Who is Kathy Code?
“It is my nature to serve my community and over the years, I have been involved in many non-profit organizations, most recently the Ecoforestry Institute Society and Fairy Creek. In 2017, I retired from the BC Government as an economic development policy analyst, with skills in policy analysis, communications, project management, strategic thinking and program implementation.
“Best of all, I learned how government works. I have lived in this riding since 2012, installing an orchard, veggie gardens and a greenhouse on my property. At heart, I am a policy wonk who cares about people and gets stuff done.”
What are you hearing at the door?
“People are incredibly paranoid that the Conservatives might win the riding and some have pressured me into throwing the Green Party under the bus. That’s not going to happen,” she says. “The Green Party is the party of social and environmental justice and the voice for the people.
“In addition, I’m hearing that affordability of day to day living and the American tariffs and other threats are extremely concerning. Our Protecting Canada plan addresses the American concerns, and we will soon have a costed platform available for voters.”
The Issues: Tariffs, Housing and Inter-Provincial Trade
Housing:
“The Cowichan Malahat Langford riding is a huge territory with a mix of urban and rural development. The urban centres of Langford and Duncan are busy constructing more supply, but most people are still unable to afford the down payment,” she says. “Meanwhile, rural folks, while acknowledging the need for more housing especially if they still have adult children at home, are very protective of the natural habitat in which they live.
“The answer is government funded housing cooperatives that use covenants to make sure housing built with public money stays affordable forever. We will close loopholes to stop criminals from using real estate to hide dirty money, eliminate the unfair tax advantages for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and stop corporations from buying single family homes. We will also develop a Strategic Reserve, buying up products made from Canadian raw resources such as aluminum, forest products, potash, bitumen, and holding them to build homes, for Canadians.”
Tariffs:
“The Green Party is ready to roll up its sleeves and protect workers, farmers and businesses through its Protecting Canada document. It contains a full range of international, border, defence, economic and legal remedies designed to protect Canadians,” she says. “We propose the creation of an economic NATO, offering a safe haven for the UN HQ, closer ties with the EU, and recognizing the state of Palestine.
“We would beef up border security, increase our shipbuilding and submarine capacities, suspend the $80 billion F35 acquisition and create well-paying jobs for a 130,000 civilian Federal Home Guard. We propose creating a Federal Strategic Reserve of aluminum, steel, lumber, rare earth, potash so that we can build public housing, etc. for Canadians. We would guarantee strong financial support for small and medium sized businesses impacted by tariffs and other American threats.”
Riding issues:
“While corporations make bigger profits and find ways to hide their billions, the Greens advocate for the elimination of federal income taxes on earnings under $40,000,” she says. “This transformative change will make sure working Canadians keep more of what they earn, strengthen local businesses and revitalize communities by ensuring Canadians have more disposable income to spend; and help break the cycle of debt for those forced to spend more than they earn on basic necessities. For someone earning $40,000, this means around $3,644 more in their pocket each year.
“Corporations will no longer be afforded big subsidies and the Greens will close the loopholes that allow for wealth disparity. The Greens also advocate for universal health care and pharmaceuticals, food security, free education and access to public housing that will ease the financial strain on Canadians from coast to coast to coast. A Basic Guaranteed Income will also become available.”
Voters will head to the polls on April 28.
