Climate crisis and affordable housing priorities for Bell

The environment and affordable housing are priorities for the NDP and especially for NDP Bay of Quinte candidate Stephanie Bell.

Bell, who also represented the NDP in the 2019 federal election, appeared on CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show Friday.

She says the New Democrats will set a target of reducing Canada’s emissions by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 because the only way to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 is to act now.

“I don’t think we meet those targets if we have a Liberal government or definitely wouldn’t if we have a Conservative government. But they’re very close targets because of the reality and because we take seriously the science. We know that this is happening.”

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has committed to building 500,000 new homes and initiatives to help build, renovate and preserve 1.7 million homes.

Bell says an NDP investment in affordable homes is an investment in people and in the future.

“We need for folks to have stable homes so that they can go and get decent jobs so that they can, you know, eat. And this creates jobs so it is, like, an economy booster. It can help our economy. It doesn’t have to be a detriment to us.”

Bell also believes tiny homes are another way to alleviate the housing crisis.

Bell, who finished third in the 2019 election,has been working in the service industry for the past ten years and is strong advocate for local transportation initiatives and affordable housing.

She says her experience as a member of the working class is what drives her desire for social justice.