Bow River riding candidates speak out

By Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean Times Contributor

Six federal political parties are being represented in the Bow River riding in this fall’s federal election.
In total, there are 2,146 candidates running in the election, across Canada’s 338 electoral districts.
The Strathmore Times presented opportunity for all Bow River Riding candidates to respond to a set list of questions in advance of the election on Oct. 21.

Tom Ikert
People’s Party of Canada (PPC)
Why are you running for the PPC?
Because there is no conservative party left. They’ve all moved into the middle, all pandering to the same group of people, they’re afraid to make the decisions that need to be made on behalf of the country. They’re afraid to stand up for people. I’m running because I believe we need someone to stand up for the residents of Bow River and I don’t believe it’s happening.
What do you think will be the top three most beneficial policies for the people of Bow River?
1. Renegotiating equalization.
2. Balancing the budget in two years.
3. Our tax policy: zero per cent for up to $15,000 earners; 20 per cent for $15,001-$100,000 earners; 25 per cent for over $100,000 earners; a 25 per cent flat tax corporate tax cut to 10 per cent.
The People’s Party is a Reform Party revival. Almost 80 per cent of the party policies are Reform policies. We need strong leadership from someone who didn’t just hop into politics with no life experience. We need someone to stand up for the people of Bow River.
What is something you would like to accomplish over the next four years if you are elected?
To get rid of the $20 billion debt, you have to cut.
Defunding the CBC would be high on my priority list.
Is there anything in particular you would advocate for that isn’t part of your party’s platform?
I really believe that in order for Alberta to remain whole, we need a triple E senate, elected, equal and effective; even if we get a government that is pro Alberta, they don’t stay in government forever. We need to be able to rely on Senate to work for us. You have to have checks and balances and we don’t have that right now.

Tom Lipp
Christian Heritage Party of Canada (CHP)
Why are you running for the CHP?
CHP represents the best underlying values for good governance. I think the mainstream parties will not have the internal strength to return our country to what made it glorious and free in the past.
What do you think will be the top three most beneficial policies for the people of Bow River?
1. Freedom: defend free speech, freedom of religion and conscience, for every Canadian.
2. Family: promote the legal definition of marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that sex and gender are binary; we have to treat everyone with two guiding principles, love and truth.
3. Life: perhaps the most important part of the platform of the CHP is the protection of innocent life from conception to death; we would like to replace abortion with adoption. There’s always going to be unwanted pregnancies, but do you choose death or choose life? We at the CHP feel choosing life is a win.
What is something you would like to accomplish over the next four years if you are elected?
As a financial planner and accountant, I would like to improve the business environment for small business (and) family business and encourage entrepreneurship, and greatly simplify the income tax act.
Is there anything in particular you would advocate for that isn’t part of your party’s platform?
I would like to see increased property rights. The RCMP should be the second line of defense, not the first line of defense against intruders.
I’d like to help the family farm and not hinder it. I think eastern Canada needs a bit of a wakeup call on this.
Renegotiate equalization payments – we’ve been greatly subsidizing Quebec.
Just like the railway united Canada in the 1870s, we should encourage east-west pipelines; Quebec should be required to take our oil if we’re required to take their milk and interprovincial trade barriers should be eliminated.

Lynn MacWilliam
New Democratic Party (NDP)
Why are you running for the NDP?
I strongly believe in the values of the NDP. If you read the NDP platform, you will find that the policies are for everyday people and not just large corporations or the wealthy. I’m “in it for you.”
What do you think will be the top three most beneficial policies for the people of Bow River?
1. The expansion of our healthcare system to include pharmacare, dentacare and, eventually, visioncare. This expansion will benefit every Canadian.
2. Climate change is real, and we have to put in place science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets. Under an NDP government, Canada will become a trailblazer in energy efficiency, clean technologies and renewable energy use. This initiative will create 300,000 good-paying jobs across the country, provide training and re-training so everybody can benefit from the new, green economy.
3. Trade is important to this riding, but it must be fair trade that includes protection for workers, environmental protections and human rights.
What is something you would like to accomplish over the next four years if you are elected?
I would like to see a thriving economy, a well-educated work force and people understanding that a green economy is the way to go.
Is there anything in particular you would advocate for that isn’t part of your party’s platform?
I would like to see a commuter train between Medicine Hat and Calgary. When I ran for Bassano town council in 2013, this was something that I proposed.
This would allow people to leave Calgary and live in small, beautiful communities like Bassano and not have to drive 1½ hours to get to their employment. Commuters would have a relaxing trip to and from, and then return to a lovely, relaxing community at the end of the day.

Margaret Rhemtulla
Liberal Party of Canada
Why are you running for the Liberal party?
I believe in an inclusive and diverse Canada which is a leader on the world stage. Throughout Canadian history, the Liberal Party of Canada has always been the party driving progress both domestically and abroad, including national health care, peacekeeping, and the charter of rights and freedoms.
What do you think will be the top three most beneficial policies for the people of Bow River?
The Canada Child benefit, introduced by the Liberal government, benefits over 28,000 children in Bow River alone. This has been instrumental to cutting child poverty across Alberta in half since 2015. Additionally, the middle-class tax cut which cut taxes from 22 per cent to 20.5 per cent for those making between $45,000 and $90,000, and the small business tax cut from 11 to nine per cent continue to help grow our economy and strengthen our middle class here in the riding.
What is something you would like to accomplish over the next four years if you are elected?
I believe that Canada should continue the progress that has been made to re-establish ourselves as a true leader on the world stage. Under the Harper Conservatives, we saw Canada take a step back from our traditional role as an honest broker and peacemaker, and I am very happy to see the progress that has been made under our Liberal government to recover our standing.
Is there anything in particular you would advocate for that isn’t part of your party’s platform?
I believe that Canada should continue to push for further leadership within the United Nations. While the Liberal Party of Canada has elevated our engagement on the world stage, I believe more should be done in this regard and I would push to put that on our government’s agenda.

Martin Shields
Conservative Party of Canada (CPC)
Why are you running for the CPC?
I accepted the nomination to stand for re-election. I believe that lots of people and industries in the riding have the same views as myself and the party. The top priorities that align with those views are niche businesses and agriculture, and the economy of Bow River is less red tape for businesses and less tax.
What do you think will be the top three most beneficial policies for the people of Bow River?
1. No carbon tax.
2. Support for the resources sector and getting pipelines built.
3. Immigration.
What is something you would like to accomplish over the next four years if you are elected?
To focus what is being done in Canada with regard to protecting our water from invasive species like mussels. There will be significant costs, especially to municipalities, if it is not addressed soon.
Environmental issues are top of mind for the agriculture sector, and their innovative ideas and practices should be recognized. The industry is doing amazing things in terms of conservation and efficiency. I want to focus on how to export that knowledge and those skills to the rest of the world. In 2017 I tabled a private member’s bill to the House to acknowledge the work Canadian farmers have done and continue to do for sustainability and environmental protection.
Is there anything in particular you would advocate for that isn’t part of your party’s platform?
Ensuring high speed internet is available to all is a high priority. It doesn’t stop at the last community; it needs to be available to the last farm gate. Farming nowadays is highly computerized and everyone, no matter where they live, needs reliable access.

Hendrika Maria Tuithof de Jonge
Green Party of Canada
The Green Party candidate did not respond by press time.

To vote in a federal election, you must be registered on the list of electors.
You can register at the polls when you go to vote, but if you’re registered before the election, you should have received a voter information card in the mail that tells you where and when you can vote.
You can register before you go to vote by visiting https://ereg.elections.ca/CWelcome.aspx?lang=e and registering before Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.; or by visiting your Elections Canada office before 6 p.m. on Oct. 15.
You can also register when you go to vote at your assigned polling station either on election day, Oct. 21, or on advance polling days, Oct. 11, 12, 13 or 14.