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The Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE) touched base with each of the six PC Alberta Leadership Candidates to gather their views on environmental education. The person chosen as the PC Alberta Leader will step in as Premier of Alberta – taking over from Ed Stelmach. The first ballot for voting for the PC Alberta Leader will occur on September 17th (advance polls on September 13th).
ACEE, as a non-partisan organization, does not endorse any particular leadership candidate or indeed political party. We simply feel it is worthwhile for Albertans to know the next Premier of Alberta’s views on environmental education and where it fits in with each of the candidates’ priorities (thanks to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their support of this work). ACEE also felt that by providing a survey to each of the candidates it would also showcase the importance of environmental education in Alberta. In 2009, ACEE commissioned Ipsos Reid to poll the Alberta public on this topic, see the results.
All of the candidates’ offices were contacted by phone and email asking them to complete a six-question survey and were provided many opportunities to complete a response. We were delighted to receive responses from three candidates, listed below in alphabetical order. Excerpts from the candidates’ views are provided, with a link to their complete response and to their website.
The six questions:
- Environmental education is a learning process for Albertans to develop knowledge, values, skills and behaviours that help them become engaged citizens to achieve sustainable development. Where does this fit with your priorities?
- Using the definition of environmental education (above), how could environmental education help deliver on government policies related to environment and education?
- What role does children playing or learning in the outdoors have in building a healthy, prosperous and innovative Alberta?
- Is the current government spending too much effort on Alberta Education’s Inspiring Education process, too little effort or about the right amount?
- If elected, will you as leader of the PC Party support continuing the Inspiring Action on Education process?
- How can environmental education help prepare students for the future?
| Alison Redford |
 “One of my main priorities is to promote sustainable development and greater energy efficiency. I want to set Alberta on the road to a greener future, keeping our province beautiful as the economy grows. Environmental education is critical to achieving this goal. People are more likely to internalize these values if they are taught the reasoning behind them, learn about them in a positive way and come to understand the consequences of their own actions.”
“Environmental education encompasses non-traditional, hands-on, experiential learning, which is becoming increasingly important. It teaches kids about foresight and consequences, inspiring them to think creatively about their effect on the Earth. Environmental education makes kids into ethical, engaged thinkers, which is exactly what the “Inspiring Action on Education” report found Albertans want.” Download Alison Redford’s Complete Response For more information on Alison Redford go to: http://www.alisonredford.ca/ |
| Gary Mar |
 “Our kids are facing a rapidly evolving world. Our education needs to adjust right along with it, so that the next generation of Albertans can respond, grow and prosper in an ever-changing, interdependent and global economy. From my time as Education Minister, I saw the impact of teaching kids environmental values, and how they took these learnings home to share with their families and communities. We need to educate our children today on issues that will continue to be important well into the future, achieving sustainable development is one of those issues.”
“The importance of an excellent education system, robust environmental education, cannot be overstated. It is the cornerstone of individual and societal well-being and success. Alberta’s future prosperity rests on our ability to ensure a well-educated workforce that is responsive to the ever-changing, interdependent, environmentally responsible global economy of the 21st century.” Download Gary Mar’s Complete Response For more information on Gary Mar go to: http://garymar.ca/ |
| Ted Morton |
 “I believe that the Alberta Government should play a role in promoting the value of conservation and environmental stewardship. I also believe that one of the best ways to accomplish this goal is through partnerships with other non-profit and private sector groups. I am a strong supporter of initiatives like ACEE and Inside Education that introduce young Albertans to the outdoors and environmental stewardship and provide teachers with tools they need to enhance environmental education in our classrooms… As Premier, I will promote and support programs like these.”
“As Premier, I will continue to support and maintain Alberta’s world class educational system, a system that promotes flexibility, accountability and efficiency. I believe that environmental education will play an important role in this system as we move forward.” Download Ted Morton’s Complete Response For more information on Ted Morton go to: http://www.tedmorton.ca/ |
