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Two upcoming debates will focus on climate change, environment

Debates will be held in the city's two ridings on Oct. 3, including one at Grace United Church and the other at the Innisfil Library IdeaLAB
USED 2019-08-19 Sunset RB
Two young women take a stroll along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie at sunset. Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday

NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY GREENBELT COALITION
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Groups across Simcoe County are coming together to ensure that local candidates are transparent and clear about their intentions regarding the environment and climate change. 

As a part of the 100 Debates on the Environment initiative ⁠— a non-partisan movement that will host over 100 debates across Canada ⁠— local debates will be held for Barrie-Innisfil and the BarrieSpringwater Oro-Medonte ridings on Oct. 3.

Margaret Prophet, Executive Director of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition, one of the main groups behind both debates, knows that people in the region really care about the environment.

“Nationally, the environment is polling as the top issue for voters, and the same is true in Simcoe County where citizens have stood up time and time again in defence of water, farmland, and wildlife habitat. We recognize that the environment is the basis of our economy and our quality of life, and we think it’s crucial that they have the best information on issues that impact current and future generations.”

The debates have created unique partnerships among anti-poverty advocates, faith-based organizations, environmentalists, and youth activists.

“The environment isn’t partisan, it’s physics. Taking care of the planet and each other shouldn’t be a wedge issue. We know that most people want to see action on this issue. That’s one reason why we are seeing more diverse coalitions and partnerships coming together around it. Politicians should take note.”

Both debates will occur on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 7-9 pm.

The Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte debate is being hosted by Grace United Church, at 350 Grove St., in Barrie, from 7-9 p.m. All are welcome to attend. There will also be an opportunity to visit with the candidates before and after the debate.

The Barrie-Innisfil debate is being hosted by Innisfil Library IdeaLAB, at 967 Innisfil Beach Rd., from 7-9 p.m. Again all are welcome to attend.

If you would like to RSVP or learn more about the debates, please visit 100debates.ca.

About the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition:  www.simcoecountygreenbelt.ca: The Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition is a diverse coalition of 35 organizations from across Simcoe County and the province calling on local and provincial leaders to act on climate change, better protect our water resources, green spaces and farmland through smart growth and sustainable policies including expansion of the Greenbelt into Simcoe County.

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