Parry Sound—Muskoka federal candidates on tariffs, collaboration, and closer ties with other countries

As people in the Parry Sound—Muskoka riding prepare to vote leading up to the April 28 federal election, we asked the candidates another round of three questions:

1. How do you think the people of Parry Sound-Muskoka can best prepare for the effects of trade tariffs?

2. Are you willing to work across the aisle on issues that require bipartisan collaboration for the betterment of your constituents?

3. What country, other than the U.S., would you like to see Canada have closer ties with? 

Below are their answers:

Conservative Party of Canada: Scott Aitchison (incumbent)

1. While we cannot control what chaos President Trump unleashes next, we can control what we do here at home. The best way Parry Sound-Muskoka can prepare for the unknown is to stand strong here and we can start with supporting local Parry Sound-Muskoka businesses. 

We can beat this global uncertainty by restoring the Canada we have lost over the last 9 years. A new Conservative government will lower taxes for the average Canadian by 15%, we will raise the personal exemption for seniors, letting them keep more of what they have earned, and finally, let tradespeople write off food, travel, and accommodation expenses so they can keep more of their paycheque. 

A resume is not a plan, and only a new Conservative government has a real plan to lower costs for workers, seniors, and families, build a strong and self-sufficient Canada, and restore the promise that Canada always used to offer, that a good job gets you an affordable home in a safe neighbourhood. That is our mission, and that is what a new Conservative government will deliver.

2. I will work across the aisle to advance policy that makes life better here in Parry Sound-Muskoka and protects our way of life. I have done this throughout my time in municipal leadership and continued to do so in Ottawa. 

I worked with Seamus O’Regan, the former Liberal Minister of Labour, to deliver 10 paid sick days to workers in federal industries and to extend bereavement leave to workers in federal industries who need time to grieve after the unimaginable loss of a child. 

As Mayor and District Councillor, I worked with everyone around the table and in the community to deliver on shared priorities, and I have taken the same approach to Ottawa. These policies have had a real impact in Parry Sound-Muskoka, and I worked across party lines to get the job done. 

But just because I am collaborative does not mean I sit idly by and let the Liberals continue to harm Parry Sound-Muskoka. I have loudly and proudly opposed the Carbon Tax at every opportunity, fought against Liberal inflationary spending that sent interest rates soaring, and have stood up for the law-abiding hunters and sport shooters in the community against the Liberal plan to confiscate their hunting rifles. 

I will continue to work across party lines to deliver results and protect our way of life here in Parry Sound-Muskoka. That is strong and proven local leadership.

3. CANADA. The Liberal government talked about removing inter-provincial trade barriers for 9 years and never got the job done. Now, Canada is drastically underprepared to face the insane trade policies of President Trump. Today, it is easier for small businesses in Parry Sound-Muskoka to sell their products in America than it is to sell their products in British Columbia or Quebec. Eliminating these barriers to trade inside Canada has been estimated to increase our GDP by as much as 5% – that is a huge increase that would be good for all Canadians! 

Pierre Poilievre and our Conservative team will bring together the Premiers to agree on removing as many trade barriers as possible across Canada and offer the Premiers a financial incentive to slash this red tape. 

A new Conservative government will also attract desperately needed doctors and nurses to our communities by creating a Blue Seal Professional Licensing Standard recognized in each province so doctors and nurses can work anywhere in Canada. Parry Sound-Muskoka is the best place in the country, and doctors and nurses want to move here, but red tape and bureaucracy make that impossible. The Blue Seal Professional Licensing Standard will remove that red tape and make it easier for Parry Sound-Muskoka to attract these heroes to our communities. 

Free trade in Canada will not be enough to displace the U.S. market, but removing trade barriers in our own country will help bring home more business and make Canada less dependent on forces and countries outside of our control. We must take back control of our lives and country. That means a new Conservative government that puts you and our home first.

Liberal Party of Canada: Geordie Sabbagh

1. Trade tariffs hit close to home—my own business has relied heavily on the U.S., so I’m trying to prepare and pivot like everyone else. Families and businesses across our region will be affected in different ways. That’s why we need leadership that understands the real impact from real-world experience and someone like Mark Carney to guide the country through tough times and not make it worse. 

Locally, the best thing we can do is start thinking about how to buy and sell more right here in Canada — and find new places to do business beyond the U.S. I’ve already seen some local companies here in Muskoka get new business from Europe just because people want to support Canada. That’s the kind of opportunity we should be pushing.

Much of my business is done with other countries and provinces, so I know the complexities small businesses face I’ve talked with a lot of small business owners lately, and one thing is clear — they want fair access to the programs that will help create new opportunities. Ottawa still sees us as “cottage country,” and we are not getting the attention we deserve. We need to have a seat at the table, not opposite it, to make our voices heard and ensure the unique needs of Parry Sound-Muskoka are always part of the discussion. 

And for families? It comes down to everyday choices. My wife and I use some of the great apps to Buy Canadian, but also respect that some US chains invest heavenly in Canada and employ a lot of people, including here in Parry Sound- Muskoka, so we are trying to find a balance.

2. Absolutely. These are unique times that call for Canadian Unity. It is not a time for partisanship, and there is no room for putting party politics above the needs of the country.

I’ll work with anyone—across the aisle, across party lines, across every town council and community board—to make life better for people here. That includes collaborating with municipal leaders, provincial representatives like Graydon Smith, and every organization fighting to make Parry Sound–Muskoka stronger.

This is more than politics for me. These are my neighbours, my friends, and my family. We need to get back to putting our community ahead of our party—and I’m committed to that.

3. We need to expand our trade and strategic relationships beyond the U.S., especially now.

Countries like the UK, EU members, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea offer real opportunities. Canada should step into the global space the U.S. is stepping back from—not just economically, but diplomatically. We can lead in clean tech, cultural exports, and democratic values. Mark Carney’s global reputation and experience will give us the opportunity to lean into those relationships and create even closer ties and alliances.  

This is not new to me. I’ve created multiple productions with partners from other provinces and countries and sold films and series to 35 countries and counting. With my international experience and understanding of global markets, I’m well-positioned to champion stronger ties that benefit our local businesses, our workers, and our place on the world stage.

People’s Party of Canada: Isabel Pereira

1. We can buy local to support local businesses as much as possible as well as encourage local businesses to source their products from within Canada. This support includes the removal of inter-provincial trade barriers.  Freeing our economy from these inter-provincial trade barriers would help families and businesses in Parry Sound-Muskoka and across Canada. It would also increase competition, raise productivity, and unite our country, while reducing our dependence on the American market. From an economic point of view, inter-provincial barriers have the same effect as customs tariffs imposed on imports from other countries resulting in higher prices for goods and services. According to a Statistics Canada study, the level of trade within Canada corresponds to what would be expected if each province imposed a 7% tariff on “imports” of goods and services from other provinces.

2. Yes, I will always put the betterment of the constituents of Parry Sound-Muskoka first. I will support any bill that aligns with the wishes of my constituents regardless of the party that introduces the bill.

As an example, I support Bill C-368 (natural health products), a Private Member’s Bill introduced by the Conservative Party. This bill repeals sections 500-504 of the Budget Implementation Act, 2023 (Bill C-47), which reclassified natural health products into the therapeutic products category, alongside chemical drugs.  Bill C-368 will reverse the changes made by Bill C-47.  Bill C-368 will ensure that Canadians have continued access to natural health products including supplements and vitamins.

3. I would like to see Canada strengthen ties with our existing trading partners including the European Union countries, China, Mexico, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Australia, and India. By diversifying our trade relations with as many other countries as possible we are less dependent on US markets and will be less affected by the U.S. tariffs.

New Democratic Party: Heather Hay

1. The best way for people in Parry Sound-Muskoka to prepare for the effects of trade tariffs is to support local businesses so money stays in our community as part of the NDP’s Build Canadian Buy Canadian strategy.  This includes investing in public infrastructure now to keep workers working – building homes, an East-West energy grid, hospitals, highways and bridges – diversifying trade relationships and incentivizing and supporting more value-added manufacturing in Canada.

2. I am willing to work with anyone who is committed to the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the 231 calls for justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry, supporting workers’ rights, protecting the planet and taxing the rich.  In a review of the major party platforms only the NDP is committed to taxing the 1% to pay their share.

3. There are many other countries that are impacted by the tariffs and whose economies are also reeling from the realignment in the current world order.  Trade is a relationship not just a financial transaction and our security will depend on the connections we establish with as many countries as possible.  It will take global cooperation to challenge the oligarchs who are intent on destroying democracy and the planet for the accumulation of even more wealth, power and control instead of creating abundance for all. 

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