Adam Bremner-Akins Port Coquitlam’s Green Party candidate talks housing and sustainability

Adam Bremner-Akins is taking a run for the Green Party on October 19th in his home riding of Port Coquitlam. He is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University. Adam is a passionate advocate for sustainable urban development and youth engagement in politics. He is a dedicated climate activist, organizing strikes and facilitating debates, while advocating for progressive policies such as housing reform, proportional representation, and green infrastructure.

Nancy Furness – Local Journalism Initiative

Adam says, “Building more houses is important, but the type of housing we build is more critical.” He stresses affordable housing options are needed for young, and lower- to middle-income people who have been priced out of the housing market. Effectively allocating government funding to build social- and non-profit housing will keep people in their own communities.

The new BC Provincial Housing Legislation does not adequately address the affordable housing crisis, according to Adam. He says, “they are not reducing the cost, they are just increasing the supply.” Adam says the legislation was rushed through with inadequate consultation and lack of consideration for liveability and infrastructure needed to accompany densification.

As far as public safety, inclusivity and engaging the public, Adam says it’s time to go back to being a community. He says supports having citizens’ assemblies “so we can, as a society sit down and come to a common agreement on how to deal with our problems.” Adam says youth can be engaged and democracy strengthened by lowering the voting age to sixteen.

The Green Party’s history of collaboration proves a majority isn’t needed to make substantial changes in government according to Adam. He cites the 2017 NDP minority government where the Green Party worked with the NDP to cap donations, ban corporate/union donations, enact the Clean BC programs, and tie minimum wage to inflation to ensure workers don’t fall behind. The ‘Renters’ Tenancy Amendment Act’ to prevent renoviction and ensure renters’ are secure in their home, is another example of how the Green Party work effectively with other parties to enact good legislation.

Adam’s key concern is sustainability; he supports reallocating fossil fuel subsidies to support both social and environmental sustainability.