For the first time in over a decade, Chatham-Kent-Leamington will have a new face representing the riding at Parliament Hill.
MP Dave Van Kesteren was first elected in the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding in 2006 but he announced his intention to retire in 2018. Now, the riding is up for grabs and a handful of candidates are vying for the position.
Those campaigning in Chatham-Kent-Leamington include Conservative Party candidate Dave Epp, Liberal Party candidate Katie Omstead, New Democratic Party candidate Tony Walsh, Green Party candidate Mark Vercouteren, People's Party candidate John Balagtas, and Marijuana Party candidate Paul Coulbeck.
Election day is on October 21, however, voters can also cast their ballot in the advance polls. Advance voting is scheduled to take place from October 11 until October 14. Residents can find out where they are supposed to vote by clicking here.
Residents within the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding interested in learning more about local candidates may read about them below. Blackburn News will also broadcast an all-candidates roundtable discussion on Country 92.9 FM / 630 AM on Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m.
Conservative Party of Canada candidate - Dave Epp
(Photo courtesy of David Epp campaign).
As a third-generation farmer, Dave Epp is promising to bring a rural touch to Ottawa, if elected.
Epp was given the Conservative nod in November of 2018, at which time, he made a few promises to local residents.
“The first promise I made was to represent this whole riding,” said Epp. “The second promise I made, and my top priority, will be to listen. I was speaking to the Conservatives, but I am going to extend that pledge now to everyone living here. When I am in Ottawa that will be my intent.”
Epp had also previously told Blackburn News, that with his agricultural background, he intends to bring that experience to Ottawa and push the industry as an economic driver.
The Conservative Party of Canada is being led by MP Andrew Scheer. According to their official website, the Conservatives plan to introduce a universal tax cut which aims to lower the tax rate for residents who fall under the lowest-income tax bracket (under $47,630), they also plan to make maternity leave tax free, and provide tax credits for kids' activities.
Liberal Party of Canada candidate - Katie Omstead
(Photo courtesy of Katie Omstead campaign).
The elementary school teacher received the Liberal nod in December of 2018.
Katie Omstead describes herself as a community advocate who dedicates her time fighting for human rights and poverty reduction. If elected on October 21, Omstead said she plans to stand up for veterans, seniors, and youth members within the riding.
“I am committed to continuing to listen, learn and work hard to ensure that good-paying jobs anchor young people to their communities, seniors are treated with dignity, veterans are respected and community members have access to physical and mental health services,” she said.
Omstead is no stranger to the campaign trail, she also ran in the 2015 federal election. She was narrowly defeated, losing by just four per cent of the riding vote to Conservative incumbent Dave Van Kesteren.
The Liberal Party of Canada is being led by incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. According to the Liberals' official website, they plan on making after-school programs more affordable for families, helping first-time homebuyers by creating an incentive of up to 10 per cent off the purchase price of a home that is $789,000 or less, and supporting entrepreneurs by cutting the small business tax rate.
New Democratic Party of Canada candidate - Tony Walsh
(Photo courtesy of Tony Walsh campaign).
Tony Walsh is also a returning candidate who ran in the 2015 federal election.
As a father of three who works as an investment consultant at CIBC, Walsh said most families want to be able to count on basic supports such as good health care, a good-paying job, a home, and the ability to one day retire without the fear of going broke.
Walsh stepped up as the NDP candidate for the riding in August 2019.
In terms of environmental concerns, Walsh said if elected, he plans to bring attention to issues surround erosion along the Lake Erie shoreline and road closures resulting from that issue.
“We simply can’t close down roads and divert traffic, we need sustainable plans that are looking after our shorelines,” said Walsh.
The New Democratic Party of Canada is being led by MP Jagmeet Singh. According to the NDP's official website, their plans include implementing a pharmacare system, putting a cap on tuition fees as a step towards eventually making post-secondary education part of the public education system, and building more affordable housing.
Green Party of Canada candidate - Mark Vercouteren
(Photo courtesy of Mark Vercouteren campaign).
Fresh off of the 2018 provincial election campaign trail, Mark Vercouteren is once again representing the green party's values.
Vercouteren was announced as the Green Party candidate in May 2019. Some of the local issues, Vercouteren looks to tackle, if elected, revolve around flooding, promoting local food and self-sustainability, as well as looking into energy-saving projects.
“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,” said Vercouteren.
The Green Party of Canada is being led by MP Elizabeth May. The Green Party's platform consists of addressing climate change by cutting carbon emissions, cancelling the Trans Mountain pipeline, and renewing the National Forest Registry. The 2019 platform also includes the reconciliation of Indigenous Peoples by developing a national strategy for housing and clean water.
People's Party of Canada candidate - John Balagtas
John Balagtas (Photo courtesy of the PPC).
As a candidate for a relatively new party, John Balagtas said he's looking to ensure Chatham-Kent-Leamington gets an equal "slice of the pie" in comparison to other areas within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Balagtas moved to Kent Bridge from the GTA a few years ago and said he's noticed a difference when it comes to government funding in rural and urban areas.
"I noticed that in Chatham-Kent-Leamington... progress is slow," he said. "Unemployment is still high, services for residents are pretty much non-existent ."
Balagtas said if elected this fall, addressing unemployment would be high on the priority list as it may also solve other issues.
"Unemployment -- I believe -- is the reason why there's a big opioid crisis happening in Southwestern Ontario, I believe it is also the reason there is a high rate of child poverty in Southwestern Ontario and lots of others issue that is plaguing the riding."
Balagtas said he got involved in the federal election in an effort to make a difference and help residents make their concerns heard. As for why he chose to run for the People's Party, Balagtas said he felt a connection with their values.
"I was drawn in with their platform in regards to protecting Canadian values, Canadian free speech, and protecting the Canadian way of life," he said.
The People's Party of Canada is being led by MP Maxime Bernier, a former Conservative member who started his own party in 2018. The People's Party platform includes allowing Canada's oil and gas industry to grow, restructuring the refugee policy, and "rejecting alarmism" in regards to global warming.
Marijuana Party - Paul Coulbeck
The Marijuana Party is being led by Blair T. Longley. According to Paul Coulbeck's website, the aim is to promote cannabis for economic strength, get rid of personal income taxes, and ensure that marijuana doesn't get put back on the banned substances list. A link to the official Marijuana Party's website can be found by clicking, here.