The candidates vying to represent Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong in parliament this upcoming federal election gathered at the Dante Club last night to answer voters’ questions on a variety of topics.
The event was hosted by the Sarnia Chamber of Commerce and the Sarnia-Lambton Association of Realtors, and gave the candidates a chance to share their parties’ platforms and make their case for how they would best represent Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong.
All of the candidates were present: Marilyn Gladu (Conservative Party of Canada), Lo-Anne Chan (New Democratic Party), Tony Mitchell (Parti Rhinoceros Party), Jacques Boudreau (Libertarian Party of Canada), George Vandenberg (Liberal Party of Canada), Brian Everaert (People’s Party of Canada), and Mark Lamore (Christian Heritage Party of Canada).
Candidates were given the chance to make opening remarks and then took turns answering five preselected questions on the topics of small business and the local economy, access to affordable housing, trade negotiations with the U.S., health care, and balancing action on climate change with economic growth. Candidates then made closing remarks to wrap up the hour-and-a-half event.
Marilyn Gladu’s opening message was that Conservatives would cut taxes across the board, be tough on crime, and invest in the military. Throughout her responses, Gladu talked about growing the GDP by cutting taxes and regulatory burdens to unleash Canadian industry and natural resources. She suggested that selling Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a way to reduce global carbon emissions. “What we need to do is build, build, build. Build LNG facilities, pipelines,” she said. “Get Canada prosperous, and get us resilient and independent.”
Lo-Anne Chan, in her opening remarks, talked about the various communities that she has connected with in Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong, including farmers, unions, the francophone community, and Anishinaabe. She emphasized that the NDP is a people first party. In her responses, Chan talked about diversifying our international partners, preparing for a transition to a clean energy economy, and recognizing the value of all people as members of our communities. Chan said the NDP has a plan “making sure that we have jobs here, taking care of the people, whether they’re born here, whether they’re Indigenous, whether they’re immigrants. We will take care of you.”
Tony Mitchell provided a great deal of levity to the evening’s proceedings in every one of his responses with his jokes and absurd solutions. He suggested that the best way to fight the Trump administration’s threats to Canada would be to parachute hundreds of thousands of drag queens with children’s books into the U.S.. His primary message was that it is incumbent on all of us to exercise our right to vote. Those who do not have faith in any of the other parties can still have their voices heard and make clear their dissatisfaction by voting for the Rhinoceros Party. He said, “If you think politics is a joke, and Parliament is a circus, vote for the clown.”
Jacques Boudreau, the leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada, talked about reducing taxes, central planning, and regulation, and respecting the sanctity of private property rights. In all of his responses he suggested that the government needs to get out of the way and that a market freed from regulatory burdens will provide prosperity and solutions. For example, Boudreau believes environmental protection can be achieved through the tort system of civil liability. “To injure somebody else’s land or property, you have to pay,” he said.
George Vandenberg, the Sarnia city councillor, running for the Liberal Party of Canada, said that as a Member of Parliament, he would ensure that Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong gets its share of planned Liberal spending to support workers, businesses, agriculture, the petrochemical industry, infrastructure, and housing. He touted Canada’s resilience through the pandemic, global recession, and climate emergencies, and said that Mark Carney and the Liberals will continue to provide the leadership Canada needs. “We’re in about the top 3 nations in the G20 for social progress, equal opportunity, justice, and economic freedom,” he said. “So don’t believe the rhetoric. Canada has a record to be proud of.”
Brian Everaert of the People’s Party of Canada emphasized his party’s commitment to individual liberty and personal responsibility, and echoed points made by Mr. Boudreau about cutting taxes, reducing government red tape, overreach, and regulation, and allowing “the private sector to dictate what goes on.” Everaert believes we should focus on negotiating with the Trump administration instead of retaliating and that Canada should follow their lead and withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. He also suggested the housing crisis can be addressed by putting "a moratorium on immigration for at least two years.”
Mark Lamore of the Christian Heritage Party added another voice in opposition to government bureaucracy and overreach. Lamore expressed concern over the possibility of the government revoking the tax exempt status of churches. He made implications about the influence of China and the World Economic Forum, and decried the measures taken by the Liberal government to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19.
Links to websites and contact information for each candidate is available on Elections Canada’s Voter Information Service site.
Election day is April 28.
Advance polling stations will be open April 18-21. The deadline to apply to vote by mail is April 22.