Three Ottawa election debates focus on environment

By Jason White

Three candidates' debates in Ottawa will focus on the environment, which organizers say has been historically undervalued in election cycles.

While the debates in Kanata-Carleton, Orléans and Ottawa Centre will focus on the environment, organizers say that topic actually covers a lot of ground.

“There are definitely connections between the environment and so many other issues,” said Robb Barnes, executive director, Ecology Ottawa. “So we might end up talking about the connection between climate action at the city level and social housing, for example, or about congestion and easing our commutes while tackling emissions from vehicles.”

While the environment may have been seen as a niche issue in the past, debate organizers believe the topic has a broad appeal across the electorate.

“We're seeing poll numbers now that place the environment really, really high on the list of priorities in Canada, because people are starting to see, I think, the effects of climate change,” Barnes told 1310 NEWS.

Thursday's three Ottawa debates are part of a national series, called 100 Debates on the Environment. The Ottawa debates are being organized by Ecology Ottawa with EnviroCentre and the Ottawa Food Policy Council.

Kanata-Carleton
Kanata Recreation Complex, Hall A
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Orléans
Just Food Farm – Red Barn
2391 Pepin Ct., Gloucester
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Ottawa Centre
Bronson Centre
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

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