A Goderich resident has launched his bid to become the Liberal candidate in Huron-Bruce for the upcoming 2019 federal election.
Allan Thompson announced his intentions on Monday.
Thompson, a native of Glammis in Bruce County, previously ran for the MP position in 2015, losing out to the Conservatives in a tight race within the riding.
He says he is back in the running for one main reason.
"Huron-Bruce needs a stronger voice in Ottawa, and I would basically like to make it my mission to stand up in Ottawa for people who live in rural communities," he says.
Thompson says he thinks it's a mistake for the Conservatives to think they are the sole voice for rural Canadians.
"I don't think anyone should accept that from a political party, there's no political party that has a monopoly on rural values. There are people of all political stripes in this riding, and I think the Conservatives do take this riding for granted," says Thompson.
When asked about the current political climate compared to when he last ran in 2015, Thompson says that the Liberal party's opponents are running using fear-based politics, which he doesn't agree with.
"I think our political opponents have made it clear that they are going to use the politics of fear, and division, and turning people against each other and identity politics. I just think we have to rise above that," he says.
Thompson notes that he would like to address rural economic issues, mental health and drug addiction and overall health care concerns in the riding. He is hosting a public pig roast this Wednesday at his Goderich home.
For more, here is the full-length interview with Allan Thompson, conducted by CKNX's Steve Sabourin:
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