This year, you made sure that the environment was indeed an election issue. Restoration of wetlands, the placement of bi-pole hydro-electric lines and climate change were just a few of the major issues that were debated in the 2011 provincial election. At the all-party environment forum, 200 people packed Winnipeg’s First Unitarian-Universalist Church to hear the candidates debate environmental issues. Now the at the election is over, lets hold our elected representatives to account, by continuing to pressure them to consider the environment as they pass legislation and especially in next year’s budget.
Myth
Pundits have been saying for months that the environment does not figure as an important issue for the electorate anymore. The Winnipeg Free Press said that “green is out of fashion,” while the Globe and Mail cites a poll conducted by advertising agency, Bensimon Byrne, to ask “Is the environmental movement dying?”
What do you think? Are environmental issues like wetlands loss, flooding, Lake Winnipeg protection, climate change or hydro-electric development options important issues for you this election? What about some of the issues that don’t make the news as often like pesticides or nuclear waste? What other environmental issues do you hope to hear parties address in this election?
Bipole is my pet environmental issue this election BUT it is not the only one.
In terms of biole, I personally prefer the “under the sea” cable as opposed to either east or west.
In order to preserve a significant chunk of pristine Boreal Forest of Canada I definitely rate going down the east side as the least preferable option. Contemplating a route that would virtually eliminate an opportunity to preserve a UNESCO World Heritage application is quite irresponsible. Two Provinces and five First Nations have joined forces to make this application. that alone is a significant applishment and it reflects how serious this is.
Building bipole on the east sidsmacks of a typical cheap and dirty solution. get in, get out and forget about environmental issues.
The only other option that deserves consideration is to reduce our use of electrical power so that more power is not necessary in the first place. This is a great idea and should be encouraged in any case.
Other issues worthy of my attention are:
-water rights / protection (maintaining natural wetlands, cleaning up Lake Winnipeg et al)
-bus rapid transit (NOT a ludicrous LRT per Mr. Katz)
-curbing urban sprawl (unlike Mr. Katz and his meg-developer gang)
-reducing, recycling, rethinking
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Hi, absolutely the environment factors in to my vote! The Eastside/Westside and preservation of the pristine wilderness on the Eastside is my focus, so NDP has my vote at this point. Although I haven’t always been satisfied with their efforts in protecting wilderness I think it better to go with the one we know rather than a wildcard! I understand 62% of voters are undecided on the issue of the Bipole III down the Westside/Eastside. Looks like a ‘golden’ opportunity for some politicians to make some ‘Brownie’ points. Freedom of speech is wonderful, isn’t it? And so is our Democracy and the Right to Vote. Come on everybody, let’s exercise that right and cast our vote for the protection of wilderness so that future generations can enjoy what remains!
Sue Ostapowich
As an active wildlife rehabilitator, I’m very disappointed that there is no government program to deal with injured and orphaned wildlife. Each year, thousands of wildlife are treated by non-profit rehabilitation organisations in Manitoba. Approximately 90% are injured due to adverse interaction with man’s environment. The government seems largely indifferent to their suffering, and the causes. This is inexcusable.