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Questioning candidates of Victoria: Jo-Ann Roberts – Green Party

What do you believe is the most important election issue for your riding and why?

What do you believe is the most important election issue for your riding and why?

People are concerned by the concentration of power we have seen abused by our current government. That one man has been able to set an agenda for this country that defies the wishes of the vast majority of Canadians is unacceptable. This concentration of power has seen our environmental laws decimated, scientific information censored, and dissenting views harassed. Our international reputation has suffered, inequality has grown and our constitutional rights have been challenged.

This approach to governing needs to change. The power of the Prime Minister’s Office needs to be curtailed dramatically and Canadians need to see that there is another way of doing politics, because no matter who replaces Stephen Harper, a majority they will be given the same powers to steamroll over opposition and enforce one view on Canada.

We need to elect MPs that represent people — not just those that elected them, but everyone in their riding. As it is now, MPs are beholden to the wishes of their leader and are punished for publicly disagreeing with them. The Green Party is the only party that gives this option to voters.