Green Party candidate Shelley Luce officially launched her campaign today following the Prime Minister’s surprising decision to hold a by-election during the final weeks of summer in North Vancouver—Capilano.

Luce, a leading science and policy expert, has spent more than two decades developing much-needed solutions for clean water and healthy communities. Her focus for the riding is homes people can afford, transit that works for everyone and preparing the North Shore for extreme heat, flooding and risks from expanding hazardous cargo exports through Burrard Inlet.

“This by-election will not decide who forms government. It will decide who speaks for North Vancouver—Capilano,” said Luce. “Our community deserves an MP who listens to the people who live here, takes our priorities to Ottawa and speaks up when the government gets it wrong.”

The government has called the election for August 31, two full weeks before the end of school summer holidays when many people are on vacation, effectively denying  those North Vancouver–Capilano voters the opportunity to engage with the campaigns and candidates. 

“North Vancouver—Capilano is not a ‘safe seat’ for the Prime Minister’s Office to fill,” said Luce. “It belongs to the people who live here. The timing of this campaign is simply disrespectful to voters, and means that many in our community will be deprived of a full and fair opportunity to learn about the candidates and make an informed decision about who will represent us in Ottawa.”

Only Green MPs are free to put their communities first. The Green Party of Canada is the only federal party that does not whip votes, meaning Green MPs answer directly to the people who elect them. Their job is to represent their community to Ottawa, not represent Ottawa in their community.

“People here are working hard, but housing is eating up too much of their incomes. Families are struggling with the cost of child care and groceries. And too many people lose hours sitting in traffic on the North Shore,” said Luce. “We need permanently affordable co-op and non-profit housing, better, cheaper transit options and emergency services and frontline workers who are equipped and prepared to keep us safe during extreme heat, fires and floods. Our next MP also has an obligation to take a clear-eyed look at the human health and safety risks associated with plans to expand hazardous cargo exports through Burrard Inlet.”

Throughout her career, Luce has worked collaboratively with communities and governments to advance practical solutions grounded in science and the public interest. Her work has helped plan for sea level rise, advance climate adaptation, restore salmon streams , and reduce pollution.

Luce holds degrees from McGill University and the University of New Brunswick and a Doctorate in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from UCLA.

She served for more than three years on the City of North Vancouver’s Advisory Planning Commission, listening to residents and providing advice on development and how the community should grow. She lives on the North Shore with her spouse and children.

“I have spent my career bringing people together to solve difficult problems,” said Luce. “That is the approach I will bring to Parliament. I will work across party lines to deliver results, and the only boss I will answer to is the people of North Vancouver—Capilano.”

–30–

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview: [email protected]