Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault and Yukon Green candidate Gabrielle Dupont announcing plans for a National Civil Defence Corps in downtown Whitehorse. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – The Green Party unveiled a plan to create a 120,000-member National Civil Defence Corps aimed at enhancing Canada’s preparedness for climate change and cyber attacks amid increasing geopolitical tensions.
Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault introduced the plan in Whitehorse, emphasizing the need for universal access to emergency preparedness skills such as first aid, crisis response, and cybersecurity.
“Every Canadian, young or old will have access, if they want, to basic emergency preparedness skills… so that no one should be left behind in case of a blackout, a wildfire or a digital breach,” said Pedneault.
The proposal includes a priority for hiring for oil and gas workers. It also offers an optional defense skills program which would train thousands of Canadians in areas such as search and rescue, survival techniques, tactical first aid, and firearms safety.
Additionally, the Green Party’s plan calls for an expansion of Canada’s reserve forces by 20,000 personnel.
“This is not a call for militarization, and it’s important to say it’s a call for community, for readiness to be ready to help our neighbors in times of need,” said Pedneault.
Pedneault anticipates the initiative will cost “tens of billions of dollars” but argues that Canada must take greater responsibility for its own security, given the global instability and the unreliable nature of the U.S. as a partner.
“We think this is an extremely bad time to cut services for Canadians,” said Pedneault. “We need Canadians to know that the state is there to help them get through these hard times.”
