BC Election Candidate Survey Response: Kimball Cariou – Communist Party of BC

BC Election Candidate Survey Response: Kimball Cariou - Communist Party of BC

Advocacy Canada reached out to all candidates in the 2024 BC election, inviting them to share their positions on key issues affecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This blog series highlights the responses received by the deadline of October 6, 2024, offering insights into where candidates stand on matters of equality, inclusion, and rights for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This content is provided for educational purposes and this is not a candidate endorsement from Advocacy Canada.

Name

Kimball Cariou

Email

kimballcariou@gmail.com

Select your political party

Communist Party of BC

Select your electoral district

Vancouver-Strathcona

Website / URL

http://cpcbc.ca/

Will you advocate to strengthen anti-discrimination laws protecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in British Columbia?

Strongly Agree

Please provide details on any specific policies or initiatives you would propose.

Strengthen the enforcement of laws against hate crimes, specifically to bring legal charges against groups or individuals who use public property or events to promote discrimination and hatred against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. For example, hate banners on highway overpasses, disruption of local government meetings, targetting of Drag Queen storytime readings at libraries.

Do you plan to improve access to healthcare services specifically tailored for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including mental health support and gender-affirming care?

Strongly Agree

Please describe any specific actions or reforms you would implement.

More than anything, this requires improved funding for health services focused on the specific needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ population.

Will you take steps to ensure that schools in British Columbia provide an inclusive and safe environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ students?

Strongly Agree

Detail any programs or policies you would support to promote inclusivity in education.

All schools in BC, public and private, must be directed to offer SOGI-123, and every school must hire staff trained in promotion of inclusivity.

SOGI 123 is an essential element in creating safe and inclusive classrooms for all students regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.

Strongly Agree

Explain your rating of the question on SOGI 123.

(See above answer)

Will you address the housing and homelessness issues disproportionately affecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?

Strongly Agree

Outline any specific strategies or housing programs you would endorse.

Homelessness affects every demographic of our society in different ways. There are many homeless queer youth who have been kicked out of their families, living on the street while still teenagers. This must be addressed by specific legal action so that such youth have the first right to live in the family home, not those who violate their human rights.

Will you work to combat hate crimes and violence against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?

Strongly Agree

Provide details on your approach to reducing hate crimes and ensuring justice for victims.

This issue has been part of my political and social organizing work since the mid-1980s in Saskatchewan, when I wrote a newspaper article in support of a ban against discrimination in housing rentals. Over the years, I have been a participant in many struggles and protests around these issues. While there is a need for better enforcement of laws against hate crimes, the larger solution is to improve education at all levels of society.

Will you support increased funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ community organizations and services?

Strongly Agree

Please elaborate on your funding priorities for these organizations.

For this answer, it would be necessary for me to consult in more depth with the organizations which offer important services.

Will you promote public awareness and education to foster acceptance and understanding of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?

Strongly Agree

Detail any campaigns or educational initiatives you would support or propose.

Support for Pride events at the grassroots level (not just corporate-backed parades), targetted funding for all school boards to hire staff to provide training in 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, better coordination of governments with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and leaderships.

Will you ensure that your policies and initiatives address the diverse needs within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including those intersecting with other marginalized identities (e.g., race, disability, socioeconomic status)?

Strongly Agree

Describe your approach to creating inclusive and intersectional policies.

For me, intersectionality must prioritize the sections of society with the greatest barriers to equality – Indigenous peoples, immigrants, racialized communities, people living in poverty, women. In all these cases, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community face additional obstacles in their struggle for inclusivity and justice.

The BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner’s report “From Hate to Hope” includes several recommendations to address hate and discrimination. Will you work to implement these recommendations, particularly those affecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?

Strongly Agree

Please specify which recommendations from the Commissioner’s report you will prioritize and how you plan to implement them.

I have only given a quick first read to this report. Before answering, I need to consider it in more detail, but the recommendations certainly look useful as a comprehensive overview.

2SLGBTQIA+ seniors face unique needs as they age, particularly in the areas of specialized healthcare, assisted living where they are free to live authentically, and affordable housing. Will you work to implement specific policies and programs to address these unique needs?

Strongly Agree

Please specify how you will address the unique needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors.

As a senior myself, I am fortunate to live in a well-run housing cooperative which is home to a high percentage of 2SLGBTQIA+ residents. But I know from their stories that many others are less fortunate. I intend to do more research into appropriate healthcare and housing alternatives.

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