Is This the Climate Election?

Last weekend 5,8 million Canadians voted in advanced polls for the federal election, and we were among them. We've since learned that another million of us have requested mail-in ballots, an unprecedented number. This is encouraging, although we both struggled with how to vote in an election which shouldn't have been called in the first place. 

As Christians there are a number of issues which matter to us, some of which have received little attention. They include affordable housing for the most vulnerable and childcare, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We desire clear, welcoming refugee and immigration policies. We certainly care about Canada's abysmal record during the pandemic regarding protection for seniors, and general care for our elders. 

Our primary concern is how the federal government will address the climate emergency. This may turn out to be the hottest summer on record and we are witnessing more catastrophic weather events around the planet. This is an existential threat to Creation which requires a clear, practical, costed strategy. Some have termed this the Climate Election, although I'm not convinced that this is how Canadians view it. 

In 2019, economist Andrew Leach and climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe ranked the climate platforms of the political parties for Chatelaine magazine and they have updated it for this election. I have written about Hayhoe who is a Canadian and a Christian teaching in Texas. It is a state where many evangelicals are climate change deniers and where the government is central to the problem rather than part of the solution. I've appreciated her commitment to science and her persistent call to action without being adversarial. She is fond of saying that she doesn't "believe" in climate change because it's a matter of scientific fact rather than faith. 

Leach and Hayhoe aren't exactly thrilled with any of the parties but here is the link to the Chatelaine article, and their report card for 2021: 

The Grades

Conservatives: B for ambition, B- for feasibility
Greens: A+ for ambition, C- for feasibility
Liberals: A- for ambition, A- for feasibility
NDP: A for ambition, C- for feasibility
BQ: N/A for ambition, B+ for feasibility

https://www.chatelaine.com/news/canada-election-2021-climate-plans-graded/