Wauters joins COSN race for Green Party

All five national political parties in Canada will be represented in Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola (COSN) as the Green Party has acclaimed Brennan Wauters.

This won’t be Wauters’ first foray into the political scene after running for the Greens in the 2019 election in the Burnaby South riding, the riding is home to NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

Wauters, an electrical contractor by trade, joined Q101 to discuss why he chose to run for the Green Party.

“Twenty years ago we knew that there were going to be wildfires that were going to take place,” began Wauters. “Nothing should surprise anyone about these fires. I wouldn’t say just our riding requires a green perspective when it comes to leadership, the whole country really requires that, if not the entire globe.”

“My interest is really local, I’m not really looking forward to going to Ottawa because I think the real work that needs to be done is on the ground in the riding. That could be developing agriculture or installing solar panels so we have some sense of our resiliency within the riding to weather economic problems that are going to arise due to climate change, like forest fires,” added Wauters.

Wauters also has made a unique pledge to the constituents should he be elected.

As your representative at the federal level, I will sacrifice my personal wage as an MP and only accept the wage of a mid-ranking Canadian Soldier in solidarity with our national defence responsibilities AND because the average median income of Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola resides at approximately the same level. Any remaining wage provided to me above this median amount will be used to initiate the installation of solar panels on public buildings in the riding in cooperation with individuals and institutions in the riding.

Wauters stated that he`s running to be a conduit of the vote.

“I’m not interested in the glory of being an MP, that why you don`t see my face plastered on social media. I’m not interested in that role, my role is as a conduit for what a larger consensus of people want and wish for,” said Wauters.

The Green Party has recently been in the spotlight for perceived infighting between Leader Annamie Paul and Part leadership, however, Wauters doesn’t believe the noise is warranted.

“I think for me that’s all optics. The Green Party is very solid because if you look at the individual candidates that have come together, the quality of the candidates is outstanding,” said Wauters. “We have a real focus on scientific decision making.”

“I’m perfectly approachable, and I want to hear people’s ideas and concerns. I think the discussion is equally as important as the action. I remain committed to remaining as open and transparent as possible for voters, to give them the option that I think is radically different than what the made parties provide,” concluded Wauters.

Election day is Monday, September 20. Advanced polls are open Friday, September 10 – 13. Check your voter card or visit Elections Canada for your polling station.

Candidates on the ballot in COSN (in alphabetical order)

Conservatives – Dan Albas (Incumbent)

Liberals – Sarah Eves

People`s Party – Kathyrn McDonald

New Democrats – Joan Phillip

Green Party – Brennan Wauters