. I am overwhelmed by the exceptional professionalism and dedication our election workers have demonstrated in serving Canadian electors, often in very challenging circumstances.
Some three million more Canadians voted at this federal general election than at the 2011 election, resulting in the highest voter turnout in more than 20 years. There was a remarkable level of voter activity throughout the election, which in some instances resulted in wait times at both the advance polls and on election day. Our election workers provided the best service possible to their friends and neighbours in communities across our great land – for that is the true strength of our electoral process: Canadians working hard to make it possible for their fellow Canadians to choose the elected officials who will represent them in the House of Commons.
There will be time in the coming weeks and months to review our electoral procedures and consider ways they could be modernized for future elections. For now, our dedicated election workers should take great pride in their accomplishments and important contributions to our society. I know that all Canadians join me in thanking them for their excellent work in the service of democracy.
Marc MayrandChief Electoral Officer of Canada
Letter to the Editor: To Don Johnston
I did vote for you, Don, honestly, but I did get the impression that you had not been trying that hard. Sometimes I thought you had disappeared off the face of the earth.
Anyway, from what I’ve heard you wouldn’t have liked the job too much. Ex-politicians tell me that it is so frustrating trying to get the wishes of your constituents over to those in power. Maybe next time, eh?
But, when I did cast that vote for you I felt that it was an utter waste of time. It was 4 o’clock on voting day and I already knew that your Liberals had won and that your Justin was the designate prime minister. Somebody just has to suppress completely the results of all polls until the last one on Vancouver Island has closed. The present situation is ludicrous.
Peter WarlandCranbrook
