David Kim-Cragg, Green Party of Canada

Personal details. Name, age, hometown

David Kim-Cragg, 49, Sudbury, Ont.

Tell us about yourself

I’m studying history at the U of S, working on a PhD. At the same time, I am serving as a chaplain on campus. I’m an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada. I play hockey and am on the Master Swim club. I love dogs and long walks.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

I have paddled to the Arctic Ocean.

Why should voters hire you?

Voters should hire me because I am on a team that is ready to tackle the biggest challenge we have known as a country and as a species.

Who should we call for a reference?

Dave Abbey.

What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?

(No answer given)

Where do you stand on:

Gun laws? Gun laws should not be designed to target responsible gun owners. Neither should responsible gun owners be an excuse not to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Gun laws are not a magic bullet (pardon the pun) that will solve the problem of gun crime. But they are an important piece of that puzzle.

The need for more pipelines? Above all, workers in the oilfields and their jobs need to be protected from a rapid move out of the fossil fuel business. We don’t need more pipelines. We do need to fund a new energy industry which Lloydminster and the Battlefords are well-positioned to benefit from.

Western alienation? Growing up in Northern Ontario, I also understand what it means for a community to be low on the priority list of those in the centre of power. I understand people’s frustration here and the history of exploitation and neglect that has served to alienate the western provinces from other provinces. Currently a lot of the anger is funneled (pardon the pun) through pipelines. I think there is a growing consensus in the east and west that we need to transition out of fossil fuels as soon as possible. At the same time, there a shared political will to make that work for everyone. Such a transition, if performed well, would go a long way to securing the western provinces’ place in the Canadian political economy.

China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? Canada has a fine line to walk and it will not be easy. We need to avoid reacting to China and other non-Western countries in ways that unnecessarily aggravate histories of exploitation and animosity. At the same time, we must stand strong for human rights issues. “Engagement” is the catch word. We should be prepared for pain but committed to talking through our differences. This is the best way to success for all.

Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? Who doubts the first question? The answer to the second is that a carbon tax is a small part of the answer. It has been proven to be effective. But a much quicker and more effective way to reduce carbon is to regulate industry and big business and impose fines on those who do not meet strict targets.

It’s a day off and you can do anything you want. What would it be?

Walk the Meewasin trail in the glory of autumn.

Who inspires you?

My poet friend, Elise Palagi, who touches hundreds of people with her courageous and compassionate words.

What is your hidden talent?

Most people in Saskatchewan do not know that I love canoeing.

What do you wish you could do but can’t?

Speak Cree fluently.

Who are the three people, dead or alive, that you’d love to have dinner with?

Jesus always set a generous table. I’d love to meet the KPOP band BTS (because it would make me a hero to my kids.) And (this does light outside of the parameters you set but nonetheless) I would love to break bread with an as yet unborn great-great-great-great grandchild.