Politics · Canada · 2 hrs ago
Environmental voters in B.C. NDP strongholds consider switching to Green Party
Some environmentally conscious voters in the West Kootenays, a region of British Columbia, say they no longer feel represented by the provincial NDP.
The party has been in power for nine years and is seeking re-election under Leader David Eby.
One point of concern is a 9.5-hectare forest parcel near Nelson that is slated for logging.
Ecologists estimate the forest is about 240 years old, just short of the age for old-growth protection.
The NDP also promises to raise the province’s annual logging harvest from 30 million to 45 million cubic metres.
Voters interviewed in two NDP stronghold ridings say they are considering supporting the Green Party instead.
Their choices reflect a wider concern that the NDP is giving more attention to resource extraction and less to environmental issues.
British Columbians vote on Oct.
24.
Environmentally conscious voters in two West Kootenays NDP stronghold ridings say they are considering switching to the BC Green Party.
They are unhappy with what they see as the NDP’s retreat from forestry reform and its focus on resource extraction.
The NDP has promised to raise the province’s annual logging harvest from 30 million cubic metres to 45 million cubic metres.
Joe Karthein, a longtime NDP supporter and activist, said he plans to vote Green.
The provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 24.
- Who
- Environmentally conscious voters in two West Kootenays ridings, including activist Joe Karthein.
- What
- Some say they will switch from the NDP to the BC Green Party because of concerns about forestry and climate policy.
- When
- Ahead of the provincial election on Oct. 24; the year is not stated in the article text.
- Where
- The West Kootenays region of British Columbia, including the Nelson area.
- Why
- They are concerned about logging and feel the NDP has moved away from climate issues and forestry reform.
West Kootenays environmental voters
B.C. NDP
Forestry policy
West Kootenays environmental voters
Voters say the NDP has gone backwards on forestry reform and fear more forests will be logged.
B.C. NDP
The NDP has promised to increase the province’s annual logging harvest from 30 million cubic metres to 45 million cubic metres.
Party support
West Kootenays environmental voters
Some longtime NDP supporters say they will vote for the Green Party.
B.C. NDP
The NDP is seeking re-election after nine years in power.
We were promised a paradigm shift
But in so many measurable ways, we’ve seen regression on forestry reform, and we’ve gone backwards instead.
David Eby pledged to better protect old-growth forests by implementing recommendations from the Old Growth Strategic Review.
David Eby attended a provincial election campaign stop in Nelson.
Election day is scheduled in British Columbia.
- Logging harvest pledge
- Increase from 30 million to 45 million cubic metres annually
- Land slated for logging
- 9.5 hectares
- Forest age estimate
- Roughly 240 years
- Election day
- Oct. 24
- Voter cited
- Joe Karthein, an activist in the Nelson area
Sources
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