Being a bit leary of political parties, some work from top down others reverse.. i have written S. Dion many times trying to encourage him on the environment, but i'm worried if some in his party are listening or will talk him out of it, as the political party sucess comes first in an election...some may see the economy as the priority.

Claire Rainville, Victoria BC

I'll make you a bet, that anyone who is taking this problem seriously is in the minority in this country. That includes people like you or myself who are members of this site.

I'd love to vote environmentally correct, and I will try. My worries are about the majority of people that have given up on caring about what happens in our great country. They'll continue to vote for the party that they're used to, or vote for their family or friends without a thought in the world about what party he/she represents.

The majority of Canadians are tired of being ripped off by both the Conservatives and the Liberals. Heck, it seems to be their policies to find as many ways as possible to over-spend our over-taxed dollar. At the same time, the're afraid of change, so they won't vote for the NDP or the Green Party or the Bloc. So in the end, where will we end up? We'll be back being screwed by their fears and leave those in power who we all know will continue to do so and laugh at us all the way to the polls.

I just wish the majority of Canadians would just wake up and smell the coffee! We need a change of direction and in my opinion it's neither with Harper or Dion. I only wish I knew who could lead our country into healthier future.

I have found that The Canadian Action Party has so many points that could work well with The Green Party. Problem they are so new, so small, so unknown, that I could be six feet under before they get any respect. How would I/we go about finding a foothold for them?

Harper? Sorry, he's a friend of David Rockefeller, so not a friend of mine!!!   Dion does not really seem to recognize that there is a part of Canada west of The Ontario Border, Though I hope he can change my mind with his visit here this weekend. Jack Layton is a wild card, I just don't know which way he will jump. He can't seem to get it together and do what is necessary for ALL the people.

- Face OFF  -   McCain and Obama on the Record !!!

Thanks for bring this topic - It is a hot one now days. I highy reccomend this article, it will help everyone one see the where our candidates stand in regards the envoronment, these are "On the record" statements http://audubonmagazine.org/features0809/politics.html

Pls pass it on. and pls dont forget how the last 8 or 16 years have been for this country- pls separate rhetoric from reality!!

Just wanted to comment on the last post about McCain and Obama:

Please keep your American politics in America.

It's muddle enough up here without that influence.

I detest seeing American election signs in Canada (on the Pat. Bay highway south of Sidney).

At this point, my greatest fear and concern is that Harper might end up with a majority.  That would be the worst possible situation for our Canadian environment.  I still cannot believe what is happening in the tarsands of Alberta.

Hate to point out the roots of democracy lie in the elite people of athens, whom had slaves to do their hard work. I see it virtually impossible to use the words successful economics and sustainable living in the same phrase, at least how the world is run now. Vote environment means to vote NDP? Green party is too 'fluffy'.

We are at the crossroads.

This election is crucial. I am not whatsoever political. Never been. But it seems clear to me that if we have one small chance to make a difference, one small opportunity to try and make Canada a world leader in the fight against pollution and global warming, we have to take it.

I am surprised, and even disapointed to see ecologists groups, like the David Suzuki Foundation, standing by and again asking Canadians to try and push the environment as a priority for the political parties. It NOT the time to go out and try to convince our fellow canadians to consider the environment as an important issue. It is time for the Suzuki Foundation to take the lead, take a stand and help us decide which political party is best suited for the job of protecting the environment.

We don't have time to read and understand all the programs of all the political parties. I am not an expert in the global warming situation, nor  in the pollution problem. But the David Suzuki Foundation (along with other environmental groups) is. I think that, because we are at the crossroads, because, there almost for sure no tomorrow if we don't start and do something about it NOW, because I don't care about the economy, the social problems and any other issue if there is no more earth..., because of all that, I think the David Suzuki should go out and support the political program that seems the best for the environment.

Help Canadians make the right decision on Oct. 14. Go out and tell us which one we should go for.

I think that the Liberal Party has the best program for the environment. I remember that Stephane Dion got praised in the past from the Environmentalists for the aggressivness of his views and stands on the environment. Shouldn't we give him a chance ? At least, we need to get rid of the conservatives who will kill, not us because wil will survive, but kill our children or, at best, our grand children.

David Suzuki : tell us what Party should be elected and let's rally and vote for it.

Thanks.

David Giguere

I would just like to say, instead of worrying about what you think is going to happen, you should think about what you want to happen and just go for it. I am a strong beleiver in action. If you believe in the Green Party's policies more than any other party, then you should get actively involved, donate your time, a little bit of money, get a sign for your lawn, just get involved and spread the word of what you believe in the most. I beleive in the Green Party and they are who I am going to vote for in this election. This is a small party with very little funding, they have the smallest signage but they have the strongest beliefs about what I beleive in. I am not going to vote for anyone else - no, "because I think there might be a split" - no. We must be strong and positive and vote for what we truly believe in or else we are cheating and lying to ourselves and others. Cheers! Roots Mama

go to www.greenparty.ca

I am watching and listening very carefully. 

I don't like our boys being in Afghanistan so I won't be voting Conservative, that's a given.  I view Canada as peacekeepers and I would like to see us maintain that stance.

I heard someone say yesterday that the Greens wouldn't be good for our economy and I think that is an unsubstantiated comment but obviously that is the underground rumour.

I will vote for the party that has the most courage in going after the exploiters of our environment.  I haven't voted Liberal for years as we lost our home to the local liberal party here but I think I am leaning right now between the Liberals and the NDP and perhaps the Liberals have a better chance of getting the Conservatives out.

My god, " tells us who to vote for"??????? Dr. Suzuki can only state his opinions, albeit, very well educated opinions, but he cannot tell you who to vote for. Though he could try, but I hope some of you still have enough intelligence to make your own logical conclusions.

If you can't make up your own mind on who to vote for, give me your ballot and I'll decide for you. Or, if you want my opinion, to vote GREEN would be for either the Green Party or the NDP.

I agree with Phyllis, we need a party with some backbone, but still, I will not tell you or anyone else on who to vote for.

Good luck David, I hope you make the right decision.

I believe the liberals, the NDP and the Green parties all have decent plans for the environment. The liberals have their Green shift, the NDP have a record of introducing bills on the environment and the greens have the very fabric of their party rooted in the environment.

You must take it upon yourselves to research which version of these plans will be better for the country as a whole. No-one wants to see the economy suffer too badly, but no-one can perfectly predict where the economy is headed anyway. The economy card has caused too many bad decisions in the past. People forget about the issues and then get scared into voting conservative.

I live in Elizabeth May's riding of central nova. She is running against conservative party powerhouse (and progressive conservative executioner) Peter Mackay. The NDP are running a retired school teacher, Louise Lorefice and the Liberals are not running a candidate. Last election I voted NDP (for Alexis MacDonald, who had the backing of Stephen Lewis) but this election I am voting Green.

Even if I wasn't concerned about the environment I would still vote NDP or Green. The old parties are increasingly out of touch with Canadians, they are ready to pass on policies to us that they want, from the top down. They are too willing to lie. For example: Peter MacKay promised when he was leader of the Progressive Conservatives that he would not merge with the Canadian Alliance Party, but he lied. He gave his word to the people of eastern Canada and he broke it.  For that one move alone, for being a liar, he would never get my vote.

Last election we held a debate here at ST.F.X. University for the candidates of this riding. Peter gave a good, confident show but many of the things he was saying were exaggerations or predictions. The liberal candidate didn’t have a clue and the Green and the communist parties weren’t really with it either. The NDP was the obvious best choice candidate, but she still didn’t win.

I am voting for Elizabeth May. She has the best chance at unseating a conservative giant and she as leader of the greens would be a very powerful voice in the House of Commons. With no liberal candidate May has a very good chance to win this seat. With the help of the upcoming leaders debates and the potential support of students across the country the greens could make history.

I believe in the power of individuals making a difference.  However not all individuals want to bother to vote or feel that there vote will make a difference.  They may have concerns and place the Environment as a number one issue but they still feel that things won't change.  I think this website is brillant in raising an issue, however I do feel with the urgency of the issue that some support by scientists for a party that appears to have the environment as it's main focus would help that party's campagin.  I hope this makes sense I am not asking Dr.David Suzuki to tell us who to vote for, but if his support can help the party that he feels is best for the Environment, why would he not want to show support?  Is this not part of being involved?  I proudly support a party and have a sign for them on my lawn - The Greens?

Thanks

This is probably going to sound like a very silly or stupid question but it is better for me to find out the answer now rather than on election day. My riding is not running a Green Party candidate, does that mean that there will be no option to vote Green on the my ballot?

Our voting system is a national disgrace. I mean, the Bloc and Green parties are both around 8% in popular support, yet the Bloc are expected to win 38 seats and the Greens a whopping goose egg. No wonder issues like the environment don't get the attention in parliament that Canadians want them to.

Our voting system forces people to vote strategically. To make your vote count for the environment, you should consider pair (or swap) voting.

More information at www.votepair.ca. Disclosure: I started the site out of frustration over how our voting system is a national disgrace. I am passionate about environmental issues. I want to see more balanced representation in parliament, including more green-focused members.

When deciding to vote for the environment I hope that it obvious to everyone that the important thing is to vote against the Conservative government. You may prefer one parties environmental platform to anothers but the Conservatives are the only party that is hostile to the environment. They've cut so many programs, they are the only party that has not boughtcarbon offsets for their campaign emissions, and at the last International climate change conference they tried to stall and block any progress by all of the other nations trying to make progress on Kyoto. Canada was considered the most regressive nation at the meeting. The world wondered what was wrong with us. So please make sure we stop the conservatives.

In the road to neo-con ruin:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/08/22/f-vp-mallick.html

Heather Mallick states why I am voting Liberal; Yes the conservatives lowered GST after lying about removing small business taxation. Yes the liberals embezzled some funds in Quebec (what else is new?). However the Liberals have not know towed to United States in a "Mee too" fashon. Bills C-61 and C-451 come to mind, yes I'm pro-choice but it's because I believe that religion and state have NO PLACE to become bedfelows, Harpers conservatives are too Chistrian for my liking, Jim Prentice stated that he drafted C-61 (ACTRA) that can have you fined up to $20,000 for unlocking your cell phone, or otherwise modifying items you have PURCHACED, smells like the american media lobby to me.

So as for Jack Layton and the Green Party / NDP, I cannot out of good consionce elect an offical whom's party is based upon the idea of pulling money out of thin air to give as a SOCIAL CREDIT. Granted i am Anti-subsidy but that's to ensure that only viable businesses remain in this country; as to where the environment stands in all this?

Canada as a nation has and always will remain "Consious" of the environment, yet as a middle economic power we are a land of hypocrites. Alberta's oil sands are a testement to how we abuse our own land for corproate profit and employment. Other examples include the Maratimes and natural gas / oil platforms.

We claim to be clean yet we build dimaond mines in the north whom's tailing ponds destroy the underbrush whilst we power entire cities by diesel fuel, realistically we may offer lip service to the envionrment but it's the same lip service we've seen regarding taxes and education, it's the same lip service that all poloticians use.

I'll give dion this one chance; if he let's me down I'll write him myself.

Here is the mechanism I will be using to make a strategic choice in this election:

<a href="http://www.sindark.com/2008/09/12/voting-algorithm-flowchart-for-canadian-elections/">Voting algorithm flowchart for Canadian elections</a>

It seems these comments won't render HTML. Here is the raw link:

http://www.sindark.com/2008/09/12/voting-algorithm-flowchart-for-canadian-elections/

Why is the Suzuki Foundation and the Government forcing the issue of removing fish farms from the ocean onto land when they have not done the required research regarding the impact of  these land based fish farms?  There is a non compliant land based fish farm in Agassi BC illegally operating on rural residential land that is dumping it waste water directly into a seasonal runoff swale resulting in the contamination of private properties located down stream.  Seem like we're jumping from the frying pan into the fire!

With all due respect to Cindy Smith, I would ask that she and any others who post here do some basic research to keep the level of debate as high as it has been. Accusing the David Suzuki Foundation of not having "done the required research regarding the impact of these land based fish farms" is unfair, as anyone who is familiar with the work of the David Suzuki Foundation knows. The Foundation's researchers and biologists have done considerable research on both the challenges (environmental and economic) and opportunities with land-based fish farming. All of that information is readily available on the DSF website. Of particular interest is a report that the Foundation did with a number of other conservation groups, which can be found at http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Publications/Closed_System_Aquaculture.asp.

David, I very much appreciate your commentary and history of democracy.  One of the main issues with democracy now is that many organizations veil themselves as organizations that are grass root in origin when they are really just fronts for large corporations, interest groups or zealots of one bent or another.  Transparency in name and association is needed so that the message and the messenger are known.  Your organization personifies this transparency.  Bearing that in mind I would urge your organization to, as you say, actively put all parties and their candidates feet to the fire by questioning them on behalf of all Canadians and then have an unbiased source of information on your site.  You and your organization are valued because of how straightforward and committed you are to the environment.  This gives you the unique ability to inform and lead public opinion by asking informed questions that lay people may not consider because they are not as well-read or educated with regards to environmental issues.

By giving Canadians an unbiased, informed source to compare the different parties' environmental polices then each one of us can factor this information into a more informed choice for our next government. 

All parties spin their messages regardless of how well-intentioned they may be.  I urge you to come forward at this most important turning point in our country and in our environmental history both nationally and internationally and provide us with the unbiased in-depth source of information that we can turn to during this election and aid us in electing those who's stewardship of this issue will be guided by a vision of a future that is environmentally forward thinking because to paraphrase you, without the environment, there is no economy.

Thank you

Just commit to yourselves, ourselves to having a mindset of 0 emissions.Everyday!

Read Dr. Andrew Weavers book. Have fun in your actions and then others will be convinced too. Try to talk to others in a way that will make them want to participate but emphasize the need to avert a global catastrophe even tho it is not immediately visible to people.

I went for an electric bike and public transit because I am very anti fossil fuellled internal combustion engine. The exhaust, the attitude of drivers, the medical costs and losses from accidents and the design of society around its use is for me disconcerting. The noise is awful. I cant hear the birds and I am always stressed in traffic, as a pedestria, cyclist or driver. Why live like this surrounded by a sea of absurdity and metal, noise and exhaust. We have the most beautiful cities here in Canada . Imagine them traffic free. We would be much kinder to each other without traffic.

As for who to vote for.... it is obvious. ABC.

If you're voting for the environment, here's a group with a plan. For those who want it, they'll even recommend who to vote for in your riding, to avoid vote splitting:

http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/

Here's an idea. Be the first, or the second, third..., to upload a video definition of what Canada means to you. We could set the record straight: Canadians do care about the environment!

http://www.wordia.com/words/Canada/definitions

For a real chuckle, look up 'invention'.

I wish the Liberals, NDP and Greens would join together to defeat the Conservatives. I am going back and forth trying to decide who to vote for. All three parties have their negatives, but the three together with say proportional representation in the newly formed coalition could be a fantastic solution. An experienced governing party, a party the works for the common person with a backbone of green. The Right did it, why can't the left? If they don't we could see Harper harpooning the future with his agenda.

For those like me, who see merit in all three of the Liberal, NDP and Green platforms, now there's a tool to help us make an informed and coordinated strategic vote. Please go to http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/ . It's a website that analyses the latest polling results to make recommendations as to which party has the greatest chance of defeating the Conservative candidate in each swing riding. If just 20% of all "green-minded" voters followed the site's recommendations, it would result in a Liberal minority government with a strong NDP and Bloc presence and at least one Green Party MP. Whichever of the opposition parties you support, voting with the recommendations of http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/ will improve the standing of your favourite party even if you are in a riding where your vote will be better served going to another party. If like-minded people trust each other , we can end up with a better result than if we each act alone.

Since Anne FS has made the same comment in response to a number of different posts, I hope I can be forgiven for giving the same response that I've given to her other posts. 

Like Anne FS, I was originally sceptical about what appeared to be a Liberal bias in the www.voteforenvironment.ca website recommendations.  But I've watched as what was originally a Liberal recommendation for Hedy Fry in the Vancouver Centre riding changed to a Vote with your Heart recommendation as the polling data changed, and it became clear that the Conservative candidate was polling a distant third.  If the website really had a Liberal bias, they could easily have stuck with their original recommendation, or chosen to use different poll data to support a Liberal pick.

So given the urgency to vote out the Harper climate dinasaurs, I think it's worth considering strategic voting this time around, even if that means voting for Liberals in many ridings.

That said, I would much rather vote with my heart all the time, and know that my vote was going to count.  I think the Greens have the best platform in this election, but I know that our first-past-the-post electoral system means it is highly unlikely that Green MPs will be elected in more than one or two ridings in the country, despite garnering perhaps 10% or more of the popular vote.  So I encourage anyone voting strategically for the environment this time around to consider supporting electoral reform (ie. Fair Vote Canada  http://www.fairvote.ca/) so that we don't need to employ this kind of strategy in the future. 

Also, if you do vote strategically, the party you would normally have voted for won't get the money from Elections Canada for your vote, so you can always consider donating to that party to make up for the loss of your vote.