Bunny election ethics site launched

To the editor:

Thank you to Castanet.net for posting the Kelowna Candidate Matcher, an excellent initiative that will help voters decide which candidates to support. I note that the first question is: "Do you support the current rabbit cull program?" Who might have guessed that the welfare of rabbits would become an election issue?

This spring, when hundreds of Kelowna citizens took turns carrying placards along Enterprise Way on behalf of feral rabbits at risk, one of the slogans used was: "We'll Remember in November". In accordance with the slogan, a new website has been launched: kelownaelection.com

This site holds politicians accountable on ethical issues such as homelessness, the environment, climate change, and animal welfare. Many nominees have already participated in our survey on these issues and the results have been posted on the site, along with an ethics scorecard ("Ethics Meter") available for viewing on each candidate.

The team at KelownaElection.com feels that no election issues are more important than ethical ones. Urban development will not benefit anyone if we lose the earth by what we do. Sweeping the issues of poverty and homelessness under the carpet is neither morally sound nor responsible. Ignoring the suffering of animals is not only callous, but it causes us to wonder what other crucial issues will be ignored.

Ethical maturity in politics includes having the foresight and planning skills to avoid confrontations with nature and animals. It means showing respect for the environment and all of the living beings with whom we share the earth.

It means caring about all life so that life can go on.

Respectfully yours,

Sinikka Crosland – Westbank

Castanet: Posted Nov 10, 2008
Story# 43026 / Contributed