October 2nd, 2007

Green ideas that deserve discussion

Posted by Dale Duncan

Cross-posted from Eye Daily.

Having never elected a representative to Queen’s Park, not to mention Parliament Hill, it’s hard for the Green Party to be taken seriously in Ontario. Aside from their relative lack of experience, the Greens fall victim to the idea that parties who know they won’t win can promise whatever they want (and therefore, we shouldn’t take their ideas too seriously).

There’s reason to pay attention to what the Greens are promising, though. This election (like many others) has been full of predictable pledges and calculated attacks from the Liberals, the Torys and the NDP. What’s more frustrating is that the Big Three seem to have two sets of values: those that they would hold “in an ideal world” and those that they hold “given the reality of the world we live in.”

The Greens no doubt play the same political games as the rest of them from time to time, and some of their ideas might not always be well thought-out or good. But compared to the mainstream parties, they’re not afraid to challenge the status quo. The more that new political parties (or even independents) are ignored during elections, the greater the likelihood that the electorate will be exposed to little more than stagnant, unimaginative, we’ll-just-tell-you-what-you-want-to-hear ideas.

And so, without further ado, I’d like to introduce 10 ideas from the Green Party’s platform that I believe are worthy of discussion, regardless of whether or not any Greens make it to Queen’s Park after the October 10 vote.

1. “Place the responsibility for the entire life cycle of products with the manufacturer or importer. Producers, not taxpayers, should be responsible for all the costs associated with manufacturing, distribution and disposal.”

2. “Implement deposit-return systems for selected products by 2010.”

3.” Introduce legislation to make organic recycling programs mandatory wherever large quantities of food are consumed.”

2. “Amend the 2006 Ontario Building Code to require all new commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, including apartment buildings, to be built to a minimum of LEED-certified rating.”

3. “Establish design and construction standards that require no net loss of permeability for residential and commercial development.”

4. “Introduce legislation that by 2009 requires all new developments in Ontario to be designed as walkable communities.”

5. “Reinstate the authority of municipalities to calculate development charges based on the true cost of growth for infrastructure and services, including roads; culture, parks and recreation; municipal offices; water, wastewater, waste and recycling; health care and health promotion; and any other downloaded services.”

6. “Invest $300 million over four years in infrastructure programs that foster local marketing and distribution systems that promote local food.”

7. “End funding for religious education in Ontario.”

8. “End standardized testing.”

9. “Lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years and increase electoral education in our schools.”

10. “Establish a statutory holiday on polling days for provincial and municipal elections to encourage voter participation.”