By Stuart Benson
La Pêche voters will have a chance to question their local candidates on how they will help tackle the climate crisis on Oct. 26 when the La Pêche Coalition for a Green New Deal hosts its upcoming “dialogue” on climate.
Hosted in partnership with Équiterre’s Vire au Vert mobilization initiative, and with help from the Wakefield Writer’s Fest, the Coalition will host an “all-candidates dialogue” inviting contenders from every ward, as well as for mayor, to answer questions about the environment and the climate crisis.
“The climate crisis is the number one priority for the majority of Quebecers,” explained coalition member Yolande Henry. “It’s really important.”
Henry explained that the coalition was currently formulating questions to pose to the candidates and would soon reach out for suggestions from voters, but said that the goal was to inform voters of where their candidates stood on issues from water, health, and security; local climate action plans; public transportation; public waste reduction; and public green spaces.
“Being a rural area, water, agriculture, and public transportation are of utmost importance,” Henry added. “We're also compiling questions that look at biodiversity, the health and well-being of the population, affordable housing, and river water quality.”
While the climate crisis was a major issue in the recent federal elections, the issue can sometimes struggle to generate interest during smaller municipal elections. Henry argues that it will take all levels of government to truly address the problem.
So far, Henry said the coalition has received confirmation of attendance from mayoral candidate Guillaume Lamoureux, Ward 1 candidate Daniel Laflèche, and Ward 4 candidates Monica Blaylock, and Pierre Lebel. However, Henry is sure that, like the federal candidate Q&A, most, if not all of the candidates will have been confirmed by the time of the event.
“Hopefully the rest will trickle in,” Henry added. “[A]nd if they don't participate, that will speak volumes.”
The La Pêche Coalition for a Green New Deal will host their “Dialogue with municipal candidates” on Oct. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Centre Wakefield La Pêche. For more information, you can visit their Facebook event page at bit.ly/3FDm78j.
The coalition will also be hosting a “Code Red Climate Cafe” on Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front deck of the Black Sheep Inn, as part of the Council of Canadians cross Canada Climate Code Red week of action. The coalition is inviting residents to stop in to discuss their climate concerns and what actions they can take locally to mitigate its effects.