Ahead of the April 28 federal election, Efteen sent a list of questions to each of the candidates seeking the Member of Parliament seat in Cariboo-Prince George.
Each candidate was asked the same questions, there are seven candidates total in the riding. These are the answers received by the Green Party's Jodie Capling.
Advance polls for the election are open April 18 to April 21 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. People can register to vote, check their registration status and find more information about the electoral process at Elections.ca.
What qualities or experiences make you the best candidate for voters in Cariboo-Prince George to cast their ballot for?
I grew up in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and this gives me a connection to and understanding of the people who live in our riding. After working and studying in different Canadian communities, I chose to make Williams Lake my home. I hold a master’s degree in resource management. My ability to listen, to be curious and open to diverse ideas, and my aptitude for leadership would be a benefit to the people in our riding.
What, in your view, is the biggest issue facing voters in Cariboo-Prince George? How will you address it?
While listening to people in our riding, I’ve heard a wide variety of people’s top concerns, ranging from the high cost of living, the need for a sustainable economy, dealing with U.S. tariffs, to the need for freedom of speech.
Many of these concerns are based in the economy and the environment. To address this we have to build a sustainable, low carbon economy that provides good jobs for Canadians. This includes moving away from shipping our raw or minimally processed resources straight out of the country. By promoting value-added processing of Canada’s natural resources, we create jobs for Canadians and increase the value we receive from the use of our natural resources.
Does your party believe that human-caused climate change is real, and if so, what concrete plans does your party have to tackle it?
Yes, the Green Party believes that human-caused climate change is real. Extreme weather, fires and floods are making life more expensive for everyone. The Green Party has a real plan to address the climate crisis, which includes:
- Stop giving public money to oil and gas companies and invest it in clean energy instead
- Hold big polluters responsible for the climate damage they cause
- Create strict, science-based limits on Canada’s total pollution
Given the riding's size and centralization of Prince George, how will you ensure all of your constituents are represented?
Letting people know that I truly want to hear about their opinions on how to make Canada better and what they need to improve their lives is key. As is being responsive when people take the time to reach out.
Using communication technology, including email and video meetings, can help ensure representation in a large riding. However, technology is not everyone’s preference, so when an in-person presence is required, I would travel to meet with people.
How is your party planning to deal with the trade threats coming from the U.S. administration, and/or the president’s talk of annexing Canada?
Retaliatory tariffs might feel justified in the moment, but trade wars hurt everyone.
Instead of reacting to the latest crisis, we need to build long-term solutions that make Canada’s economy more resilient to foreign tariffs, trade disputes, and changing economic situations.This includes creating better trading relationships between our provinces and diversifying our international trading partners. We also need to shift away from exporting unprocessed natural resources and move towards producing value-added products that create jobs for Canadians.
