Alberta Election - Environment Questions for Your Candidates - April 16, 2012
Alberta residents will be heading to the polls on April 23rd, 2012 to vote for their next provincial government. The question is, which of the candidates aligns with your environmental values?
To help you with your research, we've drafted 7 questions (listed below) that you can use at an election forum or at your front door.
Banff-Cochrane residents, you have the opportunity to raise your concerns with the candidates this week. Please join us at your local Candidate Public Forum:
Canmore - April 17, 2012
Canmore Senior Centre - Creekside Hall
7:00-9:00pm
Banff - April 19, 2012
Banff Park Lodge
7:00-9:00pm
Happy voting,
Wendy Francis
Y2Y Program Director
1. Endangered Species
Will you be a champion for a strong endangered species law for Alberta?
| 2. Parks & Protected Areas Alberta's network of parks and protected areas is incomplete. Some areas, like the Foothills, are less than 1% protected, yet they are some of the most heavily impacted landscapes in the province.
Will you support creating new parks and protected areas on Alberta's public lands?
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| 3. Alberta Grizzlies Alberta's grizzly bears are legally listed as Threatened because fewer than 700 bears roam throughout the province. The network of industrial roads and trails, and their use by motorized riders, is one of the biggest causes of grizzly deaths. Will you work to create a better system to reduce the number and use of industrial access roads and trails?
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| 4. Castle Watershed
Southwestern Alberta's Castle Watershed is one of the most beautiful and ecologically significant areas in all of Alberta. The current government calls it a "Special Place" and yet has approved new logging that is going on today. What will you do to implement the wishes of the 80% of local people who are opposed to logging and the 74% who are in support of creating a new park in the Castle?
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| 5. Caribou Habitat
The proposed federal government recovery strategy for Caribou allows for continued habitat destruction in areas where some of the most vulnerable caribou herds are found. What steps will you take to ensure that a provincial implementation plan protects ALL caribou herds in Alberta?
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| 6. Room to Roam
Wild animals need room to roam, especially as the climate changes. The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative promotes an international wildlife corridor that includes Alberta's foothills and mountains.
Will you work with Y2Y to help ensure that animals can navigate through Alberta's public lands?
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7. Land Use
Alberta's publicly-owned lands are subject to multiple uses that have impacts on wildlife, recreational opportunities and water quality. Industrial, agricultural, recreational and other uses are growing and competing for a finite land base. There currently is no government oversight that ensures a balance between these activities and the needs of wildlife, clean water, and low impact recreation.
Will you advocate for comprehensive land use planning so that all activities and uses are carefully planned and balanced?
