VOTING GREEN

As a young Canadian, I’m terrified about the outcome of this election and what it means for the future of our country. I remember sitting in a fourth grade classroom learning about climate change and thinking, “this is scary but I’m sure our leaders will deal with this by the time I’m a grown up.” My youthful naivety didn’t pan out, and now as a registered voter, I’m dismayed when reading the climate plans of the Liberals and Conservatives alike.

Trudeau’s Liberals have been a disappointment to many environmentalists, from purchasing the Trans Mountain Pipeline to implementing a carbon tax that allows special exclusions for some of the largest industrial polluters. Scheer’s Conservatives are an ever scarier prospect, as their understanding of our environment is juvenile at best and their absolute support to expand oil-sands and fracking infrastructure is stunning.

If the provincial election taught us anything it’s that P.E.I.’s political landscape is changing. It’s no longer a 'red' or 'blue' province where we have to vote for who our great-grandfathers did. As a proud resident of Egmont, I will be voting for Alex Clark, a local entrepreneur who understands the value of hard work and contributing to our communities, and also recognizes the necessity of leaving our children with a better world that we inherited. The Green Party has the strongest climate plan of any party, coupled with strong policies on healthcare, economic reform, and agriculture. I encourage everyone to compare the party platforms while keeping in mind the needs of future generations to inhabit a healthy planet.

Jill MacIntyre, Summerside