MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones says the Liberal government plans to take a larger leadership role on environmental issues – and she’ll be part of the effort.
Environment is “a key aspect of Canada’s role in the world,” Goldsmith-Jones told The Squamish Chief following a speech to the Squamish Chamber of Commerce Thursday.
“Right here at home, it is a huge issue,” added the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP, who was recently appointed parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs. “I welcome your drive and ambition because we can absolutely play a larger leadership role.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Goldsmith-Jones he chose her for the role because of her leadership in the environment, engagement and native affairs, all factors in how the world views Canada. “He has taken a strong domestic approach to who we are in the world,” she said.
The Liberal government has already banned oil tankers from B.C.’s north coast and could take other measures to protect the environment, the MP said. In her speech, she noted the recent Northern B.C. earthquake was reportedly caused by fracking.
Following the Paris climate talks, the new push to meet greenhouse gas emission targets is also driving the Liberals’ focus on the environment. “That’s a huge challenge,” Goldsmith-Jones said of emission targets.
“Our riding has a leadership role to play in the country. It’s a huge responsibility,” she said.
The new MP said people in Ottawa tell her how lucky she is to live in the area that includes Whistler, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast.
During the a sold-out event at the Pine Cone Restaurant in downtown Squamish, she told the crowd of about 80 that she is worried about the previous government’s silence on environmental issues.
“I expect our riding to be as vocal as it always is,” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy, but it’s something we need to do, and I am prepared to take a leadership role in that regard.”
Goldsmith-Jones also noted the Liberals will improve relations with First Nations.
“We have a big job to do… there is a lot of goodwill to create,” she said, noting that “significant” change is already visible. “You see that in the cabinet already, from First Nations and Métis leaders. It’s not going to be as hard as you think. It is going to get in our way in the world until we improve.”
She added there will be “a lot of eyes on British Columbia as we go through the process of legalizing marijuana.”
Goldsmith-Jones plans to open a single constituency office in Horseshoe Bay to serve the riding, noting her budget for offices is limited and she prefers to spend most of it on staff. The office will be open six days a week including Saturdays, she noted.
In Ottawa, her office is in the Confederation Building, next to the West Block of Parliament. “It’s huge,” she said. “It’s way bigger than my apartment in Ottawa.”
She invited chamber members to use her offices if they’re doing business in Ottawa.
“When I saw my office… I thought either there is going to be greater responsibility – or they were going to say, ‘Sorry, at least you have a nice office.’”
She’s thrilled to be a parliamentary secretary and now sitting in the second row in the House of Commons, right behind cabinet ministers.
Goldsmith-Jones said she’s also pleased by Trudeau’s new approach in making cabinet 50 per cent female, even though no more women were elected as a percentage than in the previous election.
“It’s really exciting,” the MP noted. “Two months ago was election day…. In that short space of two months, Canada’s reputation in the world has improved dramatically. People who drive taxes and serve coffee are excited about the leadership of our government.”
The only public comments during the MP’s speech came from Mayor Patricia Heintzman and Brackendale Art Gallery owner Thor Froslev.
Heintzman asked about First Nations reconciliation. “We are trying locally to put more meaning into that whole thing,” the mayor said.
Froslev questioned Goldsmith-Jones on climate change, fish farms and fracking.
Goldsmith-Jones told The Squamish Chief that, from speaking with constituents in Squamish, the main issues seem to be housing, transportation and tourism, including balancing business and protecting the environment.
