With the federal election approaching, get to know your local Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies Green Party candidate: Steven Maffioli.
Who is Steven Maffioli?
Steven Maffioli was born and raised in Fernie before moving to Calgary where he joined the Alberta Greens as a candidate in the 2023 provincial election.
“I started in politics in my early 20s with the Green Party in Alberta both federally and provincially for 10 years.”
He has since moved back to B.C. and became a certified yoga instructor, while also working towards becoming a naturopath.
The Issues: Healthcare, Housing and Tariffs
Maffioli says the biggest issue facing Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies is adequate access to healthcare.
“We don’t have enough doctors and we don’t have enough resources. We have people who are in Creston going to Kelowna or people in Fernie going to Cranbrook or Calgary and it just should be that way.”
“We should be able to stay in our communities and near our families when we need urgent health care.”
Maffioli says they need to get more Canadians becoming doctors and nurses and free education would help with that.
“What’s deterring our kids from being nurses and doctors is the cost of education. Nobody wants to be a physician when you’re crippled with a hundred thousand dollars in debt. We need to give free education to young people so that they’re passionate and excited about being physicians.”
He says tariffs and the ongoing trade war with the United States is also a concern he’s hearing from residents.
Maffioli says Canada needs to stand up for itself and not be afraid to look elsewhere for trade.
“We will always fight back, because we’re hard working and we stand our ground. If Americans don’t want to treat us like the allies we’ve always been then we’ll go seeking friendship and trade partners in other places.”
When it comes to housing, Maffioli says there needs to be a nationwide plan on addressing the cost and availability.
“We need to cut the red tape and we need to develop an expeditious and rapid affordable housing plan across the nation. Canadians deserve a roof over their head and the ability to stay in their hometown without being priced out or chased away from a lack of availability.
Final Words
While the Green Party may be known for the environment, Maffioli says they have a lot more to offer voters.
He says that includes a focus on electoral reform.
“We have always been 100 per cent for electoral reform. We want to reduce the powers of the Prime Minister’s office and we don’t allow party whipping which means our MP’s get to listen to our communities directly and vote accordingly to their interests.”
“We were promised it 10 years ago and some parties are scared that if we give ourselves more power on the ballot that it will jeopardize their ability to retain seats, but that’s just not how democracy works.”
If elected, he says he will work with anyone to do what’s best for the riding.
“I’m running in this election to put my community and its interests first. Above all else, I’m willing to work with anyone to achieve real results for the people of the Elk Valley—setting aside petty politics and personal biases to get things done.”
The federal election will take place on April 28th.
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