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Climate change a big election issue for local residents

Need for action on the minds of Chemainus United Church members
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Elaine Cann. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Climate change seems to be one of the foremost topics of concern brought up regularly already on the federal election campaign and that was reinforced during a discussion with Chemainus United Church members.

“Government should concentrate on a number of things,” said John Silins.

“No. 1 is to eliminate carbon emissions. Two, concentrate on the effort to change the way we live to be more carbon neutral.”

Silins added it’s important both from an economic and social point of view “because without action on climate change we’re going to cease to exist.”

“That’s what I feel, too,” said Phyllis Armstrong of Saltair. “I think at this point in time we have to try to become carbon neutral and somehow convince people.”

“Climate change is definitely an issue,” concurred Elaine Cann of Chemainus. “I think also possibly this is more provincial than federal - health and seniors. Advocating for seniors is an issue also.”

Ken Graham of Chemainus went a bit further with climate change to say the conversation is much too simple.

“There is a human caused aspect and there is a lot of climate change that’s a natural part of the functioning of the solar system,” he said.

“When it changes, how much influence is beyond our control? We’re not seeing in the publicity the natural affect discussed very much.”

More issues on the minds of local residents will be addressed in the next three weeks before voting day on Monday, Oct. 21.

You can find more election coverage from the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford candidates at www.chemainusvalleycourier.ca.

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Phyllis Armstrong. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Ken Graham. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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John Silins. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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