EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first in a series of six federal election candidate profiles, appearing daily in alphabetical order.
Tara Jeffrey
Stefanie Bunko wants to change some misconceptions about the Green Party.
“I find sometimes there’s a lack of knowledge — people think the Greens are just pushing the green energy… a bunch of crunchy granola hippie people,” she said with a laugh.
“Yes, I’m one of those, but there’s a new age of us who are tech-advanced and understand the needs for transitioning communities.”
The Bright’s Grove native and first-time federal election candidate for the Sarnia-Lambton Greens says she’s been a lifelong activist, but decided in recent years she wanted to do more.
“Sometimes when you hear ‘politics,’ there’s a bad taste in your mouth; you feel like some of it’s not truthful,” said the mother of two boys.
“So I was more into the activist side of things — promoting certain legislation, collecting signatures and canvassing. But as I’m getting older, I’m realizing that only gets me so far.
“So I put my name in for the Greens and then all of the sudden I heard the writ was dropping soon.”
The Lambton College graduate and project manager at Sarnia’s CMS Inc. says she works best under pressure.
“I’m used it. Like anything in project management, you want to have everything categorized, controlled and risk-assessed. So that part of my personality is kicking in,” she said.
“Yes I feel flustered and there’s a lot of things I have to do all at once, but this is my normal.”
Bunko, a graduate of both the college’s computer programming and alternative energy engineering technology programs, has also worked in wind and solar project development.
“Bringing in green technology initiatives to the area is important,” she said. “The local economy and industry can benefit from them… by diversifying their portfolio more in order to capture or profit from their waste.
“A lot of the fossil fuels that people are against can be turned into a commodity, and be zero emissions.”
Bunko said she’s also passionate about health care, mental health supports, housing and supporting small businesses.
“The more localized your consumer items are the less CO2 or emissions are going to be put out by going to get it or transporting it here,” she said. “So I’m definitely here for the local small businesses and farmers.”
Above all, she wants Sarnia-Lambton residents to be informed this election, and says she’s not one to shy away from the tough questions.
“I’m a very passionate person; I welcome all to reach out to me,” she said. “I want everyone to analyze every party platform, ask the hard questions, and demand true answers.
“That’s the only way you’re going to see true change and reform that will benefit everyone.”