Federal Green Party candidates Tara Howse and Robert Mellalieu will be in Penticton tonight to attend the Green New Deal town hall at 6:30 p.m. at 501 Main St.
The Green New Deal is the party’s platform for addressing climate change and rising inequality by focusing on justice for Indigenous peoples, racialized communities and workers, according to a Green Party media release.
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“Bringing people from all walks of life together, to develop a shared vision grounded in our communities is the only way to create solutions that work,” the release reads. “The Green Party embraces, supports and furthers the Green New Deal policy through it’s fully costed, fiscally responsible platform - Mission: Possible.”
Howse, the party candidate for South Okanagan-West Kootenay, is known for engaging in local issues that have to do with systemic problems that continue to perpetuate injustice. She focuses on social justice, transparency and equitable access primarily targeting heavy corporate influences impacting government policy and decisions.
Mellalieu, the party candidate for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, is considered to be an active community leader serving as director of the Greater Westside Board of Trade, West Kelowna Daybreak Rotary and Westside Toastmasters. His focus is the long-term economic viability of the Green Party’s policies, which include moving away from oil to the emerging green economy.
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The media release also states that to have a sustainable economy, the government must address homelessness and the equity gap, which is a significant issue locally.
“For example, analysts consistently state that housing people is significantly cheaper than leaving them on the street. Canada needs strong leadership to advance through this period of environmental and economic opportunity.
“These conversations are necessary for us to make the step-change required to protect our planet from the documented risks of climate change. By addressing the issues at a local level, Canadians can learn to prosper and thrive in the new green economy. Working together, we can all prosper during this transition period,” the release states.
On June 11, Howse will be hosting a meet and greet coffee house in the morning at the Nest and Nectar at 301-1475 Fairview Rd. in Penticton. Mellalieu will also be attending.