Chilliwack Candidates Survey

Teri Westerby (NDP Candidate)

Candidate Facebook Page click here.

Animal Welfare

• Federal Petition E-5165 aimed to address the ongoing stray cat and dog crisis across Canada. Would you support or sponsor a new petition with similar intent? Would you be open to introducing legislation to tackle these issues and provide stronger support for the non-profit sector?
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   I would support and consider sponsoring a petition that addresses the ongoing stray animal crisis in Canada. Every community, including ours in Chilliwack-Hope, sees the consequences of stray overpopulation. Local shelters and animal welfare nonprofits are stretched thin, often operating on shoestring budgets while providing essential services. This isn’t just an animal issue; it’s a community health and safety issue. We need a coordinated federal strategy that includes funding for accessible spay and neuter programs, support for trap-neuter-return (TNR) initiatives, and stable operating grants for shelters. These organizations are doing heroic work and it’s time our government stepped up to support them.
  
  

• Before Parliament was prorogued, Bill C-355, which sought to ban the live export of horses for slaughter to Japan, was pending in the Senate. Would you be willing to support or reintroduce similar legislation in the House of Commons?
  
  

• Horses are sentient beings, and the current process subjects them to long, stressful, and often fatal journeys overseas. This practice does not reflect the values of most Canadians, and we need to ensure that our laws reflect the ethical treatment of animals. It’s time we end this cruel practice and promote higher standards of animal welfare on the federal level.

• In May 2024, the Senate released the report Sealing the Future: A Call to Action, which suggests seals are responsible for declining fish stocks and pressures the European Union to lift its ban on seal products. What is your stance on seal hunting in Canada? Should the number of licenses for seal hunts be increased or decreased?
  
  Seal hunting and fish stocks: We need to center Indigenous science and sovereignty in our decision-making. While declining fish stocks are a concern, scapegoating seals is not the answer. Climate change, industrial overfishing, and habitat destruction are the leading causes of fish stock depletion. Seal hunting has cultural and subsistence importance to many Indigenous communities, and any policy decisions must be rooted in consultation and respect for Indigenous rights. I do not support expanding commercial seal hunts under misleading ecological justifications.
  
  
  

• Do you support increased transparency and accountability in Canada’s animal agriculture industry, such as requiring cameras in barns and slaughterhouses and more frequent inspections by regulators and veterinarians? Why or why not?
  
  Transparency in animal agriculture: I support the federal government providing funding and legislation around increasing transparency and accountability in Canada’s animal agriculture sector. This includes mandatory cameras in slaughterhouses and barns, as well as regular and unannounced inspections by third-party regulators and veterinarians. Consumers deserve to know that the food they eat is produced ethically, 

Canada’s Sovereignty

• What measures would you take to ensure Canada does not become economically dependent on the U.S. to the point of compromising its sovereignty?
  
  Economic dependence on the U.S.: We must ensure Canada retains control over its own economic decisions. That means investing in Canadian manufacturing, strengthening domestic supply chains, and supporting local industries that meet community needs. We need to prioritize economic resilience over convenient profits for multinational corporations. Sovereignty includes the ability to support ourselves in times of crisis, and we’ve learned from tariffs, COVID-19 and global instability that we can’t afford to be this dependent on the U.S.
  
  

• Do you support increasing Canada’s defense budget to reduce reliance on the U.S. for national security?
  
  Increasing Canada’s defense budget: I support a balanced approach. We do need to ensure our national defense is robust and responsive, particularly in areas like cyber defense and Arctic sovereignty. And we need to invest wisely and in ways that reflect our values, not in duplicating the U.S. model of militarism. Our military needs to focus on what matters: supporting Canadians in times of crisis, building capacity for community care, and protecting our peace and sovereignty as a nation. Far too often, military force has been used to protect corporate interests, even at the cost of First Nations rights and sovereignty. We must end the misuse of our legal and military systems to suppress dissent and silence those fighting for justice and the earth.
  
  

• Would you advocate for a more independent defense policy, such as expanding Arctic sovereignty efforts to prevent U.S. claims over Canadian territory?
  
  Independent defense policy (Arctic sovereignty): As climate change opens new navigation routes, we must ensure our sovereignty and the sovereignty of the Inuit are respected and upheld. This includes supporting infrastructure and scientific research in the North and working closely with Indigenous communities whose stewardship has protected the region since time immemorial. The Arctic is a delicate and sacred environment. Yet it faces increasing risk from extractive industries and foreign investors eager to drill and exploit its resources with little regard for long-term sustainability or Indigenous rights. We must ensure that our Arctic policy includes clear opposition to unchecked resource extraction and fossil fuel expansion in the region. Protecting the land, water, and people of the North means defending our ability to survive on this planet. Climate leadership starts at the top of the world, and our military and government must stand ready not just to secure the territory, but to protect it from those who would destroy it for short-term gain.
  
  

• Would you support stronger legal protections against foreign interference in Canadian elections and policymaking?
  
  
  Protection against foreign interference: Canadian democracy must be protected. We’re witnessing a global rise in authoritarian rhetoric and populist extremism, from Donald Trump’s influence in the U.S. to Pierre Poilievre’s dangerous flirtation with similar anti-democratic values here in Canada. We’ve also seen Alberta Premier Danielle Smith openly challenge the authority of federal law, stoking division instead of unity. Meanwhile, allegations of foreign interference, including from governments like India and China, remind us that our democratic systems are vulnerable. We must strengthen transparency in political donations, ban foreign contributions, enhance cybersecurity, and increase oversight of lobbying and media manipulation. But more than that, we need to give Canadians real choices: authentic, community-rooted leadership that puts people before profit and democracy before partisan gain. The best defense against authoritarian drift is a strong, engaged population with meaningful representation. I believe the NDP offers that alternative, grounded in fairness, justice, and a belief that our democracy is worth protecting and improving, not selling off to the highest bidder
  
  

• Should Canada implement stricter laws to prevent foreign ownership of critical infrastructure (e.g., energy, telecommunications, natural resources) to limit U.S. corporate and governmental influence?
  
  Foreign ownership of infrastructure: Energy, telecommunications, and natural resources are the people’s assets, and they must be protected from foreign control that could compromise our economic resilience and independence or prioritize profit over public good. Increasingly, foreign investors, many of them aligned with authoritarian regimes or corporate giants, are eyeing Canada’s most vital industries, including critical minerals and clean energy. If we don’t act, we risk handing over control of our future to entities with no stake in our communities or environment.
  This is especially urgent in light of global instability and rising populist rhetoric. We’ve seen what happens when far-right governments prioritize deregulation, privatization, and corporate ownership over democratic protections remind us that democracy must be defended economically as well as politically. Canada needs to draw a firm line that ensures our land and resources, infrastructure, and essential services stay in public hands, accountable to the people, not foreign shareholders or billionaire CEOs. If we fail to act now, we risk losing not only control over our economy, but the very values and institutions that define us as a sovereign, caring, and democratic nation.

• Do you believe there is a genuine risk of annexation or forced political alignment with the U.S.? If so, how should Canada prepare?
  
  Annexation or forced alignment with the U.S.: While outright annexation is unlikely, the soft erosion of sovereignty through economic and policy alignment is real. We must protect our democratic institutions, environmental standards, and social values from being undermined by foreign influence. One of the most effective ways to do this is by building resilient, localized economies that prioritize the needs of Canadians, not the profit margins of multinational corporations or shareholders. Too often, we’ve seen foreign companies extract wealth from our communities, ship profits offshore, and leave behind underpaid workers, shuttered local businesses, and depleted resources.

Instead, we must invest in Canadian-owned industries, community co-operatives, and public infrastructure that keep wealth circulating locally. We need to support supply chains that are rooted in sustainability and economic justice, and reject trade deals that undermine Canadian workers and farmers. Local economies are not just more sustainable, they’re more accountable. They reflect our values and strengthen our sovereignty by putting people first. Canada’s path must be our own, informed by our people, shaped by our priorities, and protected from economic models that hollow out communities in pursuit of global profit.

Canadian Unity

• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has warned of a national unity crisis and presented a list of demands to the next federal government. How do you propose to maintain Canada’s unity while addressing concerns from provinces threatening to leave the federation?
  
  Addressing Alberta’s national unity concerns: Unity doesn’t come from silence or submission, it comes from listening and real engagement. Alberta’s concerns about fairness and representation must be heard, but not at the cost of equity or climate responsibility. We need federal policies that support workers in the energy transition, invest in diverse economic sectors, and recognize regional realities while maintaining national standards.
  
  
  

• Québec Premier François Legault has supported a "Team Canada" approach in response to increasing hostility from former U.S. President Donald Trump but has pledged to hold a referendum on Québec’s independence. What is your stance on Québec sovereignty, and how would it impact national unity?
  
  Québec sovereignty and national unity: I believe in a united Canada built on mutual respect. Québec has a unique identity, and that must be protected within a strong federation. We need to ensure that federalism allows for cultural autonomy while fostering national solidarity. Let’s build bridges through economic cooperation, shared environmental goals, and bilingual public services.

Economy

• What federal measures do you believe are necessary to strengthen Canada’s small business sector?
  
  Supporting small businesses: Small businesses are the heart of our communities and the backbone of the Canadian economy, especially in regions like Chilliwack–Hope, where local entrepreneurs, farmers, and family-run shops keep our towns thriving. Right now, too many of our communities are watching as wealth is siphoned off by global corporations that invest little back into the places where they operate. Their focus is short-term returns for shareholders, not long-term stability for Canadian workers and families. We can’t build economic resilience on a model that extracts and abandons.

Instead, we must prioritize local ownership and economic democracy. That means supporting business models rooted in community values, funding small-scale innovation, and ensuring that procurement contracts are accessible to small and mid-sized businesses. When we invest in people who live and work here, we don’t just grow the economy, we build power from the ground up. A strong local economy is our best defense against global instability, inflation, and corporate exploitation. 

We must make it easier for small businesses to succeed. That means reducing administrative barriers to federal support, simplifying access to grants and loans, and creating affordable credit programs specifically designed for small and rural businesses. It also means investing in cooperative models and social enterprises, businesses that exist not just to profit, but to serve the public good and keep wealth circulating in the local economy.

Let’s build an economy that reflects the strength of the people who live here, one that rewards care, creativity, and courage, not just profit.

• How would you address growing income inequality, particularly for Canadian workers who see more of their earnings deducted while feeling unsupported by the government?
  
  Addressing income inequality: The wealth gap in Canada is growing at an alarming rate, and it’s a direct result of political choices that intentionally tilt our economies in favour of wealth at the expense of working people. Thanks to those economic policies, those who already have wealth are able to continue accumulating even more wealth, and at a pace faster than ever, while millions of people are struggling to afford rent, food, childcare, and basic essentials. This isn’t just unjust, it’s unsustainable, and it’s by design.

The NDP has long championed bold action to close this gap. That includes a 1% tax on fortunes over $10 million and closing tax havens and loopholes that allow big corporations and billionaires to avoid contributing to our public fund. These policies are about more than fairness, they're about funding the public services we all rely on. Ask yourself why should that come from your hard earned money when it should be coming from the profits they make off of you. 

We need economic policies that make sure the wealth created by workers (the people keeping this country going every day) is reinvested back into our communities. That means building affordable housing, delivering universal pharmacare and dental care, expanding access to childcare, and properly funding public healthcare and education. These aren’t extras or handouts from the rich. They’re essentials. And they’re ours. And every Canadian has a right to these services because we are the ones doing the work.

We also need a federal living wage strategy. No one working full-time in Canada should be living in poverty. I support raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation, establishing national standards for paid sick leave, and protecting gig and precarious workers with real employment rights. That includes ending contract flipping and two-tiered workforces that divide workers and weaken collective power.

Income inequality is not inevitable. It’s the result of political decisions that benefit a few at the expense of the rest. I believe in an economy that works for everyone, not just the people who already have more than enough. That’s what the NDP fights for, and that’s what I’ll bring to Ottawa.

• Would you support increasing trade diversification to reduce reliance on the U.S.? If so, which countries or sectors would you prioritize?
  
  Trade diversification: Canada’s overreliance on the U.S. market has made us vulnerable to political instability and economic shocks. The NDP believes we must shift toward trade partnerships that reflect our values: protecting human rights, labour rights, Indigenous sovereignty, and environmental sustainability.

The NDP has long called for fair trade agreements that include enforceable labour and environmental protections, transparency in negotiations, and the elimination of corporations overriding our democratic decisions. Instead of prioritizing trade deals that benefit multinational corporations, we must centre workers, communities, and the climate.

Trade diversification also means strengthening our own domestic capacity by investing in Canadian manufacturing, agriculture, clean energy, and innovation so we are less dependent on imports for essential goods. That includes supporting local economies and businesses, securing ethical supply chains free from forced labour, and trading with partners who uphold shared values and human dignity.

Let’s build trade relationships that lift everyone up, create good jobs, and contribute to a fair and sustainable global economy, and one that puts people and the planet before profit.

• Do you support expanding infrastructure to transport Canadian oil to the eastern and western coasts to reduce dependence on U.S. markets? Additionally, do you support processing natural resources domestically rather than relying on foreign refineries?
  
  
  Oil transport and domestic processing: I support phasing out fossil fuel reliance while investing in clean energy and domestic value-added industries. Community-powered renewable energy is the future, and ensures jobs stay local through our transition to greener alternatives.

The NDP’s plan recognizes that climate leadership and economic justice must go hand in hand. That’s why we’ve called for an immediate end to federal fossil fuel subsidies (billions of public dollars that currently go to oil and gas companies) and a full redirect of those funds toward clean, publicly owned and community-driven energy projects. These projects include renewable energy like solar, wind, and geothermal, but also energy storage, retrofitting programs, and investments in local food and supply chains that lower emissions while creating good jobs.

Our energy future must also prioritize Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. That means respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), securing free, prior, and informed consent, and funding Indigenous-led renewable energy development. Indigenous communities are already leading the way in sustainable energy, and federal policy must follow their example.

Phasing out fossil fuels isn’t just about emissions, it’s about equity. Oil companies continue to rake in record profits while laying off workers and leaving communities behind. A just transition means no one is left out. The NDP supports guaranteed income programs for transitioning workers, federally funded retraining, and wage protection for those affected by the shift. We also support the creation of a new Crown corporation to lead Canada’s transition to clean energy, ensuring public ownership and local benefit.

We cannot afford delay or half-measures. Climate inaction is already costing lives, livelihoods, and billions in disaster recovery. The future of Canada’s economy is green, community-rooted, and powered by people. Let’s lead the way with courage, care, and policies that match the urgency of this moment.

Environment & Climate Change

• Do you support maintaining or strengthening Canada’s carbon pricing system? Why or why not?
  
  Carbon pricing: Inaction on climate doesn’t just cost us in floods, fires, and food insecurity, it also weakens our global position and economic sovereignty. Carbon pricing, if implemented fairly and transparently, helps ensure that Canada stays in the global conversation, protects our environment, and builds a more secure economic future for all. 

The European Union and other major economies are implementing carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), which place tariffs on imports from countries that do not meet basic emissions standards. Without a robust carbon pricing system, Canada risks losing access to key export markets (including the EU) and jeopardizing the competitiveness of our industries. This would not only harm our economy, but cost Canadians jobs, investment, and trade opportunities. If we can’t demonstrate that we’re meeting climate standards, we may soon find that our products are no longer welcome abroad.

Our approach ensures that carbon pricing doesn’t function as a regressive tax but instead becomes a lever for climate justice. The NDP would strengthen oversight to prevent industry exemptions, and push for public ownership in sectors where carbon reduction is urgent but market solutions are failing. The revenue from carbon pricing should be returned directly to households through rebates, and additional funding should go toward community-driven climate solutions and investments in green infrastructure. We believe that big polluters (especially the oil and gas industry) must pay their full share of the climate destruction they cause, especially when none of the profits made from it are returned back to the people, nor strengthen our ability to fight climate change.

Carbon pricing, when implemented with equity and transparency, can be part of a just transition that lifts communities up, reduces emissions, and creates good jobs in the new economy. Pretty soon, we won’t have much left to lose.

• What measures would you take to protect Canada’s forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems from industrial destruction, including by foreign companies?
  
  Protecting ecosystems: Canada’s forests, wetlands, and waterways are priceless, and once they are lost.. they’re gone. The NDP supports strong federal legislation to protect biodiversity, halt habitat destruction, and restore ecosystems that have already been damaged. We believe in enshrining the right to a healthy environment into law and holding industries accountable for the damage they cause.

That means requiring thorough environmental impact assessments on all major projects, particularly those affecting Indigenous lands and critical habitats. It means investing in ecological restoration, strengthening protections for endangered species, and closing loopholes that allow corporate interests to bypass environmental standards.

The NDP is committed to stopping the exploitation of Canada’s natural heritage by foreign or domestic corporations for short-term profit. Our natural environment is not a commodity. It is the foundation of our health, our economy, and our future. We must protect it with the same urgency and seriousness we apply to any economic policy, because in the long run, there is no economy without a healthy planet.

• How would you work with Indigenous communities to ensure land and water protections align with Indigenous sovereignty and stewardship?
  
  Working with Indigenous communities: Indigenous Peoples are rights holders that must be respected and upheld in all Canadian communities and included in all decision making. And not just symbolic gestures, but the full and meaningful implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) including free, prior, and informed consent, not just checkbox consultation. Co-management agreements must be rooted in shared decision-making, respect for sovereignty, and long-term accountability.

We must stop criminalizing land defenders and start investing in Indigenous-led conservation. That includes fully funding Indigenous Guardians programs, recognizing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), and honouring all treaty obligations. Environmental justice in Canada cannot be achieved without Indigenous justice. Any meaningful climate plan must centre Indigenous Peoples not only as stakeholders, but as leaders.

• Would you support legislation banning bulk water exports to the U.S. to prevent the commodification of Canadian freshwater?
  
  Banning bulk water exports: Water is life. In Chilliwack-Hope, we know how precious clean water is. Whether it’s the aquifers that supply our homes or the rivers that sustain our farms, we must protect them from exploitation. Canada holds a significant portion of the world’s freshwater, and we have a moral and environmental obligation to protect it. I support legislation that permanently bans bulk water exports and prevents the commodification of this vital resource. Our water must remain in public hands and be protected for future generations, not sold off to the highest bidder or shipped to foreign markets.

 The NDP will work with provinces, municipalities, and Indigenous governments to develop long-term protections for watersheds and implement strong federal oversight to stop corporate overreach, before it’s too late.

• What steps would you take to ensure every Indigenous community in Canada has access to clean drinking water?
  
  Clean drinking water for Indigenous communities: Chilliwack-Hope is home to many Indigenous Nations who still face political barriers to basic services, and it is frankly unacceptable. No more broken promises. Every Indigenous community must have access to clean, safe drinking water, full stop. This is not a technical problem, it’s a political failure. The NDP will ensure urgent investments, enforceable timelines, and Indigenous-led infrastructure solutions that deliver results, not excuses. I will fight to ensure that federal commitments to clean water are met, that Indigenous communities lead those solutions, and that access to safe water is never delayed by bureaucracy or underfunding ever again.
  
  

• How do you propose balancing economic growth in the natural resources sector with protecting the environment and respecting Indigenous rights?
  
  
  
  Balancing growth and environmental justice: Growth without justice is not true progress.. it’s just stealing from our own futures. The NDP believes in a just transition to a clean economy: one that respects Indigenous sovereignty, upholds environmental protections, and puts communities first. This transition must be shaped by workers, led by our deep understanding of nature and science, and rooted in care for future generations.

We must shift to a circular economy guided by sustainability, equity, and the principle that no one gets left behind. This means reducing waste, investing in renewable energy and low-emission industries, and promoting local food and resource systems that reduce our dependence on extraction and imports. We must build an economy where well-being and ecological integrity are measured as seriously as GDP.

Projects must require free, prior, and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples and demonstrate tangible, long-lasting benefits for local communities, not just short-term profits for investors. In Chilliwack-Hope, that means protecting our farmlands and floodplains from overdevelopment, preserving biodiversity in places like the Fraser Valley, safeguarding salmon habitat, and supporting green job creation that aligns with our values.

A just transition means replacing short-term extraction jobs with long-term careers in clean energy, conservation, restoration, sustainable agriculture, and circular manufacturing. It also means ensuring access to training, supports, and wages for those moving out of the fossil fuel sector.

Environmental justice includes climate justice, recognizing that lower-income and Indigenous communities bear the brunt of environmental degradation and must be the first to benefit from solutions. We need bold, people-first policies that care for the land and for each other. That’s the future I’ll fight for in Chilliwack-Hope and across Canada.

Social Issues

• What is your stance on LGBTQ2+ rights in Canada?
  
  LGBTQ2+ rights: As an openly transgender man and longtime advocate for human rights, I will always fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and protections. That means increasing local access to affirming healthcare, investing in inclusive education so every kid can thrive in school, increasing the ability for people to be protected from discrimination, and making it easier for people to live their full lives with pride in who they are. One thing I know for sure, is that hate has no place in Canada, especially not in the communities of Chilliwack-Hope, which is one of BC’s most diverse and accepting places. 

In Chilliwack-Hope, I have stood up for queer and trans youth, for safer schools, and for inclusion in our public spaces. As your MP, I’ll push for federal action to address the growing issue of hate, improve access to gender-affirming care, increase investments in inclusive education, and ensure Canada’s laws reflect and support the lived realities of 2SLGBTQIA+ people - because everyone deserves to thrive.

• Do you support maintaining a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her reproductive health with medical guidance?
  
  Reproductive rights: Without a doubt, I fully support everyone’s reproductive rights, and the NDP is committed to defending and expanding access to abortion and reproductive healthcare across every province.

Everyone should be able to make decisions about their own body, and should have full access to support from medical professionals. In communities like ours, access is often limited by geography, stigma, or lack of providers. I will fight for national standards that ensure reproductive healthcare is accessible no matter where you live, and for increased federal support to clinics and providers in rural areas. Politicians and their personal views should have nothing to do with the rights of Canadians to choose for themselves what they do with their bodies and lives. This is about our individual health and livelihood and making sure Canada is a place where you can thrive and make decisions for yourself about how you live your life. I will always stand up for what is right - and that’s your right to choose. 

• How would you address the ongoing challenges in Canada’s healthcare system, and what measures would you take to support provinces in attracting and retaining doctors?
  
  
  Healthcare system and doctor shortages: Chilliwack-Hope is home to exceptional healthcare professionals: doctors, nurses, specialists, hospital staff, home care workers who hold our system together through sheer dedication. Without them, our communities suffer. I will fight to ensure these workers are respected, protected, and fairly paid. That means strong investments in healthcare infrastructure and support for union efforts to improve working conditions and secure fair wages. 

Despite their hard work, people are waiting too long for basic care in Chilliwack-Hope. Emergency rooms are overwhelmed. Many residents don’t have access to a family doctor. We need national solutions to a national crisis. The NDP is committed to strengthening public healthcare from the ground up. That means making bold investments in rural health infrastructure, providing incentives for healthcare professionals to serve in underserved communities, and streamlining the recognition of foreign credentials so skilled professionals can practice without unnecessary delays.

We’ll also expand training programs to grow the pipeline of doctors, nurses, and allied health workers and ensure these professionals are fairly compensated and supported. It’s time for the federal government to work with provinces to ensure people can get the care they need, when and where they need it.

I will fight for fair and sustained federal funding to support provincial healthcare delivery and advocate for innovative care models, like community health centres, mobile clinics, and team-based care, that are proven to work in rural and remote areas.  Healthy communities start with healthy healthcare systems, and I will never stop fighting to deliver both. 

Additional Comments

Are there any other issues you would like to highlight, or plans you would like to share with voters?

Additional Comments: The people of Chilliwack-Hope are already strong, already resilient. We just need leadership that reflects our values and fights for our future. I’m running because I believe in our potential, and I’ve seen first-hand how creative we can be when we’re given the opportunity to solve our most complex problems. I know we can do it if we work together, and I’ll never stop working to protect what we’ve built and demand better for all of us.

Our community doesn’t need another politician who shows up only at election time. We need someone who lives here, who understands the challenges we face, and who believes in people over profits. I’ve been on the ground, advocating for youth, for farmers, for disabled folks, for clean water, and for inclusive education. That’s what I’ll continue to do in Parliament.

Together, we can build a Chilliwack-Hope, and a Canada, where no one gets left behind.

That’s the vision, I believe we can achieve it, will you work with me to make it happen?