FREDERICTON - The Fredericton Chapter of Conservation Council Action (CCNB
Action) have probed candidates running in the upcoming municipal
election to discover where they stand on the environment.
“These questions are no-brainers. We are heartened that there are
candidates who are standing up to protect what is natural, diverse and
special about our city,” says Tracy Glynn, CCNB's Forest Campaigner and
Fredericton Chapter member. “Waffling on any of these issues
demonstrates a lack of attention to the concerns of Frederictonians and
the urgent need to act now to stave off catastrophic climate change and
multiple threats to our local ecosystems and health,” adds Glynn.
Tyler MacKenzie, a chapter member, says, “An election is a good time to
review our goals and vision for our community. We've been watching
Fredericton continue down a typical 20th century development path,
heedless of the mounting environmental, social and economic pressures of
the 21st century. We are now at a position where we really risk
sleepwalking our way into and unsustainable, unhappy and uneconomical
future – a fate we could avoid with an ambitious, visionary city
leadership. I think a growing number of Frederictonians are concerned
about these issues and think the candidates in this election would be
wise to address them with a greater priority.”
The survey asked candidates a series of “yes” or “no” questions on whether they would support:
• A moratorium on further development in the UNB woodlot?
• A ban on the development of the city's small parks?
• Revising zoning regulations to favour better urban planning and prevention of urban sprawl?
• A ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides in Fredericton?
• Responsible waste management including recycling access for apartment dwellers, support for composting and accessible bottle return on the downtown southside?
• Improved transportation policies including more accessible public transit and more bike lanes?
• A ban on shale gas development in the city and a public position against the industry in the province?
• Enhanced public participation and peer review processes in planning decisions?
The candidates were also invited to submit written explanations of their
positions. In summary, 13 of the 28 candidates running in the municipal
elections responded to the survey; 12 of 17 challengers or
non-incumbents (70%) responded and only 1 of the 11 incumbents (1%)
responded.
The responses of the candidates can be found by clicking on the candidate's name below.
List of candidates and their responses to the All Candidates Survey on the Environment
Brad Woodside; Mayor; incumbent
Dan R. Keenan; Councillor Ward 1; incumbent (acclaimed)
Bruce Grandy; Councillor Ward 2; incumbent
Mike O'Brien; Councillor Ward 3; incumbent (acclaimed)
Phil S. Ackerson; Councillor Ward 4
Eric W. Megarity; Councillor Ward 4; incumbent
Steven Hicks; Councillor Ward 5; incumbent
Marilyn K. Kerton; Councillor Ward 6; incumbent
Scott McConaghy; Councillor Ward 7; incumbent
A.M. (Sandy) DiGiacinto; Councillor Ward 8
Stephen A. Chase; Councillor Ward 9; incumbent (acclaimed)
Marven Grant; Councillor Ward 10
Stephen T. Kelly; Councillor Ward 10; incumbent
Misty McLaughlin; Councillor Ward 11
