Submitted by CPAWS:
Unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples/Vancouver, BC – October 1, 2024
Voters in the Columbia River-Revelstoke constituency are invited to a town hall debate that will include a focus on nature and climate on the evening of Oct. 7, 2024 at the Golden Civic Center hosted by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia (CPAWS-BC), Wildsight and the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce.
“Recent polling shows the vast majority of voters support more protected areas on land and in the ocean with strong support among all major parties. It’s important for voters in Columbia River-Revelstoke to hear how their candidates intend to address their concerns about nature and climate,” says Eden Luymes, Youth Engagement Coordinator at CPAWS-BC.
The forum is non-partisan and all candidates in the riding have confirmed to attend, including Andrea Dunlop from the BC NDP, Scott McInnis from the Conservative Party of BC, and Calvin Beauchesne from the BC Green Party. Candidates will have a chance to share ideas and plans with the audience on key environmental issues that are front and centre in BC and the constituency.
Youth from the CPAWS-BC Young Leaders in Conservation Program will be developing and asking specific questions to candidates. There will be time allotted for audience Q&As towards the end of the panel.
“We need all generations in the room when discussing environmental management and policy. Today’s youth are inheriting an unbalanced planet, and it is critical for us to be included in the conversation so we can gain the current knowledge and provide the energy behind actions needed to preserve our future,” says Jessica Holden, a participant in the Young Leaders in Conservation Program who will be attending the town hall.
“Wildsight is grateful to be able to support this opportunity for young people and the community to hear directly from the candidates on issues that matter to us all. We know people in this region care deeply about the climate and biodiversity crises and are looking for real solutions that can give them hope for the future,” says Casey Brennan, Conservation Director with Wildsight.
Doors will open at 4 pm and the town hall starts at 5. Come early to mingle.
About the organizers:
CPAWS-BC is part of one of Canada’s oldest non-profit conservation groups. We advocate for the protection of wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We work with Indigenous, provincial and federal governments with the goal of creating large protected and interconnected areas: places that can nurse nature through climate change and shelter plants and animals forever.
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and inspire a shared desire to protect Canada’s Columbia and Rocky Mountain regions for future generations. We envision extensive and connected wild spaces for wildlife—from grizzly bears to woodpeckers to trout. We envision clean air and clear water running from mountain watersheds to our lakes. We see thriving and sustainable communities made up of engaged and educated citizens.
Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce was established in 1979. It is a membership-driven organization that works to support, grow and promote the business community of Golden, BC. Led by an Executive and Board of Directors we are diligent in representing the voice of all businesses, large or small, with the intention of strategically creating a vibrant and sustainable economic climate for our community.