Regina Votes: Evangeline Godron has hemp-based solution to infrastructure

CBC Radio'sThe Morning Editionspoke with fourcandidates for the office of mayor this week. On Friday morning, Evangeline Godronjoined host Sheila Coles in studio to discuss her candidacy.

Godron is a playwright andseasoned activist who ran as a Green Party MLA in the last election. Godron said her first taste ofactivism came when she was roughly fouror fiveyears old.

Two of her platform's main points are to address infrastructure and homelessness in Regina.

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Hempcrete

"You can make anything from hemp that you can make from oil," she said of the crop and its uses.

Hemp can be used to make hempcrete, an alternative to concrete that is more environmentally friendly, reduces carbon footprint and is a fraction of the weight.

"Even senior citizens can work with hemp," she said.

In addition to its practical advantages, Godron said the hemp could be grown, bought and sold locally to boost the economy.

Godron said it can be grown in 100 days and will save the use of trees. She said hemp isn't widely used because of marijuana legislation, as hemp is related to the cannabis plant.

"It certainly would outlast the cement."

She said most people haven't heard of hempcrete but said it would stop pot holes from "continuing like dandelions."

• Canadian producers working to meet growing overseas demand for 'superfood' hemp seeds

Homelessness

Godron feels more needs to be done to address the homelessness in the city. She recalls one incident at a library where a young man was escorted out of the building.

She admits she needs to research in greater detail before she speaks to exactly how she would address homelessness but she is adamant that it cannot be policed away.

"We currently have a solution for homelessness. It's called jail," she said.

"Jails are the most expensive hotels there are," she added.

Godron believes that solving homelessness will ultimately save the city money in the long run, as ignoring it will only cause costs to accumulate over time.

Artistry and activism

In addition to her activism, Godron is also a playwright.

Her most recent and current work isThe Manly Art of Breastfeeding.

"I'm in favour of rights that don't even affect me because I believe in rights, civil and human rights," she said.

Godron said the play starts with a viking who has to breastfeedhis child. The vikingcut his nipple to feed the childand the baby began to suckle, ultimately surviving.

"In Nova Scotia, I met a man who had breastfed his first child."

Her activism has landed her in the news before, for having sunbathed topless in a public parkin 1997 and going topless at a swimming pool a year later.

In the 1997 instance, Godronfaced charges of indecency for sunbathing topless in Victoria Park. She fought the charges and was ultimately acquitted in July 1998. A judge ruled Godron and a colleague created no disturbance or harm to the public.

During the second incident,Godron was again topless but in a Wascana Centre pool. After refusing to leave, she was charged with assault and mischief. She was convicted of the mischief, fined $200 and spent two nights in jail.