The Citizen invited Ottawa candidates from the four main parties to write a short article explaining what they will do for their local riding if elected. Some chose to participate; others did not. Today, Carleton riding Green party candidate Mark Watson:
Your vote in this next federal election is critical. Canada is facing an existential threat. Our sovereignty and democracy are under siege while our planet burns.
My motivation for running in the riding of Carleton is simple. I want to try to leave this world a little better then when I found it.
I chose the GPC because its neither left or right; it’s forward. Canada’s governments have forever been Liberal or Conservative. Election reforms have long been promised but as we saw in 2015, once in power, there is little incentive for a governing party to change a system that benefits it. By voting Green you are voting for people, the planet and CHANGE!
Donald Trump swept to power by spreading lies, conspiracy theories and promoting catchy slogans. We now see the consequences. In the past week alone, $9 trillion in wealth has vaporized from the global stock markets, recession is looming, and inflation is once again rearing its ugly head. From an economic point of view, many say we are heading towards a nuclear winter.
The biggest threat to democracy is the amplification of misinformation. It’s hurting our mental health and eroding our social fabric. Democracy thrives on trust. When trust erodes — when people no longer believe in elections, institutions, or truth itself — democracy collapses.
In recent years, my community of Dunrobin was hit by a tornado, floods and heat waves that devastated the lives of many families. Climate change is real and if you need more evidence, you need only look at your increasing insurance rates. Building more fossil fuel infrastructure may give Canada short-term gain, but it will create long-term pain.
Canada is now free from the shackles of the United States. We are the masters of our destiny, and it’s time to invest in ourselves. The industries of tomorrow will be driven by technology, sustainability and evolving consumer needs, with strong growth in areas such as AI, renewable energy, cybersecurity and health care.
We must eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and invest in our next generation of startups. But first, we must take care of the basics. Clean air, water, and food: Our local farmers who risk it all to bring healthy food to our tables need our support. We also need to eliminate industrial toxins which are contaminating our environment and making us sick, while providing doctors for everyone.
Shelter:
Red tape, developer fees and a shortage of tradespeople have created a housing crisis. The Singapore “HDB” housing model offers a tried and tested solution to deliver affordable housing quickly. We must stop the export of raw logs and build affordable homes, with Canadian materials, labour, solar panels and heat pumps.
Security:
Let’s cancel the F-35 and invest in icebreakers and submarines made from Canadian steel to secure our NorthWest passage. Let’s create a National Civil Defence Corps to strengthen Canada’s resilience and sovereignty
In this time of crisis, we all need to think different. Make your vote count. Vote Green!
Mark Watson is the Green party candidate in Carleton riding.
