By CKPG News

Audrey McKinnon

Candidate Questions: Audrey McKinnon – Cariboo-Prince George

Sep 10, 2021 | 8:22 AM

Why are you running for office?

We are at a turning point in Canada where we can become a leader when it comes to the climate and to social justice, and I want Cariboo-Prince George to be at the forefront of the change we need.

As a former CBC Radio reporter and host, I have interviewed thousands of people in this riding. At my current job at Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, I have developed a greater understanding of the strengths of the communities I serve. As someone who has lived in poverty as a young adult and as a single parent, I understand the barriers people face in improving their circumstances and finding health and stability. As a parent, I too worry about the future my child will have to grow up in — between extreme weather events due to the climate crisis and an increasing wealth gap making life less affordable for younger generations.

All of these concerns culminate in my desire to serve, to help and to give back and I am honoured to be running and will be honoured to represent Cariboo-Prince George in Parliament.

How does your party plan to address the issue of climate change?

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We’re focused on eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and investing in good, sustainable jobs to make a just transition from fossil fuels and to help reach our goal of reducing emissions by at least 50% by 2030. Our plan includes retrofitting all buildings by 2050 for energy efficiency and resilience, creating a National Crisis Strategy, protecting 30% of our land, freshwater and oceans and implementing UNDRIP while respecting and trusting Indigenous land stewards on the path forward together.

How would you address the challenges facing some Aboriginal communities across our region?

There are 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and only a fragment of them have been acted upon. We asked Elders and Survivors to relive their trauma and tell the Truth, now we must commit to Reconciliation without excuse and without delay.

That includes finding every child and bringing them home. Thousands of children have been confirmed in unmarked burial sites across this country and Canada should be responsible to fully fund the search, commemoration, reburial and protection of residential school cemeteries according to the wishes of Indigenous communities and Survivors.

What’s your stance on the development of pipelines?

I certainly don’t think we should be resurrecting Enbridge, as the Conservatives have said they will, and I certainly don’t think the federal government should be buying a pipeline, as the Liberal government did.

It’s time for us to kick our addiction to fossil fuels and we have been moving continuously in the wrong direction. I believe the NDP is the only party with the courage to stop the flow of oil by creating jobs we can live with sustainably.

How high a priority is affordable child care for your party? What’s your party’s pitch?

It’s a requirement. Lack of affordable childcare disproportionately impacts women and negatively impacts the economy.

The NDP will work with all provinces to implement $10-a-day childcare, while creating enough spaces so parents don’t have to spend months and years on waitlists. We will also ensure childcare workers are paid a fair, livable wage.

What’s your party’s stance on vaccinations? Should they be mandatory?

We believe in mandatory vaccinations for all federal employees, except for those with medical exemptions, and that we need to work with public sector unions to provide education and remove barriers for employees to get vaccinated.

Additionally, everybody should be able to easily get and use proof of vaccination so that everyone can travel and stay safe.

Vaccines are safe, effective and our only ticket out of the COVID-19 pandemic. We need as many people on board as possible to protect unvaccinated children and those who have medical reasons for not getting vaccinated.

What would you do to help seniors?

We have legislated many seniors into poverty and we can legislate them out of poverty with a Guaranteed Livable Income that meets their needs. Pharmacare, which the Liberals and Conservatives voted against, will mean seniors can afford their medication.

We also plan to strengthen public pensions to improve retirement security, fund a national dementia strategy and an elder abuse prevention plan, and take the profit out of long-term care.

How would you address the opioid crisis?

Three parts to this:

1. Decriminalize simple possession of drugs so that it can be regulated and we can prevent thousands of people from dying from an increasingly toxic supply. If drug users die, they can’t access the services they need to stop using.
2. Address poverty, which is also driving the toxicity of illegal drugs. We can do that with a guaranteed livable income for people with disabilities to start, and by creating more affordable housing.
3. Expand access to addictions treatment, and incorporate Mental Healthcare and Pharmacare into our Universal Healthcare system so people can access help before they are in a mental health crisis and so they can afford the medications they need.

Where in the riding do you live? Why? What are your favourite places to spend time in?

I live in the Westwood area of Prince George. I bought my first house here a few months ago after renting for nearly two decades.

I love going for walks at Ginter’s and Moore’s Meadows with my family and my beautiful dog, Mr. Peanutbutter, but my very favourite place to spend time is at home in my garden.

Who’s your favourite singer/band?

I love the Snotty Nose Rez Kids! I was at their last concert here in Prince George before COVID and the energy was incredible, their message needs to be heard and they themselves as artists are truly inspiring. I have a ton of respect for them as fellow artists.