Election 43 - Environment & Equity in Party Platforms
The reality is that altering the built environment is more effective than retrofitting buildings or incentivizing electric vehicles - but are our federal party’s talking about it?
On October 21, Canadians go to the polls. For many, their vote will be determined by climate change and each party’s plans to address it.
The reality of climate change is alarming, but research has shown that we can reverse its health and environmental impacts through planned community design. In fact, creating walkable and transit-oriented communities is the most effective way to reduce household greenhouse gas - more effective than energy-efficient vehicles or houses. The beauty of designing our cities in a way that addresses climate change (as opposed to - or as well as - retrofitting buildings or subsidizing electric vehicles) are the many benefits that look and feel great too - social connection, fresh air, safe streets, and more equitable communities.
We want to see policies that support a healthy environment and don’t leave equity behind - transit that is accessible as well as sustainable, housing that is energy efficient and affordable. Though climate change is included in the platform of the main federal parties, do they discuss climate change and the built environment? Do they consider equity in our communities? We looked into it, and here’s what we found:
Liberals
In their 2019 platform, the Liberal Party does not directly discuss the built environment of our cities. Instead, they talk about public transit and an existing government program, the “Investing in Canada Plan” that provides infrastructure funding to cities and communities. Calgary’s Green Line LRT Project and the Bus Rapid Transit System both received funding through this plan. The party also states that it will require that “federal investments in public transit support zero-emission buses and rail systems, starting in 2023” and to “retrofit 1.5 million homes, over the next five years”.
What the research says:
Transit users are healthier simply from walking to and from transit stops
Creating walkable and transit-oriented communities is the most effective way to reduce household greenhouse gas
Read the full Liberal platform here
Conservatives
The Conservative Party discusses climate change in terms of community adaptability to extreme weather. They also intend to improve upon or build new wetlands or other natural environments that “provide low-cost protection against floods, drought, and water quality issues, while also providing value like recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and carbon sequestration.” The party is also prioritizing infrastructure spending for roads, bridges, and ports, including projects like the subway system extension in Ontario. They will also introduce a “Green Public Transit Tax Credit to reduce the cost of public transit.”
What the research says:
People who have access to green space are much more likely to get the physical activity they need
Read the full Conservative Party platform here
Greens
In their platform, the Green Party states that under their leadership it will be “easy and safe to bike and walk around our cities, thanks to programs that fund municipal active transportation networks” and their plan to “Create a national cycling and walking infrastructure fund to help support zero emissions active transportation.” They also commit to providing affordable and reliable transit to rural and remote communities.
Like the Liberals and NDP, the Greens also intend to “Launch a massive energy efficiency retrofit of residential, commercial and institutional buildings”.
What the research says:
2/3 of household greenhouse gas emissions in Canada come from personal transportation
A commuting cyclist has 1/10th the environmental footprint of someone who drives to work
Read the full Green Party platform here
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party discusses active transportation and community design in their platform, stating that “Better commutes include promoting smart community planning and active transportation like walking and cycling, helping Canadians make choices that are healthier and more affordable for everyone.” They also address equity in their plan to “modernize and expand public transit in communities across Canada” committing to help municipalities and provinces create fare free transit.
The NDP also commit to connecting seniors to their communities by “working with cities to make transit more affordable and convenient, create more community recreation spaces, and support innovative housing solutions like intergenerational co-housing.”
Like the Liberals and Greens, the NDP will retrofit homes, with a target of retrofitting all housing stock by 2050. Their housing plan also calls for the creation of 500,000 affordable rental units and a fund for communities to “kick-start construction of co-ops, social and non-profit housing.”
What the research says:
When there are accessible pathways and destinations, people walk more. Even those who report “not being that into walking” will walk more in walkable environments, simply because it is convenient, with measurable health benefits
Suburban sprawl leads to isolation among Canada’s seniors. Isolated seniors are four to five times more likely to be hospitalized and are at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and dementia compared to someone who is socially engaged. Access to public transportation and community spaces would have an impact on climate change, health, and equity