As part of their Election Coverage, the Daily News is asking questions of the candidates and printing their replies in the Wednesday and Friday editions of the paper.
The following was the "Pressing Question" for Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Should the provincial government appeal the Supreme Court's decision to enforce mariculture as a federal jurisdiction?
Gary Coons -New Democratic Party
Federal-provincial jurisdiction is a complicated issue.
We do want control of our ocean resources which is a key economic driver on the North Coast. Open net fish farming is very controversial and as a member of the Sustainable Aquaculture Committee I heard loud and clear "no fish farms on the north coast".
Contrary to Gordon Campbell's push, the BC NDP would implement the recommendations of the committee, including a transition to closed containment and promotion of the shellfish industry... including testing facilities on the North Coast.
Implementing the 52 recommendations would protect our, wild salmon and make the Supreme Court decision insignificant.
Lisa Girbav - Green Party
Yes, I believe the provincial government should appeal the Supreme Court's decision to enforce mariculture as a federal jurisdiction.
The Green Party of BC believes in restoring power to local governments and allowing them to make informed decisions on what happens in their region.
Why should the politicians in Ottawa make decisions on what happens on the West Coast? They probably don't even know what a fish looks like.
Herb Pond - Liberal Party of BC
The Supreme Court of BC recently determined that fin fish farms are a "fishery" and therefore fall under the exclu sive jurisdiction of the federal government.
I support the decision of the provincial not appeal this decision and to work with the federal government over the next 12 months to clarify roles and responsibilities.
I support communities on the north and central coasts who are currently working hard to create jobs and business opportunities in shellfish and kelp operations.
I will work with those First Nations communities to ensure responsible management, attract investors, find markets and train workers.
Showing posts with label Daily News Election questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily News Election questions. Show all posts
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Daily News Pressing Questions April 17, 2009
The Pressing Questions feature continued in Friday April 17ths edition of the Daily News, part of the papers ongoing election coverage.
The Question: "The provincial government has shown a commitment to South Delta Port. Do you believe it is time for the Port of Prince to become a priority for the provincial government?"
Gary Coons - New Democratic Party
Absolutely it is time for our port to become a priority. Our port is a more environmentally-friendly way to move products to Asia because it takes less time and the distance is shorter. Gordon Campbell assured British Columbians that funding would be provided on an equal basis for all BC Ports but the push for Delta has been foremost on his mind.
The economic health of the north is of the utmost importance. The BC NDP will be investing to support economic diversification and investments in port and rail infrastructure to all regions and sectors of the province.
Lisa Girbav - Green Party
Port expansion and the support of our container port should be a priority of the provincial government. The port provides long term sustainable jobs and brings much needed economic diversification to Prince Rupert. However, we do need to recognize that increased traffic can lead to problems. More ship traffic leads to increased pollution from fossil fuels as well as invasive species. As well, to fight climate change we need to rely more on local production and reduce long distance transportation as much as possible.
Herb Pond - Liberal Party of BC
Premier Campbell's government invested heavily into a strategy to attract Asian and North American cargo to ports in British Columbia - including funding for Fairview Phase 1, which created over 250 great work opportunities around Prince Rupert. Terminals are nothing without strong rail and road connections. The terminals of the Port of Prince Rupert benefited greatly from the $1 billion investment partnership that poured $185m back into the North through the Northern Development Initiative and that was the crucial catalyst for our new container Port. The Port of Prince Rupert was a priority of mine as Mayor of Prince Rupert. As MLA it will continue to be a priority for me and the BC Liberals.
The Question: "The provincial government has shown a commitment to South Delta Port. Do you believe it is time for the Port of Prince to become a priority for the provincial government?"
Gary Coons - New Democratic Party
Absolutely it is time for our port to become a priority. Our port is a more environmentally-friendly way to move products to Asia because it takes less time and the distance is shorter. Gordon Campbell assured British Columbians that funding would be provided on an equal basis for all BC Ports but the push for Delta has been foremost on his mind.
The economic health of the north is of the utmost importance. The BC NDP will be investing to support economic diversification and investments in port and rail infrastructure to all regions and sectors of the province.
Lisa Girbav - Green Party
Port expansion and the support of our container port should be a priority of the provincial government. The port provides long term sustainable jobs and brings much needed economic diversification to Prince Rupert. However, we do need to recognize that increased traffic can lead to problems. More ship traffic leads to increased pollution from fossil fuels as well as invasive species. As well, to fight climate change we need to rely more on local production and reduce long distance transportation as much as possible.
Herb Pond - Liberal Party of BC
Premier Campbell's government invested heavily into a strategy to attract Asian and North American cargo to ports in British Columbia - including funding for Fairview Phase 1, which created over 250 great work opportunities around Prince Rupert. Terminals are nothing without strong rail and road connections. The terminals of the Port of Prince Rupert benefited greatly from the $1 billion investment partnership that poured $185m back into the North through the Northern Development Initiative and that was the crucial catalyst for our new container Port. The Port of Prince Rupert was a priority of mine as Mayor of Prince Rupert. As MLA it will continue to be a priority for me and the BC Liberals.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Daily News Pressing Questions April 15, 2009
As part of their Election Coverage, the Daily News is asking questions of the candidates and printing their replies in the Wednesday and Friday editions of the paper.
The following was the "Pressing Question" for Wednesday, April15, 2009
How do we best protect our environment here on the North Coast while improving our commerce capacity?
Gary Coons -- New Democratic Party
A healthy economy depends on a healthy environment.
On Gordon Campbell's first day in office in 2001 he eliminated the Ministry of the Environment and cut environmental protection programs by 44%.
We need to take advantage of our natural resources, keep them in public hands and develop a clean affordable energy plan. (wind, tidal, etc).
Gordon Campbell's goal to lift the moratorium on offshore oil and crude oil tankers flies in the face of what British Columbians want.
The BC NDP Green Forest Plan will help with the vision of reforestation, diversification and innovation as we move forward info a green economy.
Lisa Girbav -- Green Party
An economy addicted to long distance transportation and multi-national corporations can never do a good job of protecting the environment. It is this economy that is now telling us we need to allow oil tankers to pass through our region and that we need to lower environmental standards to be more "competitive".
Instead, we need to support small business and local production of goods and services. The Green Party of Be will remove the provincial sales tax from Made in Be goods and will give support to businesses producing their own clean energy.
Herb Pond -- Liberal Party of BC
Premier Campbell is working with First Nations, business, and other stakeholders to balance employment opportunities with environmental protection. This leadership recently produced results on Haida Gwaii and the Central Coast.
While Mayor of Prince Rupert, we entered into a partner ship with Lax-Kw'Alaams, Metlakatla, Kitkatla, Hartley Bay, Port Edward and Prince Rupert to work together.
On the North Coast, the key to balancing economic opportunity with environmental protection is a stronger partnership between First Nations communities, municipalities, business and senior governments. I believed this as Mayor, as MLA I will fight to build relationships that balance our community's goals.
The following was the "Pressing Question" for Wednesday, April15, 2009
How do we best protect our environment here on the North Coast while improving our commerce capacity?
Gary Coons -- New Democratic Party
A healthy economy depends on a healthy environment.
On Gordon Campbell's first day in office in 2001 he eliminated the Ministry of the Environment and cut environmental protection programs by 44%.
We need to take advantage of our natural resources, keep them in public hands and develop a clean affordable energy plan. (wind, tidal, etc).
Gordon Campbell's goal to lift the moratorium on offshore oil and crude oil tankers flies in the face of what British Columbians want.
The BC NDP Green Forest Plan will help with the vision of reforestation, diversification and innovation as we move forward info a green economy.
Lisa Girbav -- Green Party
An economy addicted to long distance transportation and multi-national corporations can never do a good job of protecting the environment. It is this economy that is now telling us we need to allow oil tankers to pass through our region and that we need to lower environmental standards to be more "competitive".
Instead, we need to support small business and local production of goods and services. The Green Party of Be will remove the provincial sales tax from Made in Be goods and will give support to businesses producing their own clean energy.
Herb Pond -- Liberal Party of BC
Premier Campbell is working with First Nations, business, and other stakeholders to balance employment opportunities with environmental protection. This leadership recently produced results on Haida Gwaii and the Central Coast.
While Mayor of Prince Rupert, we entered into a partner ship with Lax-Kw'Alaams, Metlakatla, Kitkatla, Hartley Bay, Port Edward and Prince Rupert to work together.
On the North Coast, the key to balancing economic opportunity with environmental protection is a stronger partnership between First Nations communities, municipalities, business and senior governments. I believed this as Mayor, as MLA I will fight to build relationships that balance our community's goals.
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