Hans Johnsen

The current climate of economic attack from the United States Administration requires all parties to work together benefitting Canada. This is one of the core beliefs of the Green party and our vision of politics done better. But it is also crucial that we not forget the other important issues that are intimately tied to the trade wars and to each other including affordability, housing, human rights, and climate change. There is no point in ‘winning’ a trade war while sacrificing normal peoples’ lives in the process. And make no mistake, each of these issues affect normal people. Climate change may seem like a distant problem, but if we fight the tariffs by ignoring the current and future cost of climate change, eventually we all will lose. We must fight sustainably. That means emphasizing sustainable energy, rather than fossil fuels to meet the shortcomings caused by the tariffs. Oil and Gas aren’t going away soon, but neither should we react by unnecessarily expanding them when more sustainable solutions exist. So yes, we can find new sources for our current fossil fuel needs when necessary, but let’s use this opportunity to reduce the need for fossil fuels. It will pay dividends even after this current tariff fight is over.  

As for me, I was born and raised in New Brunswick and attended the University of New Brunswick, where I earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science. In that time, I volunteered with an anti-poverty organization, kindling my interest in the wealth gap and reducing it through policy. Growing up on a farm and in the woods gave me a love of nature, which as an adult turned into an interest in climate change and the absolutely terrible effects it will have on normal people and the economy. I came to be involved with the Green Party when I realized that none of the other parties were taking it as seriously as warranted. That belief remains to this day. The other parties pay lip service.  They treat it as a separate, minor issue, rather than a key component of interrelated policies. In short, it’s the economy, stupid.  The economy cannot survive the coming devastation unless we change how we fuel it. The other parties choose short-term small savings for the economy when the long-term effects will be devastating if we don’t take action now.

I hope you will vote for me and send a message. Real, positive change is needed NOW, both to overcome the current crises in tariffs, sovereignty, affordability, and climate effects, and also to return the focus to the people as the engines of this country.