How are YOU going to vote in the provincial elections coming up on Tuesday, May 12th? 

The Market Insights Forum series had a pre-election special in which representatives from each of the major parties had an opportunity to speak about GREEN BUILDING!  Not one of those boring debates on issues that don’t always affect our way of life, but one at the center of what we do. 

The session was moderated by the wonderful Helen Goodland (no I’m not kissing up to the boss!) from Lighthouse and background presentations were given by Juvarya Warsi from Lighthouse, Dave Ramslie from the Sustainability Development Program at the City of Vancouver and Keith Sashaw from the VRCA.  The information and metrics they presented were extremely interesting to set the scene, especially the forward role the City of Vancouver is taking in their ‘Getting to Zero’ program by 2030.  The program attacks the issue as they look at first conserve by reducing demand by 50%, secondly increase efficiency via performance codes starting in 2016 and updating every 5 years, and lastly by infusing renewable energy sources through an energy policy plan.  Dave is an enormously entertaining and engaging speaker, if you ever have the chance to see him speak - do it. For a copy of Dave’s presentation, click here: strategic_approach_to_carbon_basic

The politicians then spoke - the NDP, Green Party, and Liberals were there- the Conservatives came down sick (hopefully they don’t forget about the issue!).

The NDP was represented by Shane Simpson and the centerpiece to their platform is the ‘Green Bond’ initiative that will infuse $10 billion (yes, billion with a ‘b’) over the next 10 years to invest in green issues including transit, infrastructure, retrofits, and a ‘green tech fund’. For more go to: http://www.bcndp.ca/

The Green Party was represented by Damian Kettlewell and he mentioned the Green’s commitment to green jobs, clean tech jobs, and energy conservation jobs, but the centerpiece of their platform is the BC-STV (single transferable vote) which would completely change the voting system to reportedly give a more fair representation. For more go to:  http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/

The Liberals were represented by Joan McIntyre and the centerpiece of their platform is the carbon tax including regional cap & trade and continuing the greening measures of the BCBC including extension of the ‘Wood First’ program. For more go to: http://www.bcliberals.com/

The highlight of the morning was when our very own Andy Kohler gave the last question to the politicians demanding more leadership by the government to set into law high standards to our green goals and allow the designers and builders to reach those standards with innovative techniques, otherwise it’s just talk and no action. It got a huge rise out of the crowd and surprised the politicians - GO ANDY!

Please make sure to get out and VOTE on Tuesday and celebrate our democracy!
There will be more Market Insights Forums coming up, check back for details.