Climate scientist, financial analyst and economist Dr. Devyani Singh is running for the BC Green Party on a platform centring climate policy and affordability.
Singh, who was the BC Greens candidate in 2020 and the federal Green Party candidate for Vancouver-Quadra in 2021, said her motivation behind running is the same as when she first ran.
“We need … representatives who are going to be honest, who are going to be transparent, who are going to be there for us and who are willing to stand against the government for us as constituents.”
She said she wants to change “the status quo” in provincial politics by increasing representation.
“I think everybody's qualified to run for office, if you have sufficient passion to create change and be there to work for the people … I plan to bring [my life experiences] to legislature to be able to help make decisions in what I hope will be a minority government, bringing home the balance of power to actually create change for the people.”
Singh’s goals include “meaningful action on climate change” by getting rid of fossil fuel subsidies, increasing affordability by making public transit free and mitigating the housing crisis by increasing affordable housing stock.
“We are living in a place, in a time, where we are going through global inflation,” said Singh.
Singh recalled being a UBC PhD student when, at times, she would spend anywhere from 80–100 per cent of her PhD stipend on housing.
Singh also said more housing and child care near campus is needed — especially for graduate students and student families. She said people she knows have been unable to find child care because of high costs or face long waitlists.
The Greens differ from the NDP and Conservatives because the party is “planet-centric,” said Singh. The party is advocating for continuing the carbon tax, reducing the voting age to 16 and are against involuntary long-term care for people with addiction.
Singh emphasized the need to follow expert advice regarding key platform points such as the climate crisis, toxic drug crisis and involuntary care among other matters.
When asked how she will compete with incumbent Premier David Eby, Singh said “being an incumbent doesn't just give you the right to [take] people’s vote for granted.”
“Every vote should be earned, and you should respect the people who vote for you,” said Singh. “I have seen that, at least over the last few years, the premier has been more interested in being … premier rather than being there for the people [as an MLA].”
“There is no stronger message to be sent to the sitting premier in this riding by ruling in a person who cares about the climate, who cares about the people … Vote enough Greens in,” said Singh.
“Minority governments work for the people.”
This article is part of The Ubyssey's 2024 provincial elections coverage.
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