WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS – 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.
Michael Chong, Conservative Party of Canada
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
I grew up in Wellington County, just outside of Fergus, where I continue to live with my wife Carrie Davidson and our three boys. I worked on a local farm for five years while going to high school in Fergus. After getting my education, I worked in the private sector, and became the chief information officer for the National Hockey League Players’ Association. I also co-founded Historica Canada and sit on its board of governors. We produce the Heritage Minutes. I understand the people and communities of Wellington County. I’m running to give them a strong voice in Ottawa.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
Andrew Scheer is in politics to put hardworking families first. A husband and father of five children, Andrew knows both the joys and the challenges of raising a young family in Canada today. Andrew has parliamentary experience. First elected in 2004, he became Speaker of the House of Commons in 2011 – the youngest parliamentarian ever in that position. Andrew is focused on helping hardworking families with lower taxes, controlled government spending and an economic plan that creates prosperity and opportunity all Canadians. Andrew Scheer grew up in Ontario and is fluently bilingual.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
I consistently hear from constituents that life is getting less and less affordable. Families are under pressure and worried about their future. Half of families are just $200 away from insolvency at the end of each month and Canadians’ net worth declined for the first time in a decade. Conservatives have a plan to leave more money in your pocket at the end of each month, by cutting taxes for every working Canadian with the Universal Tax Cut; supporting commuters with the Green Public Transit Tax Credit; and supporting young families by making EI maternity benefits tax-free.
Ralph Martin, Green Party of Canada
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
Ralph Martin grew up on his family farm in Wallenstein in Wellington County. He has been a truck driver, bus driver, insurance agent and scientist. He is a professor and a successful leader as the founding director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, and chair, sustainable food production, University of Guelph. Ralph is a proud father and gives back to his community. He is running to put his constituents first and vote for this riding in Parliament, to support sound fiscal management and to address the challenges of a changing climate, species loss and pollution.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
Elizabeth May has the most experience as a national party leader. She helped negotiate new legislation, including the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer.
Elizabeth was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005 and one of the world’s leading female environmentalists by the United Nations in 2006. Respected across party lines, Elizabeth was chosen by her fellow MPs as: Parliamentarian of the Year 2012, Hardest Working MP 2013 and Best Orator 2014. Hill Times recognized her as the Hardest Working MP, Best Constituency MP, and Best Public Speaker in both 2013 and 2014.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
Ecological resilience is critical in this riding because our social and economic health depend on healthy soil and clean water and air. There are opportunities for farmers and landowners to be rewarded for sequestering carbon, thus improving soil and helping to filter water. We can also protect farmland. Jobs will be created by retrofitting buildings and thus reducing heating costs and then greenhouse gas emissions. Legislation is needed to protect water as a public trust for local citizens. Our children deserve a future where the fundamentals of a healthy environment support their economic and social prosperity.
Lesley Barron, Liberal Party
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
As a surgeon in Georgetown, I see the health effects of poverty and money worries, lack of affordable housing, mental health, and other issues that affect people’s wellbeing. As a mother of three children, climate change and its effects on our country make me passionate about the environment we are creating for them. I’m running under the Liberal banner because I know that the party’s policies have made Canadians healthier and more prosperous and those policies line up with my values as a parent and a healer. I also want more effective representation for the residents of Wellington-Halton Hills.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
Justin Trudeau’s record as prime minister is clear: the economy has grown impressively, as have the number of jobs. Measures like the enhanced Canada Child Benefit have lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. Critical local infrastructure has been financed. Real, science-based action on climate change has been taken. Progress has been made on supporting Indigenous people. Our international reputation is one of stability and positive growth. Those and other achievements didn’t happen on their own, but needed the judgement and political will of Trudeau and his team, an expertise that will continue beyond this election.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
Our riding is a mix of small-town and rural communities, and vitality in our agricultural sector is important to our region’s success. Liberals supported our farming sector while negotiating international trade, they are investing in reliable broadband for rural areas, and have contributed to crucial local road and bridge infrastructure. Recognizing the housing pressures faced by many, including our constituents, Liberals introduced the first Canadian Housing Strategy and are providing help to first time home buyers. Finally, our government, like no other, is fighting climate change while minimizing the impact on Canadians, whether to their wallets or their properties.
Andrew Bascombe, New Democratic Party
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
Integrity, service, and hard work are the values that motivated me to run. There needs to be a shift from the type of politics we presently find ourselves engaged in. I’m looking for a government that does what is says, is truly accountable to its people (not its party first) and can speak the truth when asked the tough questions (if the media is willing to ask). I’m also running to remind people that our first responsibility is to them and making life better for them regardless of which party is in power.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
My party’s leader would make a good prime minister because he is not like anyone that has come before in terms of privilege, connectivity to the wealthy, and big business. Jagmeet Singh represents the idea of Canada as a place where we welcome and celebrate the wide range of people who call Canada home. It is a place where freedom, equality and the rule of law are the foundation of who we are as Canadians. Jagmeet also gives us hope that change is possible and that as a country we are ready to embrace the diversity of our Canadian identity.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
The most important issue, as I see it, is the environment – in the broadest sense of the word. The political environment in which our representatives work must be focused on working towards all Canadians’ best interests, respect for the rule of law, and understanding what governance means. Our daily environment must be affordable. As the cost of living continues to rise, we must place a priority on housing, medical care and jobs for our present/future generations. And of course the environmental crisis of climate change is the most pressing issue of this or any generation requiring definitive action.
Sylvain Carle, People’s Party of Canada
- Please provide a brief bio. Why are you are running?
I am currently a resident of Georgetown and a former resident of Erin and Arthur. My wife Lara and I are invested in the need to protect our country’s founding values for future generations and our six children. I retired from the RCMP in 2008 where I served in very diverse, high profile areas of law enforcement. I have since been involved in construction, property management and real estate. The continuous scandals of the federal government bring me much disappointment and I know my principled approach can offer better service. I will represent you fairly by regularly consulting with constituents.
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Why would your party’s leader make a good prime minister?
Maxime Bernier is known as a dependable politician who speaks his mind. A man of ideas, his belief in personal responsibility and freedom are at the heart of his political vision. He often expresses those values and his unwavering commitment to reducing the size of government.
Maxime served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism. Maxime has the experience to lead Canada. In just a year of our party’s existence, he assembled a group of dedicated Canadians to return integrity to government.
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What, in your opinion, is the most important issue for local constituents in this election?
Cost of living, housing affordability are recurring topics while canvassing. Students, low income families and seniors alike all share serious concerns with making ends meet while big corporations seem to endlessly benefit from their government’s largess with their money or get a pass on criminality. While the environment we live in is ranking high in priority, caring for our environment doesn’t have to be an either or; the cost of living must remain affordable. Abandoning corporate bailouts and supply management, reducing the size of government and the inflation benchmark to 0% will make life more affordable and maintain purchasing power.
