By Ryan Windsor

The legislature in Victoria needs a conscience. For nearly two decades the Liberals and the NDP have held complete power over the voters of British Columbia. It has been thirteen years since anyone outside of these two parties have been elected to Victoria.

The result has been one party dictating 100 percent of the agenda while the other party opposes them 100 percent of the time. Nothing will change in Victoria until someone who is outside these two parties is elected to a seat in Victoria.

I believe I am the one to deliver this conscience. At the age of 30, I am equipped to address the needs of more experienced voters such as the baby boomers and also the needs and concerns of newer younger voters.

The riding of West Vancouver–Capilano is very aware of the importance of protecting the environment. We have professionals and investors living in the riding who can contribute to merging environmental and economic stewardship.

I grew up in West Vancouver and have spent most of my life watching this riding grow and change. I believe it can grow and change again by installing a conscience in Victoria that will end the sniping between the government and the opposition.

If we can return to effective government where solutions involve compromise instead of dictation, then the province will benefit and continue to grow stronger.

In order to truly protect our economy during these fragile economic times we need to work cooperatively to demonstrate strength in the international community. This cannot be achieved by one party making all the decisions and the other opposing all these decisions. I would work with all parties in the legislature to ensure that proper solutions are being formulated. Additionally, I would cooperate with both municipal and federal representatives to ensure B.C. is treated equitably.

One of my biggest concerns is how cumbersome it has become to open a small business in B.C. I would spearhead an initiative to reduce bureaucratic barriers to opening a small business. Specifically I believe that groups of investors should be able to apply to open a small energy business in the field of environmentally sound energy such as tidal, geothermal, and wind when it is convenient for them, not when it is convenient for the government and B.C. Hydro.

These investors have the right to sell the power at a rate that is reasonable but does not seek to bankrupt B.C. Hydro or individual British Columbians. B.C. Hydro should not be excluded from pursuing its own green power projects as is the case under the B.C. Liberals.

I would seek to end the era of investment from special interests by offering all British Columbians the opportunity to invest in these new green power projects.

We need to target tax cuts to businesses that are more environmentally sound and that have potential to create lasting economic benefits, including well-paying jobs.

We need to open up the Olympic process so that businesses that can reduce waste, such as beverage and food containers, through resource recovery are the businesses that serve visitors to our beautiful province.

I will fight the idea that Gateway is the right transportation strategy and make sure that rail is the solution for transporting goods not more trucks.

No matter who you vote for on May 12, if I am elected I will listen to you and vote according to the wishes of my constituents.

Ryan Windsor is the B.C. Green candidate for West Vancouver-Capilano.