PERTH-WELLINGTON – As part of our Federal Election coverage, we will be running a special feature over the next three weeks, asking regional candidates questions related to their party platforms.
Irma DeVries – Christian Heritage Party
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
I am running for the CHP, for the sixth time, to raise awareness of the most important human right: the right to life, without which all other rights are meaningless. If government can give you rights, then government can take away rights. The right to life is unalienable. It is a God given right. All other rights flow from this. We measure society by its civility. If we cannot find a way to care for not-yet-born human beings, their mothers and the disabled, elderly, infirm and veterans then we are not very civilized.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
Rod Taylor would make an excellent PM – I know him to be ethical. He makes decisions from principle rather than expediency. He has a history of protecting and standing up for the weak and helpless. He understands the challenges of working class families from experience. He will rein in wasteful government spending and vote purchasing. He would protect school children from indoctrination through the political viewpoints of teacher’s unions and other non-parental sources. He is thoughtful and caring for individuals. His backbone is sure and steady. I admire his leadership and find him to be truthful always.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
The most important issue for all Canadians is curbing our national deficit and repaying our debt. These are a drain on our local economy, as they are a drain nationwide. More money will be left in the pockets of taxpayers when the CHP institutes our financial plan. We would allow income splitting for all married couples (one man, one woman) and implement lower, simpler, flatter taxes to reduce the regulatory burden of compliance. CHP supports infrastructure renewal. We would overhaul the CPP with a Personal Income Security Account (PISA) which you would control rather than government.
John Nater, Conservative Party
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
Raised on our family’s farm near Mitchell, I learned early the importance of hard work. I believe in public service and our capacity to build strong, healthy communities, and a country that future generations will be proud to inherit. I’m running to serve every person in every corner of Perth–Wellington. Service means representing our values and interests. That’s what motivated me to introduce a bill to protect young people and those with disabilities from exploitation. It’s also why I have championed rural communities, stood up for local small businesses, and challenged the government on accountability.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
A good prime minister must have the trust of Canadians. In the years I have known him, Andrew Scheer has proven himself to be a trustworthy and thoughtful leader. Andrew Scheer is also a hardworking father of five who understands the challenges families face. He wants to help all Canadians build the kind of community and life they want. Most of all, Andrew Scheer’s vision for Canada—strong, positive and inclusive—is one I support. He will respect our laws and act in the national interest. Canadians should expect nothing less from anyone running for prime minister.
- What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
For local voters, this election is a question of trust. Voters should consider two equally important questions. First, we must ask which leader, and which party, should we trust to take on serious national challenges. Who do we trust to help make it possible for all of us to get ahead?
Second, we must ask which local candidate has shown the ability to represent our values and capably serve our community. Which candidate do we trust to be accessible when we need them most? It all comes down to trust.
Collan Simmons, Green Party
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
My wife and I moved to Stratford almost 10 years ago to work and raise our family. I am a doctor, chief of anesthesia at Stratford General Hospital, and an adjunct professor at Western University. My background is in biology. When the latest intergovernmental reports said climate change is happening, and we are running out of time to make the needed changes, I signed up with the Green Party, to help keep the world livable for our children. We need changes at the federal level to curb the expansion of the oil and gas industry, which is Canada’s largest emitter.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
Elizabeth May is an amazing person. She is whip smart, an excellent speaker, and lives by her principles. She is a lawyer, an environmentalist, received the Order of Canada, and helped negotiate the Montreal accord (which stopped the ozone layer depletion). She is uncompromising in her values and isn’t tainted by corporate influence; the Green Party does not take corporate donations. Her decisions are based on science and fact. She is the person Canada needs to help make decisions about our future, to help us maintain a livable planet for the future.
- What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
Climate change is our biggest issue, but locally we won’t see major frequent impacts until it’s too late. For most people, a more immediate issue is the cost of living. Life is expensive and wages haven’t kept up with costs. People are worried about making sure their families have what they need to get by and be happy. To help people get ahead, the Green Party plans to lower taxes for the people making the least money, and raise taxes on the very wealthy and large corporations. Tax breaks for huge corporations don’t help everyday people.
Pirie Mitchell
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
My life’s work has focused on serving others. I know how to bring people together to work toward common goals. I welcome the opportunity to continue this work as your MP focusing on reducing the cost of living, strengthening social services and fighting climate change. The breadth of my experience — as a volunteer and community organizer, host of a program on CFPL-TV, special education teacher, and United Church minister in St. Marys, Stratford and Palmerston — has prepared me well. My wife Ruth and I live in St. Marys; we are the proud parents/grandparents of five children and three grandchildren.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
In his first four years as prime minister, Mr. Trudeau has been a voice of reason on the world stage. He has championed the rights of minorities and advocated for the environment. Trudeau is an empathetic communicator with a proven ability to negotiate and maintain critical relationships. While a strong leader is an important consideration on voting day, it is equally important that citizens consider the strength of their local representative and his ability to represent their voices in Ottawa. Pirie is committed to listening and being a strong advocate for our riding on the government side of the aisle.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
Affordability is the most important issue. Families of 19,810 children in Perth-Wellington receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Liberals will boost CCB by 15% for children under age one, make maternity and parental benefits tax-free, and introduce a 15-week leave for adoptive parents. When seniors turn 75, Old Age Security will increase by 10%. We will increase Canada Pension Plan survivor’s benefit by 25%. Climate Action Incentive payments make our plan to fight climate change affordable. An average family of four will receive $307 in 2019. Residents of rural communities receive an additional 10% because of higher energy needs.
Geoff Krauter
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
I grew up in Markham, Ontario and have a physical disability which in part inspires my social activism. In Guelph, I earned an honours BA in political science and hosted “Words and Music“ on 93.3 CFRU FM. In Stratford, I have been active with The Local Community Food Centre, and am currently on the Board of the Rotaract Club. I have recently been employed with an affiliate of the United Way of Perth-Huron. I am running because we have to act now – for our environment, for our farmers, for our seniors and young people – before it’s too late!
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
agmeet Singh is principled and accomplished. Before becoming an MPP, he was a criminal lawyer, focussing on human rights cases. As an MPP in Ontario, Jagmeet served as deputy leader of the NDP and justice critic. He has broken down many barriers to the political process for those who have not seen themselves reflected in it. As prime minister, he will create economic opportunity in all regions of Canada through a Green New Deal. Jagmeet Singh is the only leader willing to take on tax evasion and close tax loop-holes that favour the well-connected.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
Citizens of Perth Wellington are keenly aware of the threat posed by climate change to the planet and our way of life. Extreme weather events like flooding, heavy rain, forest fires and intense hurricanes are seen across the country. Here it is farm families that are bearing the brunt. Climate change threatens the existence of the family farm and many farmers were not able to get seed in the ground until the second week of June, if at all. The NDP’s climate plan protects the interests of local agricultural producers and consumers.
Roger Fuhr, People’s Party of Canada
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
I am a 58-year-old lifelong resident of Perth-Wellington. Raised on a local dairy farm, I became a tool and die maker and ran my own business in Stratford. I am now retired. Shelly and I have lived in St. Pauls for 22 years. I ran as an independent candidate in the 2015 federal election in this riding; I’m pleased to have found a party with policies I endorse. The political system in this country is broken and we need to fix it. I am extremely concerned about our grandchildren’s future and feel I must act to bring options to voters.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
Maxime Bernier is fully engaged and committed to the process, without question, and he is determined to bring fairness, respect, responsibility and freedom to our nation. He has committed to balancing the federal budget in two years, unlike any other candidate for prime minister. This can be done without question, in my opinion. He is committed to various key points such as completing the Trans Mountain pipeline, ending the carbon tax, ending corporate welfare, addressing mass immigration in a sustainable way, supporting veterans while ending support to foreign nations and supporting Canadians first.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
Health care is top of mind. We will give the provinces incentives to deal with wait times and rising costs. We will allocate the GST to the provinces, even though health care is a provincial responsibility ($40 billion is sent from the federal government to the provinces annually to cover health costs but the provinces have used this money inappropriately at times). The provinces must be solely responsible for health care to properly deliver this vital service as the Constitution states. Allocating the GST to the provinces will give them a stable source of revenue to deliver services.
