James Powell

Candidate Profile

James grew up in the Central Okanagan, met and married his wife Brittany there, and continues to have close ties with family in the area. His relocation to southern Vancouver Island has so far been rewarding and he has enjoyed meeting many of the people around him while developing a breadth of knowledge about the local communities.

Shortly after completing a B.A. in Political Science at UBC-Okanagan, the necessity of maintaining and enhancing the sustainable small farm model struck him as the most meaningful challenge to undertake. Thus, James produces naturally grown vegetables on his farm in the Metchosin area. He is the Treasurer of the Metchosin Producers Association and continues to work more in the community.

James will challenge the presumptions of the status quo and introduce ideas on how to keep our communities public, healthy, and sustainable. Keystone issues are agricultural infrastructure, the privatization of public property, and the revitalization of our economy. Also, we must find ways to keep our skyrocketing health care costs contained while not jeopardizing levels of service.

Green principles, such as buying local, and reducing and reusing before recycling, enshrine James' life. He is committed to making his community, province, country, and planet a better place; one that can remain beautiful and abundant for all future generations.

Questions

1. Please identify what you believe to be the most important issue in your riding and your plan to address that issue.
   

   I believe the most important issue in my riding is the removal of 28 000 hecatres of Western Forest Products land from Tree Farm Lisence and into private holding. In 2008, the Auditor General reported that this decision was not in the public interest. If this land is developed, there would be an increase in vehicle traffic along Highway 14 and further strain area infrastructure, while encouraging greater reliance on the automobile.
   
   I believe that the decision to sell the land should be rescinded and public consultation should shape the future use of the land. I would suggest that portions of it should be used in First Nations land claims negotiations, some could be considered for parkland, and the rest should remain in Tree Farm Lisence to be managed in a sustainable manner. No public land should be sold, especially at an undervalued price with no public consultation.