— Pamela Roth
Why are you running in the federal election? That’s a question Green Party candidate Jo-Ann Roberts has been asked a lot during her quest to become the next MP for Victoria.
A veteran journalist for 37 years who is best known as the host of the arts and current affairs program All Points West on CBC Radio One in Victoria, Roberts left her job to speak out about the government’s current vision for Canada.
“It was not my vision. I felt that in this election I had to be free to do something more active than what I was able to do with the CBC,” said Roberts, who initially planned on leaving her job to be an advocate.
“It became pretty obvious that one of the best ways to be part of the discussion is to run as a candidate. When I read vision Green, it felt like it fit with my values.”
According to Roberts, Victoria is a unique and green city that wants a member of parliament that can bring that vision and experience to the rest of the country.
What she’s noticed from going door-to-door is people are somewhat living in fear about the possibility of having another Conservative majority.
“They are trying to figure out the best way to stop that,” said Roberts, who believes she can speak strongly on social issues, climate issues, and crown corporations like CBC and Canada Post.
“We’re doing a lot of things really well here. We understand how to take on the issue of climate change better than any parts of the country. That’s something we can share with the rest of Canada.”
Roberts first began working for the CBC in 1976, starting her career on the East Coast. She entered journalism to inform listeners and affect positive change for Canada, and is the recipient of numerous journalism awards.
Roberts is married to Ken Kelly, an urban planner who is the general manager of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. The pair have four adult children, Christoper, Claire, Alyson and Meghan, and are expecting their first grandchild in April.