Aiden Sisler interviewed Jean Swanson.
Aiden Sisler of Socialist Alternative interviewed Jean about why she is running for Council, what she will do when elected and about going to prison for peacefully protesting against Trudeau’s pipeline.
“I’ve worked for 40 years trying to get governments to end poverty and homelessness. I’ve had many frustrating interactions with City Council, which supports developers to gentrify and push up rents, resulting in increasing homelessness which is life-threatening.
“In last year’s by-election we talked about The City We Need – rent freeze, ending homelessness, a mansion tax so the city has the money to end homelessness and then start getting lots of social housing to ensure that lower income renters have housing security. Housing and services should be shifted out of the market, that is failing so many. From nowhere I came second and won the polls with low-income people and renters [the majority of Vancouver residents]. Folks will vote for politicians who fearlessly say what we need and work with them to get those changes.
“The success of Sanders, Corbyn and Sawant [shows] that things are changing after years of austerity. We can make electoral gains by campaigning for social and environmental justice. Socialist Alternative’s Seattle councillor, Kshama Sawant, is an awesome model. She’s given us good advice including don’t negotiate for what is possible, go for what is needed. I agree with her approach of working with movements to win the election and then using the council to work with movements to win.
“My priority will be improvements for the people most in need. So, end homelessness, then build social housing and a rent freeze for low- and moderate-income renters. People who are poor have a shorter life expectancy. A more equal society is life-saving. Winning these won’t be easy, but by working with groups across the city we can put pressure on the province to deliver.
“I’d continue to be part of social and environmental justice movements. I’d use the council office to boost the power of these movements by providing voice, space, staff expertise, and support with education and action. I’d really push to make the city a place for everyone who lives here, especially lower income folks, regardless of what level of government is technically responsible.”
“The law legalized slavery, Indigenous residential schools, the theft of Indigenous land and children working 16-hour days. Laws made it illegal to join a union, and for women and tenants to vote. Throughout history people have resisted repugnant laws. Trudeau’s pipeline is dangerous to the land, the water, and Indigenous rights. Spending $13.8 billion of tax money on this planet-threatening pipeline is repugnant.
“Stopping the pipeline unites many important issues. $13.8 billion would employ Alberta tar sands workers to build solar and wind power, end homelessness and provide clean water on all Indigenous reserves. Thousands are opposing it just like people stopped slavery and got the vote for women. In a couple of decades, the laws that allow the pipeline bailout will be seen in the same way as the laws that allowed slavery.”
