Counsel from prominent Canadians

Of course, as a physician, I can’t end without also reminding you to exercise, eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Prime ministers, like all Canadians, have to mind their health.

ANDREW WEAVER, PROFESSOR AND CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR IN CLIMATE MODELLING AND ANALYSIS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

In 2006, Corporate Knights Magazine proclaimed Brian Mulroney Canada’s greenest prime minister. Mulroney, a Conservative, was instrumental in initiating and subsequently signing a treaty with the U.S. to reduce acid rain. And he developed and delivered, with environment ministers Lucian Bouchard and subsequently Jean Charest, Canada’s Green Plan for a Healthy Environment. From 1986 to 1989, Green party leader Elizabeth May worked within the Mulroney government as a senior policy adviser to the federal Environment Department. May was just elected as MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

My advice to Stephen Harper is to rise above the tribal politics that has permeated Ottawa since 2006. Environmental issues transcend political boundaries. Seek the advice of Brian Mulroney, Jean Charest, and Lucian Bouchard. Listen to Elizabeth May as well as Nathan Cullen and Denise Savoie from the NDP and Stéphane Dion and David Mc-Guinty from the Liberal party. They all share a passion for environmental sustainability. Canadians want a functional Parliament that recognizes that it’s not a choice between the economy and the environment. Canadians want their economy to thrive in a healthy environment. They want Conservatives to conserve.

Most Canadians probably believe that we have a responsibility for the well-being of future generations. Stephen Harper should reflect on the steps required today to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the same economic stability and ecological diversity that we currently enjoy.

Finally, he should read my new book Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming. In accessible language, it explains the phenomenon of global warming, outlines the threat it presents to future generations and offers a path toward solutions to the problem.

KAREN FOSTER, DOCTORAL STUDENT IN SOCIOLOGY AT OTTAWA’S CARLETON UNIVERSITY, AND CO-ORGANIZER OF THE SCHOOL’S VOTE MOB

You may have a mandate for now, but remember that the government is only yours temporarily. Please take care of Parliament. Be sure that what you hand on to the next governing party remains true to the values upon which this country was founded. Listen to scientific evidence, even if it challenges your beliefs. Think long-term when it comes to crime -it might be politically savvy to lock more people up, but experts agree that restorative justice is more effective at breaking cycles of crime. Think bigger when it comes to poverty reduction: invest in education, neighbourhoods and recreation, small businesses and re-skilling programs, not just tax-breaks and employment incentives. Leave women’s organizations alone. Listen to the NDP. Listen to your constituents, too. Don’t pull any of that contempt stuff again. Don’t appoint your friends to the Senate; maybe even pursue your old promise to reform it. Restore the long-form census. Restore the Access to Information database -you might need it some day. Consider pushing for electoral reform. You might need that some day, too. Remember that young Canadians across the country favoured left-leaning parties, and soon, our vote will outweigh that of the older Canadians who favoured your party. Don’t underestimate Canadians. And don’t get too comfortable.