Kamloops Greens’ hoping to ensure environmental concerns are not lost this election

KAMLOOPS — It wasn’t the best week to be in the Green Party camp, as the co-leaders were last minute exclusions from the federal leaders debates with the commission stating they have failed to meet two of the three needed criteria thresholds to participate. The Greens have historically done their best work on Vancouver Island, but current polls have them winning just a single seat in Ontario.

“They do have the major concern about a Conservative majority. And so my job of late is to allow people to understand when we boil our choices down to just two parties we are losing a selection of our democracy, which is very sad. And I always ask people to vote in hope not in fear,” said Owen Madden, Green candidate in Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies.

Much like the New Democrats, the Greens are looking to ensure it’s a minority parliament, with the ability to help sway policy.

“Oftentimes, coalitions work out to be very responsible governments and Green parties around the world — B.C. is no exception at the provincial level — they often end up in a coalition holding a larger party responsible and accountable when it comes to climate change and other challenges we have,” said Madden.

The Shuswap-Central-Rockies riding is massive, stretching from Kamloops to the Alberta border.

“I’m proud to say I believe we can represent everyone’s opinions in this riding, both rural and urban. And I can say everyone whether they are rural or urban are feeling the pinch of today’s incredibly unaffordable life in Canada,” added Madden.

Jenna Lindley, the Green candidate in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola, has not responded to any interview requests.