Residents in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding will go to the polls on April 28 to vote in the federal election. We invited the five nominated candidates to weigh in on current issues. Paul Manly, running for the Greens, provided the following answers. Responses may have been lightly edited for clarity.
What is your position on U.S. tariffs, and what approach should Canada take in managing its relationship with the United States?
U.S. tariffs are already costing Canada jobs and threatening our security. Instead of retaliatory measures that would further hurt Canadian families, the Green Party would apply targeted export tariffs on resources the U.S. cannot do without — potash, critical minerals, electricity, and aluminum — and create strategic reserves of our raw resources to strengthen our position and protect Canadians.
We would stop sending raw logs south and buying back finished lumber at premium prices. That drains wealth from our communities when we could be creating good-paying local jobs by processing these logs here at home.
We would also create an "economic NATO" with like-minded democracies in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond, to better protect Canada from U.S. economic threats.
Major tax cuts are being proposed during the election campaign. Do you believe this could affect the government’s ability to fund social programs due to reduced revenue?
Past corporate tax cuts under successive Liberal and Conservative governments directly led to reduced funding for affordable housing, healthcare, and social services — creating today's affordability crisis and our crumbling healthcare system.
The Green Party proposes shifting the tax burden from struggling Canadians to those who can afford to pay. We would eliminate federal income tax on earnings under $40,000, while implementing a wealth tax on the ultra-wealthy and restoring corporate tax rates to 21 per cent for big businesses.
Additionally, we would implement a 0.2 per cent financial transaction tax on trades involving stocks, bonds, derivatives, and currencies and eliminate wasteful corporate subsidies. These measures would generate sufficient revenue to properly fund essential social programs while providing relief to working Canadians who need it most.
Housing affordability in Canada is a key issue in this election. As an MP, how would you and the federal government help Canadians buy homes and manage rising rents?
The Green Party would tackle the housing crisis with practical solutions. We understand that hardworking people simply can't afford homes anymore.
Our plan includes building one million affordable homes that will remain affordable permanently. We'll invest in energy-efficient prefabricated housing built by Canadian workers using Canadian materials. We'll restore the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to its original purpose: building homes Canadians can afford. And we'll ensure that "affordable" actually means what it should — no one paying more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. We'll stop big corporations from buying up homes and driving up prices. By eliminating advantages for real estate investment trusts, we'll return housing to its true purpose — providing stable homes where Canadian families can build their futures.
What specific actions would you support to fight climate change and protect Canada’s environment?
The Green Party would take practical action to address climate change while protecting Canada's natural environment. We would rapidly transition to clean electricity from solar, wind, hydro and geothermal, creating good jobs for Canadians in the process.
We would set clear, legally binding targets to achieve zero emissions by 2050. We would stop giving taxpayer money to oil and gas companies, redirecting these funds to help homeowners and businesses become more energy-efficient. And we'll make sure Canadians can access affordable and efficient public transportation through better bus and rail networks.
Working with Indigenous communities, who have been environmental stewards since time immemorial, we'll protect 30 per cent of Canada's land and waters by 2030. And we’ll also immediately halt the destruction of endangered old-growth forests.
What steps would you, as an MP, like to see taken to address the opioid crisis?
The Green Party would tackle the opioid crisis with an approach that prioritizes both compassion and accountability. We would ensure immediate access to treatment and detox beds for anyone seeking help, recognizing that delays cost lives.
We support providing a regulated safe supply of prescription opioids, like fentanyl patches, for those struggling with addiction. People experiencing homelessness with addiction issues need stable housing with wraparound support services, including specialized complex care facilities for those with mental health challenges.
Pharmaceutical companies that created this crisis by flooding the market with opioids while misleading health professionals must be held financially responsible for funding treatment programs. We would pursue criminal prosecution of executives who knowingly misrepresented these dangerous drugs, while focusing law enforcement efforts on disrupting toxic drug supply networks.
