Photo by Carol Hamilton / Getty Images
Municipal elections are taking place in jurisdictions across Canada and that provides an excellent opportunity for wildlife lovers and those concerned about the environment to drive priorities locally.
As a registered charity, The Fur-Bearers does not endorse or promote any political parties or candidates during elections. However, we strongly encourage participation in the democratic process, and have put together the following questions to help you figure out which candidates you may choose to support:
- How will you prioritize by-laws and policies that protect people and wildlife? Examples can include by-laws prohibiting feeding of wildlife, ensuring attractant management/waste management practices are enforced, etc.
- Growth is happening; how will you protect green spaces, connectivity, and environmental sustainability with increased development? It’s one thing to preserve occasional park space in an area of growth, but another to use best practices and connect it to the rest of the ecosystem through green corridors – essential for building a healthy urban and suburban ecosystem, reducing negative encounters with wildlife, and combatting climate change. Ask for specifics.
- Wildlife and environmental issues increasingly require municipal leadership, as provinces download these responsibilities to local governments or are unable/unwilling to take leadership on these issues. How will you lead on these issues, and how will you ensure decisions are science-based and ethical?
Municipal elections may not get the media attention of federal or provincial counterparts, but the municipal political landscape remains the most accessible opportunity for engagement and change. Thank you for participating in the democratic process.
Did you receive any interesting responses? Did you have questions that generated great conversation or debate? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram posts! You can also email us at info@TheFurBearers.com.
