greenparty.ca/en/candidate/nikida-steel www.greenparty.ca/en/candidate/nikida-steel
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On climate, I want to see serious, immediate action: a rapid transition to renewable energy, investment in public transit, retrofitting homes and buildings, and protecting biodiversity. We can create thousands of good, green jobs while securing a livable future.
On housing, I support policies that treat housing as a human right. I want to see investments in affordable, non-market housing, stronger tenant protections, and real action on speculation and empty homes.
On reconciliation, I advocate for Indigenous-led solutions, true implementation of UNDRIP, and the full return of jurisdiction over child welfare, land, and governance to Indigenous nations. As a Métis person, I want to see culturally grounded supports in every area of policy.
On income and affordability, I want to see a Guaranteed Livable Income, fair wages, and accessible public services—from pharmacare to mental health care—so no one is left behind.
On democracy, I believe in proportional representation and stronger local voices. Politics should reflect the people it serves, and that means lifting up marginalized voices and making sure every vote counts.
I want a future where we look out for each other, care for the Earth, and leave no one behind. That’s what I’ll fight for as a Green.
Affordability & Housing
Childcare
Nikida Steel's promises
I support policies that keep housing affordable in the long term through land trusts, co-ops, and non-profit models that take profit out of the equation.
- to cap rent increases, end renovictions, and ensure tenants have access to legal supports and fair treatment.
- I will support measures to curb speculation and vacancy, including taxes on empty homes and limits on corporate ownership of residential housing.
- I will champion a Housing First approach—safe, supportive housing with wraparound mental health and social services, not criminalization.
- I’ll push for fully funded, Indigenous-led housing strategies both on- and off-reserve, rooted in self-determination and cultural safety.
- I will advocate for universal design standards in all new builds, retrofitting existing units for accessibility, and expanding supportive housing options that allow people to live with dignity and independence in their own communities.
Food prices
Nikida Steel's promises
- I’ll advocate for investment in local farms, Indigenous food sovereignty, and urban agriculture to shorten supply chains, build food security, and keep prices stable.
- I support breaking up food monopolies and empowering the Competition Bureau to investigate and regulate large grocery chains driving up prices while raking in record profits.
- I’ll push for income supports that ensure everyone—especially low-income families, seniors, and students—can afford healthy, fresh food without sacrificing other basic needs.
- I’ll champion free, nutritious meals in schools so every child has access to healthy food, regardless of their family’s income.
- I’ll work to support farmers in adapting to climate change with sustainable practices, so we can protect our food supply and keep prices from spiraling due to climate-related disruptions.
Fuel and transportation costs
Nikida Steel's promises
advocate for policies to stabilize fuel prices without sacrificing environmental goals, ensuring that both consumers and communities are protected from sudden cost hikes during the energy transition.
I’ll push for significant investments in modern, reliable, and eco-friendly public transportation systems. Upgrading bus and train fleets to electric or low-emission models is essential for reducing congestion and pollution.
support building safer pathways for cycling and walking. These projects not only reduce emissions but also improve public health through increased physical activity.
Home ownership
Nikida Steel's promises
- I’ll advocate for targeted assistance for first-time homebuyers—including shared equity models and community land trusts—that reduce upfront costs without driving up housing prices.
- support updating building codes to require high-efficiency, low-emission construction, and providing grants or tax credits to help homeowners upgrade insulation, heating systems, and appliances.
- I will push for federal programs that reward energy-efficient homes with lower interest rates, rebates for green retrofits, and financing options that make sustainable choices affordable.
- I’ll promote ownership structures that prioritize community stability and sustainability over profit, including co-housing, co-ops, and land trusts.
- support stronger regulation of the mortgage and real estate markets to prevent housing from being treated purely as an investment vehicle, ensuring homes stay in the hands of people who live in them.
- I’ll advocate for policies that help homeowners adapt to climate risks—like wildfires, floods, and heatwaves—through grants for upgrades and disaster preparedness.
Homelessness
Nikida Steel's promises
- will advocate for a federally funded, community-led Housing First strategy that provides immediate, permanent housing—alongside mental health, trauma-informed care, addiction treatment, and social supports.
- I’ll fight for long-term funding to build and maintain deeply affordable, non-profit, Indigenous-led, and supportive housing—particularly for those most at risk in Vancouver East.
16,000 lives lost since the onset of the opioid crisis.
- support decriminalizing poverty, homelessness, and drug use, and will push for federal leadership on safe supply, supervised consumption sites, and culturally safe harm reduction services.
- I will champion a national mental health strategy with dedicated funding to expand accessible, publicly funded mental health and addiction services—including mobile crisis response teams that prevent unnecessary police intervention.
- I’ll fight for full funding of Indigenous housing and wellness programs both on- and off-reserve, rooted in self-determination, culture, and community.
- I’ll work to ensure federal standards for emergency shelters that prioritize safety, dignity, accessibility, and pathways to permanent housing.
Post-secondary costs and loans
Nikida Steel's promises
- I will fight for the gradual elimination of tuition for all post-secondary institutions, starting with making college and university free for low- and middle-income students.
- support forgiving existing federal student loan debt to relieve the crushing financial burden many graduates carry for decades after finishing school.
- I’ll push to phase out federal student loans and replace them with non-repayable grants that cover the real costs of education—tuition, books, housing, and food.
- will advocate for the end of unpaid internships and ensure all students and apprentices receive fair wages and safe working conditions.
- fight for fully funded, culturally safe education programs for Indigenous learners and targeted supports for students facing systemic barriers—including disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized, and low-income students.
- work to increase federal transfers to universities and colleges, ensuring they remain public, well-funded, and focused on education—not profit.
Poverty
Nikida Steel's promises
- push for a national Guaranteed Livable Income to ensure everyone has the means to meet their basic needs—regardless of employment status—dignified, unconditional, and indexed to the cost of living.
- I will fight for massive investment in deeply affordable, supportive, and non-market housing as a foundation for stability and dignity.
- advocate for fully funded pharmacare, dental care, mental health care, and childcare—because access to health and well-being shouldn’t depend on your income.
- I support a federal living wage, protections for gig and precarious workers, and stronger enforcement of labour rights—so no one working full-time lives in poverty.
- champion universal school food programs, support for community-based food systems, and policies to make healthy food affordable and accessible.
- advocate for intersectional anti-poverty strategies that centre Indigenous people, racialized communities, seniors, people with disabilities, and youth.
Public and affordable housing
Nikida Steel's promises
- I’ll fight for sustained federal funding to build at least 50,000 units of deeply affordable, non-profit, cooperative, and public housing annually—prioritizing those most in need.
- I support removing housing from the speculative market by investing in models like land trusts, co-ops, and Indigenous-led housing that guarantee long-term affordability.
- I will push for funding to upgrade and expand current public housing units to ensure they’re safe, livable, climate-resilient, and accessible to all—including seniors and people with disabilities.
- I’ll advocate for stronger tenant rights and a national framework for rent control, so people aren’t priced out of their communities or evicted without cause.
- I support a Housing First approach with wraparound health, mental health, and social services that ensure no one is forced to live on the streets or in unsafe conditions.
- I will fight for full funding and autonomy for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities to build, own, and govern their own housing—on and off reserve.
Renting and rental housing
Nikida Steel's promises
- will push for a federal rent control strategy in partnership with provinces and territories—capping annual increases, closing loopholes, and preventing renovictions and demovictions.
- support major federal investment in building and maintaining co-op, non-profit, and community-owned rental housing that is permanently affordable and not tied to profit motives.
- will fight for a national standard that guarantees fair leases, protection from unjust evictions, transparent rent pricing, and access to legal support and dispute resolution.
- I’ll advocate for restrictions on large corporate landlords and real estate investment trusts (REITs) that are driving up rents and removing affordable units from the market.
- will champion emergency rental assistance programs and eviction moratoriums during times of crisis, ensuring no one loses their home due to temporary hardship.
- I’ll work to fund energy-efficiency upgrades in rental buildings with strong rules preventing landlords from using retrofits as an excuse to raise rents or displace tenants.
Tax measures and rebates
Nikida Steel's promises
- will push for a wealth tax on the ultra-rich and higher taxes on large corporations and real estate speculators, so those profiting the most contribute their fair share.
- I support closing corporate tax loopholes, cracking down on offshore tax avoidance, and ensuring multinationals pay taxes where they do business.
- I’ll advocate for expanded federal rebates for home energy retrofits, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and public transit passes to help Canadians lower emissions and save money.
- support removing the GST from essential items like diapers, menstrual products, and all basic, healthy food—including culturally relevant staples—to reduce the cost of living.
- I’ll push for increased federal tax credits for low-income individuals and families, including a more generous Canada Child Benefit and seniors’ tax credits.
- support tax incentives for small, community-focused businesses—especially those that are worker-owned, co-operative, or environmentally sustainable.
Climate Change & the Environment
Climate adaptation
Nikida Steel's promises
- will fight for science-based, legally binding targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, with a 60% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030.
- support an immediate end to subsidies, new drilling, and pipeline construction, and a just transition away from fossil fuels—protecting workers, not corporate profits.
- I’ll advocate for large-scale investment in public transit, renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable agriculture to create jobs while slashing emissions.
- promise to support workers through retraining programs, income guarantees, and job creation in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience sectors.
- champion the protection of 30% of Canada’s land and waters by 2030, Indigenous-led conservation, and restoration of ecosystems that act as carbon sinks.
- support funding for local adaptation—flood protection, cooling centres, wildfire response, and emergency preparedness—to help communities survive worsening climate impacts.
- I’ll ensure Indigenous rights, knowledge, and leadership are central to all climate decisions, supporting sovereignty and land stewardship as essential to climate action.
Mining and minerals
Nikida Steel's promises
- will fight to ensure that no mining projects move forward without the free, prior, and informed consent of affected Indigenous Nations—honouring UNDRIP and Indigenous sovereignty.
- I’ll advocate for policies that prioritize mineral recycling, reuse, and repair to reduce the demand for new extraction and extend the life of existing materials.
- support robust federal oversight and environmental assessments that prevent ecosystem destruction, protect watersheds, and prioritize biodiversity over short-term profits.
- push for legally binding agreements that guarantee local communities—especially Indigenous and rural—see real, long-term benefits from any mining activity, including jobs, revenue sharing, and environmental monitoring.
- support a moratorium on deep-sea mining and will oppose projects that pose unacceptable risks to ecosystems and communities.
- I’ll promote a national plan that aligns mineral extraction with our climate goals—limiting extraction to what is truly needed for the green transition and ensuring it is done responsibly.
- I will advocate for mandatory public reporting of environmental, social, and human rights impacts from Canadian mining companies—both at home and abroad.
Jobs, Businesses, & Labour
Mining and minerals
Nikida Steel's promises
- will fight to ensure that no mining projects move forward without the free, prior, and informed consent of affected Indigenous Nations—honouring UNDRIP and Indigenous sovereignty.
- I’ll advocate for policies that prioritize mineral recycling, reuse, and repair to reduce the demand for new extraction and extend the life of existing materials.
- support robust federal oversight and environmental assessments that prevent ecosystem destruction, protect watersheds, and prioritize biodiversity over short-term profits.
- push for legally binding agreements that guarantee local communities—especially Indigenous and rural—see real, long-term benefits from any mining activity, including jobs, revenue sharing, and environmental monitoring.
- support a moratorium on deep-sea mining and will oppose projects that pose unacceptable risks to ecosystems and communities.
- I’ll promote a national plan that aligns mineral extraction with our climate goals—limiting extraction to what is truly needed for the green transition and ensuring it is done responsibly.
- I will advocate for mandatory public reporting of environmental, social, and human rights impacts from Canadian mining companies—both at home and abroad.
Post-Secondary Education & Jobs Training
Post-secondary costs and loans
Nikida Steel's promises
- I will fight for the gradual elimination of tuition for all post-secondary institutions, starting with making college and university free for low- and middle-income students.
- support forgiving existing federal student loan debt to relieve the crushing financial burden many graduates carry for decades after finishing school.
- I’ll push to phase out federal student loans and replace them with non-repayable grants that cover the real costs of education—tuition, books, housing, and food.
- will advocate for the end of unpaid internships and ensure all students and apprentices receive fair wages and safe working conditions.
- fight for fully funded, culturally safe education programs for Indigenous learners and targeted supports for students facing systemic barriers—including disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized, and low-income students.
- work to increase federal transfers to universities and colleges, ensuring they remain public, well-funded, and focused on education—not profit.
Biography
Living with a chronic condition, she is cognizant of the disparities faced by those with disabilities and the gaps in services and supports. A survivor of systemic abuse, Nikida has spent her life healing & dismantling harmful systems, challenging the status quo, and fostering meaningful change through collaboration with community peers and partners.
Living in Vancouver East, Nikida understands firsthand the challenges faced by constituents in the riding and is deeply committed to addressing them with respect, accountability, and genuine care. Her lived experiences fuel her unwavering dedication to creating a society where everyone can thrive. She brings with her a complementary academic background with studies from Douglas College and the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
With a history of vulnerable sectors/leadership roles in mainstream and nonprofit organizations, Nikida has championed the rights of marginalized people and the common working populations, consistently speaking out against injustice and advocating for systemic reform. Her work reflects her commitment to values that matter most to Vancouver East:
• Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention: Advocating for survivors and raising awareness about exploitation.
• Systemic Abuse and Justice Reform: Fighting for justice and equity in systems that have historically failed marginalized communities.
• Affordable Housing and Poverty Reduction: Promoting policies that ensure housing is a right, not a privilege.
• Climate Action and Sustainability: Committing to climate justice and building resilient communities.
• Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation: Supporting self-determination and working toward meaningful reconciliation.
• Ethical Governance and Political Accountability: Upholding transparency and integrity in government.
• Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Advocating for harm reduction, mental health services, and life-saving medications.
Nikida’s approach is rooted in compassion and collaboration. She believes in holding one another accountable and walking together toward sustainable outcomes that honour the needs of every individual. Her campaign is about building bridges, fostering community resilience, and creating policies that reflect the realities of the people she serves. The crimes against Nikida and her peers (coast to coast on Turtle Island) as well as many other Canadians who have survived exploitation and systemic harms officially ended in 2015. The involvement of a high-ranking officer (who went to jail in 2018) and the inability of the local MLA’s/MPs to engage with the concerning subject matter only allowed for additional harms and silenced the truth from surfacing. The prior administrations refused to address the correspondence pertaining to the matters which allowed for additional harm and perpetuated denial of basic human rights.
As a lifelong learner and tireless advocate, Nikida Steel is ready to bring her voice, experience, and commitment to Parliament, ensuring that Vancouver East is heard, valued, and supported. She is fully bilingual in English and French and is active in community engagement/public speaking. Most recently, she presented at the restorative justice conference in Alberta, November 2024, and will be delivering a TEDx talk at Western University, February 2025. Lastly, in the fall of 2024, she was added to the Associate Roster for Mediate BC upon fully meeting the requirements. #GREENLIGHT2025
Reason for running
As a Métis person and a long-time community advocate, I know the importance of grassroots leadership. I’m bringing forward the voices of those too often left out of the conversation—youth, renters, frontline workers, and Indigenous communities.
The Green Party offers more than just environmental solutions. We’re committed to social justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and building a fair economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy few.
I’m running because I believe change is possible, and it starts with bold, honest leadership that puts people and the planet first.
Voting for me is voting for sustainable change from somebody who champions, authenticity and integrity
greenparty.ca/en/candidate/nikida-steel www.greenparty.ca/en/candidate/nikida-steel