With voters headed to the polls on September 20, Doppler invited the Parry Sound-Muskoka candidates from the five main national parties to participate in a Q&A. Each day this week, we’ll be posting their replies in random order.
Today’s question: What part of your party’s platform do you believe is most critical as we emerge from this pandemic? How would you work with other parties to implement it?
People’s Party, Jim Tole
peoplespartyofcanada.ca/james_tole
As we emerge from the pandemic, getting people back to work in meaningful, well-paying, permanent jobs is critical. Freedom of speech and personal responsibility and less governmental intrusion into our lives is of utmost importance as well. More government intrusion into people’s lives mean less individual freedom.
Conservative Party, Scott Aitchison
conservativepsm.com
The whole platform is important: https://www.conservative.ca/plan/
We need to rebuild the economy, invest in Canadians, and secure Canada’s future. And we need to do it in a way that respects the environment, creates jobs, balances the budget, improves mental health, and protects the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
My style has always been to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others. I have tried to do that on several important files in our riding – affordable housing, summer camps, business supports, rural internet – to just name a few. I must confess the governing Liberals have shown no interest in helping me to assist my constituents on these issues. All I can do is keep reaching out.
Green Party, Marc Mantha
marcmantha.com
I’d like to suggest we can’t wait until we emerge from this pandemic…action now.
We have a plan. Mission:Possible is a detailed plan built around how “mitigating the climate crisis” will benefit the quality of life for all Canadians and Indigenous Communities. greenparty.ca/en/mission-possible
The plan was unveiled for the election in 2019. Only one thing has changed. We have to act NOW.
We will work together with a multi-party cabinet and our Indigenous communities to take this on.
You have a voice. Send a Green MP to Ottawa.
New Democratic Party, Heather Hay
parrysoundmuskoka.ndp.ca
The most critical part of the NDP’s platform is the comprehensive plan we have to tackle the climate emergency. COVID tragically made us aware that pandemic readiness is key to the defence of our national health and economy and reform of long-term care is desperately long overdue but we can’t be detoured from the environmental crisis we face. While it is important to work with the other parties to take the actions necessary to protect our environment for future generations, the priority has to be working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in a true nation-to-nation relationship. Trudeau bailed on his promise for clean water and bought a pipeline and the conservatives deny the climate crisis is real. We can’t afford to play politics while our planet burns. The NDP will show the leadership to cut emissions by more than half and meet the 1.5 degree target that scientists say is necessary to prevent catastrophe. We will create good paying jobs retrofitting buildings and investing in clean energy.
Liberal Party, Jovanie Nicoyishakiye
jovanienicoyishakiye.liberal.ca
Did not respond.
See the candidates’ answers to previous questions at the links below:
- Why do you believe you are the best candidate to represent Parry Sound-Muskoka?
- What skillset or experience would you bring to the table?
- What issue do you feel is of greatest importance for residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka in the immediate future and how will you work to address it?
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Hugh Holland says
I am more torn in this election than I have ever been in my 80 plus years. If our system would let me, I would vote Conservative at the local level, and Liberal at the national level.
At the local level, all candidates are saying good things and there are more commonalities than differences, but it seems Jovanie has been put in an impossible position. Scot is a known quantity. He is a fair-minded moderate and he has earned the position.
At the much more important national level, the PP is too far right, the Greens are disorganized, and the Block is not an option. Again, the other 3 parties are saying a lot of the same things with minor nuances. Its easy to be an armchair critic, but the now-experienced Liberal Ministers and their fair-minded leader have done as good a job as anyone could with a near-impossible set of issues over the past 5 years. Everyone has their own key issues, but I have more confidence that the Liberals can and will do what they say. In my view, the Liberals have the depth of experience and the most realistic platform. They offer the best possible future for everyone from coast to coast to coast.
Greg Reuvekamp says
Respectfully Mr Holland, if the Liberal candidate here is in an impossible situation, then it’s one that she volunteered for. Remember that just three weeks ago this person was vying to be the candidate for Don Valley East. Why did the Liberals offer her this riding as a consolation prize? Is there some reward or favour to be earned for “falling on a sword” here? Who were the local candidates put forward by the riding association, and why were they rejected? So many questions, it would be great if this “candidate” wasn’t purposely avoiding all media and contact with constituents here. I wonder why, as a Liberal supporter, this situation doesn’t give you more pause
BJ BOLTAUZER says
My 2 cents: the Liberal candidate has put us, the Liberal voters, into an impossible position.
Allison Walker says
This situation is indeed giving me pause. I am a strong Liberal supporter but I am yet to see or hear anything from the candidate in my area. Why is this? However, like I said, I am a Liberal supporter and I will be supporting the Liberal party because I don’t vote for the person, I vote for the platform.
Ray Ward says
What a dilemma for voters who are relying upon sound and reasoned data upon which to determine his or her vote.
Does the Liberal candidate have no response to any of the questions?
Let us hear from each of the campaign team speak to us in the manner of “what really matters” to us as Canadian citizens.
Nancy Long says
I’m in the same boat as Hugh Holland.
Arlene Anderson says
The liberal candidate just lost my vote. Complete unresponsiveness to legitimate questions from a respected source is unacceptable. It’s also very arrogant.
Derek Dobbs says
The federal Liberal Party has given up on Muskoka – Parry Sound. No election signs to be found anywhere as of September 10th in Huntsville nor Parry Sound. The Liberal candidate is invisible and mute. Not acceptable by any means.
Karen MacInnes says
I think it is a disgrace that the Liberal Party of Canada could not come up with a candidate for our riding. One that lives here and knows the area plus available for questions on the upcoming election.
Bruce Morrow says
I agree with comments above re absent and uninterested Liberal candidate. Someone should send her a Google map link to PSM so she would at least know where it is!
Hard to vote Liberal when they don’t even offer a viable candidate.
Brian Tapley says
I’m with Hugh, torn between a poor Conservative platform with a good local candidate and a slightly better Liberal platform with a terrible local candidate.
I’d like to say I vote for the best party and national platform, as it is a Federal election after all but then I am reminded that when I call my MP, it is nice to at least get an answer even if that MP’s party is not actually in the governing party.
I think, regardless of party lines, we can trust Scott to work hard and honestly toward both the local needs and whatever national party goals are set so in this case he stands out as perhaps the best choice.
Looking at all the signs at one particular intersection, I’m tempted to vote for “Mr, Frosty ice drink $2.95” as that candidate seems the most agreeable of them all.
Gloria Schimmel says
in trying to discover some info regarding the Liberal candidate I visited the Federal Liberal website for Ont and tried to search for this candidate and findout exactly who they are and how to contact this person. Tadaaaa! no mention of this person! sooooo. how may I make an informed decisiion. Guess it will be biased as I’m a bit lacking in info. too bad.