Let’s Vote for Nature this Election!
Let’s Vote for Nature this Election!
WRITTEN BY EMMA FACKENTHALL, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
Here are some questions to ask candidates in your riding
New Brunswickers will elect a new provincial government on Monday, Oct. 21.
We’re asking our members and supporters to make sure you cast a ballot this election season—and we hope you’ll make nature and a healthy environment a priority when you do.
It’s up to us to cast a ballot for all those who can’t—the beautiful fauna and flora in our province; the rivers, lakes and streams that feed drinking water aquifers and flow down into the Bay of Fundy; the rich Wabanaki/Acadian Forest, wetlands, Appalachian Hardwood Forest, and coastline that define so much about and provide so much to life in our province.
The Nature Trust and our allies at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-NB Chapter, Nature NB, and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, want to make it easier for you to find out where New Brunswick’s main political parties and your local candidates stand when it comes to protecting nature and fighting climate change.
TAKE OUR PLEDGE TO VOTE FOR NATURE THIS ELECTION!
Scroll down for our recommendations of questions you can ask candidates at your door or campaigning online to help you vote for nature on Oct. 21.
Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Want to know where your returning office is? Need to register to vote by mail?
Find the answers to these questions and more on the Elections NB website.
Will you and your party commit to protecting 30 percent of New Brunswick's land and oceans by 2030?
Canada has committed to international goals of protecting 30 per cent of land and water by 2030. New Brunswick needs to establish provincial targets and a sound plan to execute and meet these requirements in the next six years. This initiative must place an emphasis on Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship, coastal health, and creating more protected watersheds. How will you take on and address this issue?
Will you and your party commit to developing strong regulations that protect New Brunswick’s coasts, wetlands, flood plains, old forests, eelgrass beds, and salt marshes?
Nature plays a crucial role in fighting climate change. Forests, floodplains, oceans, and wetlands work as carbon sinks, drawing down and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will help stop the enhanced greenhouse effect which is leading us to irreversible climate change. How do you endeavor to restore and conserve these essential environments so that effective carbon sequestration can take place?
Will you and your party commit to increase investments and support for the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas?
Indigenous knowledge systems are deeply eco-centric and place deep value in clean and undisturbed environments. Most settler activities have done the opposite. In an era of simultaneous reconciliation and climate change, it is now time to highlight the importance and value of Indigenous eco-stewardship and give Indigenous peoples the lead in the sustainable management of their lands. Do you pledge to increase investments and support for Indigenous-led conservation, including the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas?
Will you and your party commit to modernizing the policies, strategies, and Acts that protect nature and ensure resilience in the face of climate change?
Climate change is causing instability and rapid fluctuations in environments, marring the equilibrium naturally present in nature. In 2024, there have been many policies and strategies implemented to preserve New Brunswick’s nature, however, many of these strategies, such as the biodiversity strategy and the forest plan, need modernization to reflect current climate change mitigation strategies and the state of the province. The discrepancy and lack of clarity in the monitoring process has prevented these initiatives from reaching their full potential. The next government needs to update these policies with clearly defined guidelines, measurable outcomes, and realistic timelines. In some cases, the establishment of baseline datasets may also be required. Throughout this process, it is imperative that Indigenous communities are included as equal partners, and that non-government environment stakeholders are also part of the team. Will you and your party commit to updating these policies and what timeline do you propose for doing so?
We sent a survey to Party Leaders to learn more about their plans to keep nature as a top priority.
As of October 8, 2024, we’ve received responses from: David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick; Susan Holt, Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association; and Alex White, Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party.
Click on the question to see the answers from the leaders.
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David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick: Yes, a Green government is committed to developing an action plan in consultation with conservation groups, local governments, and First Nations to ensure that 30% of New Brunswick’s lands, freshwater, and ocean are permanently protected by 2030.
Susan Holt, Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association: Nature protection and conservation were prioritized during our policy biennial in February 2024. Our members passed a resolution recognizing the risks facing New Brunswick’s environment including the impacts of climate change and the existing gaps in nature and wildlife protection, and committing to collaborating with experts and conservation groups to develop a plan to protect 30% of New Brunswick’s lands and water by 2030. As a first step we are promising to increase our conservation lands and waters from 10% to 15% during our first mandate, and to work with communities, First Nations, and experts to develop a plan to reach 30% that includes key climate-fighting ecosystems like wetlands, floodplains and marshes.
Alex White, Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party: The NB NDP would commit to enacting protections for 30% of these habitats by 2030. We would look at the best processes currently used in various jurisdictions, including legislative, regulatory, and grassroots, and consult with experts to ensure that we protect and preserve the environment and natural resources for generations to come.
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David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick: Yes, the Green Party is committed to developing strong regulations that protect our coasts, wetlands, floodplains, old forests, eelgrass beds, and salt marshes. We will establish a Coastal Protection Authority to oversee and coordinate efforts to protect New Brunswick’s 2,250 km of coastline, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach to conservation and climate resilience. Additionally, we will create a Climate Change Risk Reduction Fund to support necessary infrastructure investments that safeguard these vital ecosystems and vulnerable communities from flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme weather.
Susan Holt, Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association: The impacts of climate change are hitting New Brunswick more than ever before and the challenges intersect with several different government departments’ priorities and policies. New Brunswickers deserve a sustainable, safe and clean environment. A Holt government will adopt a collaborative approach to leverage innovation and sector expertise to protect New Brunswickers, our forests, coastlines and waterways, working with municipalities, Regional Service Commissions, not-for-profit organizations, and First Nations to create local solutions to combat climate change and nature loss. This will include evaluating the Climate Change Action plan, recommendations from the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship and existing regulations in order to identify and rectify gaps and protect key ecosystems including wetlands, floodplains, marshes, forests and coastlines. We will also implement a Coastal Erosion Plan to protect our communities.
Alex White, Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party: We will indeed commit to developing a robust, strong regulatory framework to protect all of the biodiversity in our province, including the named biomes.
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David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick: Yes, the Green Party is committed to increasing investments and support for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives and the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. By working closely with Indigenous communities and entering into partnership agreements with First Nations for the co-management and stewardship of Crown lands, we can ensure that their traditional knowledge and stewardship practices are integrated into our conservation efforts. This collaboration will strengthen our climate planning and enhance the protection of our natural landscapes, recognizing and respecting the crucial role Indigenous peoples play in preserving our environment.
Susan Holt, Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association: A critical part of moving on environmental objectives is building trust with First Nations and valuing Indigenous knowledge across the province. Our party is committed to establishing relationships with First Nations based on respect and a nation-to-nation relationship with a shared understanding of treaty obligations and recognition of rights. We appreciate that building trust will take time and care and our engagement will be anchored in transparency, communication, collaboration and co-creation on all files, including conservation. We are committed to working with Indigenous-led groups to ensure alignment and achieve conservation and protection goals.
Alex White, Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party: Once again, this is exactly something that the NBNDP would move towards. We seek partnership and expertise, and Indigenous-led conservation and protected areas is one way we can achieve that. This is an excellent idea!
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David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick: Yes, the Green Party is committed to modernizing the policies, action plans, and laws that protect wildlife and habitat to ensure resilience in the face of climate change. This involves updating existing regulations, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and integrating the latest scientific research to effectively safeguard our natural environment.
Susan Holt, Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association: We are at a turning point when it comes to climate change and it is critical that we approach policies relating to the environment, conservation and wildlife protection to solve the problems of today, while having an eye on the future. Building resilience is key in the face of climate challenges. We have heard the experts stress the need to review policies in order to ensure relevance, clarity, appropriate management and risk mitigation. A Holt government will adopt, in collaboration with sector and community experts, the solutions necessary to combat and mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure our province remains resilient in the face of extreme weather events and changes. This will include updating the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act to guarantee that everyone has the right to and is able to access clean air and water in New Brunswick.
Alex White, Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party: With the situation that climate change is bringing into our lives, which we see already, the policies and plans that are in place need to be updated and made safe and appropriate for the future. We can ensure to protect nature and ourselves, building a resilient system. We would absolutely commit to this.