Four candidates are campaigning to represent the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding as MLA. General election day is October 19.
Christopher Hergesheimer (Green Party of BC), and Randene Neill (BC NDP), Greg Reid (Independent) and Chris Moore (Conservative Party of BC) were asked the following question:
What do you believe is the most pressing issue for the province as a whole and how would you work to address it if your party forms government?
Here is the response from Christopher Hergesheimer (Green Party):
The most pressing issue right now for the province is affordability. However, our legitimate anger and frustration for the current state of things is in part, misdirected.
Corporations lobbying governments for outrageous subsidies, while allowing the economic prosperity of this province to be siphoned to overseas accounts and interests are at the root of the affordability crisis.
Multinational corporations, who are in the business of the consolidation of wealth and not our well-being, have become powerful engines that are undermining our democratic systems of government. They have been entwined in provincial and national politics for so long it has become commonplace and we have forgotten that we should be outraged.
Admittedly, governments at all levels have taken a less than firm approach to regulation, wealth taxes and ensuring that local sustained economic development directly follows from large corporate projects, so there is blame to go around. But the fixation on blaming government for the deeds of seemingly all powerful corporations has become a discourse that doesn’t serve British Columbians. And judging by a continuous low voter turnout at the polls, it’s also clearly not effective.
As MLA, we do have powerful tools to change the state of things. I will work to reign in corporate power and profits by lobbying senior levels of government for more progressive taxation and the reduction of subsidies. Industry should benefit local communities in this province, not generate billions in corporate profits that are made on the backs of local communities, workers and ecosystems.
Powell River Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates meeting from 6 to 8 pm in Evergreen Theatre at Powell River Recreation Complex on Monday, October 7.
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