Chilliwack Votes: Question #2

The initiative Chilliwack Votes has been asking the six Chilliwack-Hope candidates a series of weekly questions about various issues in the lead-up to the October 19th federal election.  They have allowed us to post the candidates responses here.  Here is Question #2.

WHY DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH YOUR PARTY?

Thomas Cheney (Green Party)

I identify with the Green Party of Canada due to its commitment to sustainability and democratic governance. One important policy that caused me to support the Green Party is its climate policy.  Only the Green Party is proposing a medium-term phase out of fossil fuels and an economy-wide price on carbon. I am also attracted to the Green Party’s position on democratic reform including empowering MPs, instituting proportional representation and reducing the power of the Prime Minister’s Office.  On the economy, I like the Greens’ idea of taxing “bads” (pollution, junk food) to reduce taxes on “goods” such as income and profits. In my opinion, the Greens define progress right. We focus not only on the Gross Domestic Product, but also on other aspects of wellbeing such as family life, health and myriad of other non-economic factors which enhance our lives.

Louis De Jaeger (Liberal)

For me, good ideas are born from positions of varied political thinking. I’ve learned this from business to the boardroom. The Liberal Party of Canada is an inclusive party that works on behalf of all Canadians, not just for certain demographics or voter bases. We value relationships, and will often collaborate beyond party lines when that is the best way to overcome the serious challenges that face our economy, job growth, and job security. I identify with this approach to problem solving because my personal leadership style is rooted in communication and transparent process. The best outcomes are delivered when all are consulted, and we can work together on the major projects and investments our riding needs to address. An economy that works for the middle class means a country that works for everyone; and the Liberal platform is the only one to offer real solutions for our middle class families. Better is always possible.

Alexander Johnson (Libertarian)

I’ve always been a libertarian. I just never knew what it was called. Shortly after listening to a podcast that explained it to me I immediately knew where I was on the political spectrum. It wasn’t long after that I discovered the Libertarian Party of Canada and read over the platform. It resonated with me and I reached out and one thing lead to another and suddenly I was a candidate.
The platform of the Libertarian Party offers a true alternative for Canadians that is consistent with liberty. It’s main plan for a Federal Government is to steal a minimal amount of money in the form of taxes and provide less bureaucracy within the system. It wants to allow a family of 4 to have their first $42,600 of employment income be tax free. Not take it and then give it back, which just costs you money to do that redundant process. As our Party Leader Tim Moen said, we want “gay married couples to be able to protect their marijuana plants with guns”. We believe everyone has a right to liberty but you don’t have a right to take something from someone and give it another just because you think it’s right. We promote Education over Force. Oh, and we would immediately destroy the intrusive Bill C-51.
The beautiful thing about the Libertarian Party of Canada is that it is set to work within a socialized system and remove the fangs of Federal power from the Provinces allowing more control to flow back into the hands of the people, not steal it away with unaccountable promises that crumble like cake.

Seonaigh Macpherson (NDP)

I identify with the New Democrats because they promote fairness, equality, and responsible government. The NDP remain the only homegrown Canadian political party, born out of Western populism and later labour, civil rights, and environmental movements. Growing up in Ottawa, I witnessed first-hand the increasing arrogance and elitism of the Liberals despite my family’s close ties to the party. Later Conservative governments served large corporations rather than citizens. In contrast, the NDP continued to identify with and champion working and middle class Canadians.
My commitment as a New Democrat became stronger thanks to the moral and inspirational leadership of Jack Layton:
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
That’s a vision of politics and of Canada that I want to be a part of.

Dorothy-Jean O’Donnell (Marxist-Leninist)

I joined the Marxist-Leninists in 1973 after several years of youth activism against war and for social change. The MLPC has a programme which addresses key concerns of Canadians most importantly their wish to be able to take the decisions that affect their lives themselves. We have strongly stood in support of nation-to-nation relations with indigenous peoples, against Bill C-51 and for rights.  You can find our programme by visiting mlpc.ca

Mark Strahl (Conservative)

I believe that we need to keep taxes low, and that a dollar in your pocket is better than a dollar in the hands of the government; I believe that parents – not politicians, lobbyists or bureaucrats- are the real experts when it comes to child care; I believe that the rights of victims should come before the rights of criminals, and that we need tougher laws and mandatory jail sentences for serious crimes in order to keep our communities safe. I believe that we need strong, proven leadership to guide us through this period of global uncertainty, and that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is the only leader who can provide it.  ?All of these reasons and more are why I identify with the Conservative Party of Canada.

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