Election Q&A: New Democratic Party

Newcomer Jäger Rosenberg answers our questions

This is another in a series of articles aimed at local readers leading up to this year's federal election on April 28.

The Watershed has offered questions to each of the candidates running in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country.

Jäger Rosenberg first ran for office in 2024 at age 17. These days he serves as the Diversity Director for the BC Young New Democrats Executive and is a member of the BC NDP Provincial Council. He is an active volunteer, including contributing to the Gibsons Citizens Assembly on Housing. His platform can be found HERE.

Q: Living in a coastal village in British Columbia, local voters often feel sidelined by federal politics. What policies or plans do you have to engage the voters of Lions Bay?

A: I hear this a lot — that small communities like Lions Bay are often treated like an afterthought in Ottawa. That’s not just frustrating — it’s unacceptable. I got into politics because I’m tired of seeing communities like ours ignored while decisions are made far away by people who’ve never stepped foot here. That has to change.

As your MP, I’d commit to regular, direct outreach — open town halls, quarterly check-ins with community leaders, and accessible updates that break down what’s happening in Parliament and how it affects you. Being present in communities like Lions Bay, and listening before making decisions. This riding isn’t just a line on a map — it’s home to people with strong ideas, big hearts, and a real stake in the future. That deserves respect, not neglect.

Q: With our village located on the Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound Biosphere, many Lions Bay residents are deeply concerned about environmental issues. What are your priorities to address changing climate realities and to improve the protection and resiliency of this region against wildfires and drought?

A: The Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound region is one of the most ecologically significant places in the country, and I understand why residents are fiercely protective of it. Like many coastal communities, we’re already seeing the impacts of the climate crisis — longer droughts, greater fire risk, and growing pressure on water and forest systems.

The NDP has committed to investing in community-led climate adaptation and Indigenous stewardship. That includes better wildfire prevention, watershed protection, and stronger emergency management support. I’ll advocate for federal funding that meets the scale of these challenges, with a focus on local solutions rooted in science and respect for the land.

We need to treat this region not just as a place to protect, but as a model of how to build resilience in the face of a changing climate.

Q: During this time of uncertainty because of the levying of international tariffs by the Trump administration, what commitment have you made personally to buying local and/or Canadian?

A: Trump’s return to global politics has once again introduced volatility that affects Canadian businesses, workers, and communities. His tariff threats aren’t about fairness — they’re about corporate gain and political bullying — and we need to be ready to stand up for ourselves.

Personally, I make an effort to support local food producers, Canadian-made goods, and small businesses whenever I can. It’s something I care about — not just as a consumer, but as someone who believes in community resilience and economic fairness.

The NDP is pushing for a strong “Buy Canadian, Build Canadian” approach in federal spending, support for local agriculture and manufacturing, and safeguards against unfair trade practices. We should never be caught off guard by foreign policy decisions that put our economy at risk.

Q: Federal leaders have all been talking about housing shortages, but very little has been put forward about transportation. For those of us who use the Sea to Sky every day, we see what increased density without other transportation options means for commuters. What would you do to address the transportation problems faced in our region?

A: Transportation in this region is stretched past its limits. The Sea to Sky Highway wasn’t built for the level of growth we’re seeing now — and while housing development is speeding up, transit has barely moved. That’s not just a traffic issue — it’s a safety issue, a climate issue, and an affordability issue.

We have lagged far behind other developed countries when it comes to public transport. And I know this first hand. I often rely on public transport, and can confidently say we do not have sufficient service. It is impossible to get all the way across our riding without a car, and that needs to change.

The NDP is committed to a National Public Transit Strategy, and I’d fight to make sure that includes rural and regional routes like the Sea to Sky. We need reliable, frequent, affordable bus service; safer highway infrastructure; and serious investment in long-term solutions like regional rail. I’d also push for better ferry connections and active transit infrastructure for the communities between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler.

While this is a municipal and provincial jurisdiction, the federal government has a major role to play to support better connectivity between our communities.

Q: What else would you like to share with voters in Lions Bay?

A: I’m not a career politician. I’m 18, and I decided to run because I couldn’t sit back any longer and watch our politics fail young people, working families, and the planet. We need new voices, new energy, and people who actually listen.

What you can expect from me is humility, honesty, and a work ethic grounded in community. I will always show up, I will always be transparent, and I will always put people first. I know what it’s like to feel like no one in power is listening. That’s why I’m running — to be the kind of representative who does.

This is the fourth in a series of articles addressing the 2025 federal election.

Read Green Party candidate Lauren Greenlaw's views HERE.

Read Incumbent Liberal Party candidate Patrick Weiler's responses HERE.

Read People's Party candidate Peyman Askari's views HERE.

Share your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca

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