A man from Chatham-Kent is once again hoping to promote green values by getting involved in politics, however, this time it's federal.
Mark Vercouteren, who ran in the 2018 provincial election as a Green Party of Ontario candidate, is now running in the upcoming federal election as a candidate for the Green Party of Canada.
Vercouteren -- who worked alongside farmers as a teenager -- said he believes in the Green Party's values, which is why he is once again throwing his hat into the political race.
"I do believe in the Green Party's platform and the Green Party government," said Vercouteren. "I do believe the Green Party has the best ideas going forward as we're facing a new future, particularly we have to deal with the upcoming challenges that climate change is bringing to us more and more each year."
According to a media release sent by Vercouteren's campaign team, he ran as a candidate for the Green Party of Ontario in three previous elections and for the Green Party of Canada in 2015. The platform Vercouteren will campaign on during the fall federal election will be similar to the one he ran last year during the provincial election.
"Obviously it will be adapted to the needs of the federal government," he said. "But the Green Party [of Canada] does have similar values, similar ideas, and similar goals."
Some of the topics Vercouteren looks to tackle with his platform revolve around flooding, promoting local food and self-sustainability, as well as looking into energy-saving projects.
Other candidates running in the upcoming federal election include Katie Omstead as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate and Dave Epp as the Conservative Party candidate. The New Democratic Party has yet to announce a candidate for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding.
The federal election will take place in October 2019.