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Nikida Steel

Green candidate for Vancouver East
My goals are rooted in creating a just, sustainable, and inclusive future. I want to see policies that put people and the planet before profit—policies that are bold, compassionate, and grounded in reality.

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Affordability & Housing

Childcare

Nikida Steel's promises

Massive investment in non-market housing: push for the construction of publicly funded, community-owned, and cooperative housing
Permanent affordability:

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.

Stronger renter protections: I’ll advocate for national standards
  1. to cap rent increases, end renovictions, and ensure tenants have access to legal supports and fair treatment.
Crack down on speculation
  1. I will support measures to curb speculation and vacancy, including taxes on empty homes and limits on corporate ownership of residential housing.
End homelessness with dignity and support
  1. I will champion a Housing First approach—safe, supportive housing with wraparound mental health and social services, not criminalization.
Indigenous housing solutions
  1. I’ll push for fully funded, Indigenous-led housing strategies both on- and off-reserve, rooted in self-determination and cultural safety.
Accessible, inclusive housing for seniors and people with disabilities:
  1. 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

Support for local food systems:
  1. 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.
Crack down on corporate price-gouging:
  1. 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.
A Guaranteed Livable Income:
  1. 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.
Universal school food programs
  1. I’ll champion free, nutritious meals in schools so every child has access to healthy food, regardless of their family’s income.
Climate-resilient agriculture
  1. 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

Fair Fuel Pricing:

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.

Enhanced Public Transit

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.

Active Transportation Infrastructure:

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

Support for first-time buyers:
  1. 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.
Eco-friendly building standards:
  1. 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.
Green mortgage incentives:
  1. 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.
Co-operative and community ownership models:
  1. I’ll promote ownership structures that prioritize community stability and sustainability over profit, including co-housing, co-ops, and land trusts.
Protect against predatory lending and speculation:
  1. 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.
Climate-resilient housing
  1. 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

Housing First, with wraparound supports:
  1. 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.
Massive investment in non-market housing:
  1. 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.
Decriminalization and harm reduction:

16,000 lives lost since the onset of the opioid crisis.

  1. 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.
Mental health care as health care:
  1. 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.
Indigenous-led solutions
  1. I’ll fight for full funding of Indigenous housing and wellness programs both on- and off-reserve, rooted in self-determination, culture, and community.
Emergency shelter reform:
  1. 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

Abolish tuition fees:
  1. 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.
Cancel student loan debt
  1. support forgiving existing federal student loan debt to relieve the crushing financial burden many graduates carry for decades after finishing school.
Replace student loans with grants:
  1. 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.
Fair pay and protections for students and interns
  1. will advocate for the end of unpaid internships and ensure all students and apprentices receive fair wages and safe working conditions.
Support for Indigenous and marginalized students:
  1. 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.
Invest in public post-secondary institutions
  1. 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

Implement a Guaranteed Livable Income:
  1. 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.
Expand affordable housing and end homelessness:
  1. I will fight for massive investment in deeply affordable, supportive, and non-market housing as a foundation for stability and dignity.
Universal, accessible public services
  1. 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.
Fair wages and strong worker protections
  1. 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.
Food security for all
  1. champion universal school food programs, support for community-based food systems, and policies to make healthy food affordable and accessible.
Targeted supports for those most at risk:
  1. 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

Massive investment in public and non-market housing:
  1. 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.
Permanent affordability, not temporary subsidies:
  1. 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.
Repair and expand existing public housing stock:
  1. 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.
National rent control and tenant protections:
  1. 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.
End homelessness through supportive housing:
  1. 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.
Prioritize Indigenous housing leadership
  1. 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

National Rent Control Framework
  1. will push for a federal rent control strategy in partnership with provinces and territories—capping annual increases, closing loopholes, and preventing renovictions and demovictions.
Expand Non-Market Rental Housing:
  1. 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.
Tenant Bill of Rights:
  1. 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.
Protect Affordable Rentals from Corporate Takeover:
  1. 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.
Support for Renters in Crisis:
  1. will champion emergency rental assistance programs and eviction moratoriums during times of crisis, ensuring no one loses their home due to temporary hardship.
Green Retrofits Without Displacement:
  1. 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

Fair Taxes on the Wealthy
  1. 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.
End Tax Loopholes and Offshore Havens:
  1. I support closing corporate tax loopholes, cracking down on offshore tax avoidance, and ensuring multinationals pay taxes where they do business.
Green Rebates for Households:
  1. 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.
GST Exemptions on Essentials:
  1. 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.
Targeted Tax Relief for Low- and Middle-Income Canadians:
  1. 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.
Incentives for Small and Ethical Businesses
  1. 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

Legally Binding Climate Targets
  1. will fight for science-based, legally binding targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, with a 60% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030.
End Fossil Fuel Expansion:
  1. support an immediate end to subsidies, new drilling, and pipeline construction, and a just transition away from fossil fuels—protecting workers, not corporate profits.
Massive Green Infrastructure Investment
  1. I’ll advocate for large-scale investment in public transit, renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable agriculture to create jobs while slashing emissions.
Just Transition for Workers:
  1. promise to support workers through retraining programs, income guarantees, and job creation in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience sectors.
Protect and Restore Nature:
  1. 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.
Climate-Resilient Communities
  1. support funding for local adaptation—flood protection, cooling centres, wildfire response, and emergency preparedness—to help communities survive worsening climate impacts.
Indigenous Climate Leadership:
  1. 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

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent:
  1. 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.
Circular Economy and Urban Mining:
  1. 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.
Strict Environmental Protections
  1. support robust federal oversight and environmental assessments that prevent ecosystem destruction, protect watersheds, and prioritize biodiversity over short-term profits.
Community Benefit Agreements:
  1. 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.
Ban Deep-Sea Mining and High-Risk Projects:
  1. support a moratorium on deep-sea mining and will oppose projects that pose unacceptable risks to ecosystems and communities.
Responsible Transition Minerals Strategy:
  1. 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.
Transparency and Corporate Accountability:
  1. 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

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent:
  1. 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.
Circular Economy and Urban Mining:
  1. 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.
Strict Environmental Protections
  1. support robust federal oversight and environmental assessments that prevent ecosystem destruction, protect watersheds, and prioritize biodiversity over short-term profits.
Community Benefit Agreements:
  1. 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.
Ban Deep-Sea Mining and High-Risk Projects:
  1. support a moratorium on deep-sea mining and will oppose projects that pose unacceptable risks to ecosystems and communities.
Responsible Transition Minerals Strategy:
  1. 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.
Transparency and Corporate Accountability:
  1. 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

Abolish tuition fees:
  1. 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.
Cancel student loan debt
  1. support forgiving existing federal student loan debt to relieve the crushing financial burden many graduates carry for decades after finishing school.
Replace student loans with grants:
  1. 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.
Fair pay and protections for students and interns
  1. will advocate for the end of unpaid internships and ensure all students and apprentices receive fair wages and safe working conditions.
Support for Indigenous and marginalized students:
  1. 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.
Invest in public post-secondary institutions
  1. work to increase federal transfers to universities and colleges, ensuring they remain public, well-funded, and focused on education—not profit.

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
Nikida Steel (Awinita-Little Fawn) is a Métis/Italian , youthful mother of five. Born in this province in 1979, she is also a grandmother and a passionate advocate for justice, equity, and sustainability.

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

submitted by the candidate or their team
I’m running as a Green Party candidate because I believe in a future where people and the planet thrive together. Climate change, housing, affordability, and a broken relationship with Indigenous Peoples—and business-as-usual politics isn’t solving them.

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


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