Get to know your Green Party candidate for the Courtenay-Alberni riding: Chris Markevich.
Tell us about yourself
I’m excited to be running for the federal Green Party in the next election. For over 10 years, I’ve been working with political movements across Canada to help lay out a social democratic vision that brings Canadians together and lifts everyone up. After spending nearly a decade working and volunteering with the NDP, I knew that I needed to make a change. The challenges facing us in the world today demand bold, radical actions on the part of our government. I strongly feel that only the Green Party of Canada can make the case for that change.
We have all seen the overlapping crises unfold around the world, and the Green Party has always been a steady and responsible voice for peace and stability. Building upon the Six Core Principles that Green parties around the world share, we will continue to be that voice at home and abroad. I’m excited to be a small part of amplifying that voice, and to light the way for a better future for all of us on this planet.
What do you think is the most important issue for the area and why?
The toxic drug crisis has devastated communities across this riding, from Courtenay to Port Alberni and beyond. I’ve had the opportunity to personally tour harm reduction centres in Port Alberni and Courtenay, and even though the services provided are making a difference, they’re simply not enough. We need wraparound services, from harm reduction, to prevention, healthcare, recovery, housing and beyond. We also need to regulate the drug supply and the recovery centres, with federal funding committed to directly addressing community needs. This includes declaring a national public health emergency, which the Green Party has been calling for since at least 2019. There also has to be buy-in from the communities, including the business community, parks boards and healthcare providers. We need all hands on deck to address these overlapping crises.
What are you hearing when door-knocking?
Courtenay-Alberni has very few clinics. The Comox Valley in particular has only one walk-in clinic to service 50,000 people, with many residents on waiting lists to get a family doctor. We need to introduce a Primary Care Health Act to guarantee access to a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or community health care team. I believe we need to focus on underserved and rural areas and provide stable funding for Indigenous-led health services, mobile health clinics, and expanded telemedicine. There’s also a serious need for better, safer transportation options through the Alberni Valley into Ucluelet and Tofino. Wildfires in the area caused significant damage and road delays, costing municipalities millions in lost revenue.
What is your position on tariffs and the trade war?
Under Donald Trump’s presidency, the United States of America – the world’s largest economic and military power, our neighbour and longtime ally – is embracing fascism, turning away from the values and freedom our brothers and sisters valiantly fought and died for. Recent trade disputes show Canada must protect its economic independence. We need strategies that secure our resources and create good jobs at home. The Green Party has outlined a series of concrete measures to protect Canada’s national security and sovereignty, including strengthening diplomatic relations with like-minded democracies, divesting from US-owned defence and IT-system acquisitions, ensuring Canada’s defence posture reflects current threats, and safeguarding our economy and jobs from US economic aggression, while ensuring these measures directly benefit workers and families as opposed to large corporations and conglomerates.
What are potential solutions to housing affordability and homelessness?
The Green Party’s first major policy to address income inequality is eliminating all federal income taxes on earnings under $40,000. This plan achieves tax elimination by raising the “basic personal amount” from $15,705 to $40,000 – the portion of income that all Canadians can earn without paying federal income tax. The Green Party will also launch the biggest public housing construction program since the 1970s. We’ll create good local jobs, and use Canadian materials. We’ll also build homes that people can actually afford. We will continue to push for a guaranteed livable income for all Canadians, in order to bring more people above the poverty line. This will reduce homelessness, crime, violence, and enhance public safety while providing a boost to local economies.
Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?
Courtenay-Alberni is a vast and geographically diverse area and is unique in many ways. There are numerous challenges facing people, from safe and reliable transportation through Port Alberni, to earthquake preparedness in Tofino and Ucluelet, and shipbreaking in Baynes Sound. People in the riding want an MP who will address those challenges head on in Parliament, and to be a tireless advocate for real progress on solving them. I am committed to being Courtenay-Alberni’s voice in Ottawa, and I am not afraid to make good trouble for any obstinate government, whether it ends up being Liberal or Conservative. We have an exciting opportunity to elect the first ever Green MP in this riding, and I am looking forward to the journey ahead with all of you.
