CKDR News continues to take an in-depth look at the Federal candidates running in the Kenora riding.
Today we focus on Independent candidate Kelvin Boucher-Chicago.
He readily admits this isn’t his first kick at the can.
“This is my third time (running), My first two (campaigns) were more of an introduction. I had to see how the other parties were represented and how they were articulating themselves into getting elected.”
Boucher-Chicago says one of the reason’s he is running is to bring truth to the process.
“One of the things I’ve noticed is that a lot of them (other candidates and politicians) make promises. In my book, if you don’t come through with your promise you’re lying, you’re lying to the people.”
He says his goal is to buy out “Indian” status cards.
“I’m not lying to the people, I’m just telling them the truth. If you send me to Ottawa, you’re going to save a lot of money. It’s going to be an overnight economy, boom, for all the business people and everyone within the region if my plan goes through.”
He says status cards should be bought out for $80,000 over four years, and that money will go into the Canadian economy.
Boucher-Chicago, who lives in Kenora, is 54-years-old and calls himself an “entrepreneurial” jack of all trades.
Indigenous issues, growing the regional economy, job security, cutting taxes and protecting the environment.
Just some of the topics discussed last night (Tuesday) at an All-Candidates Forum in Sioux Lookout.
Five of the six candidates debated both national and local issues, while promoting their platforms when responding to questions.
Liberal Bob Nault focused on the theme “Experience Matters.”
“I have delivered and/or made serious progress on every commitment I made in the last election. So experience matters when it comes to delivering for our communities.”
Nault says “in the last four years alone, we have made historic investments of almost $2-billion in our riding. We’ve made significant progress across the board.”
However, he notes they are still far behind, pointing to cuts made by the former Harper government.
Nault adds he will be running on a local platform as well as national priorities.
He also took time to attack the Scheer government, stressing their platform and the associated costs still hasn’t been released.
“So we don’t know what kind of cuts we will get. And we will get some. Absolutely, it’s been told by the candidate tonight that we will get cuts. I would just like to know what they are.”
Conservative candidate Eric Mellilo says he’s committed to delivering investments, critical infrastructure and critical programs for our riding.
“And as part of a responsible Conservative government, we will be one which lives within our means (and) puts more money in your pocket.”
Mellilo adds under a Trudeau government, 80% of middle class Canadians are actually paying more in taxes.
He says he doesn’t want to be part of a government that is responsible for robbing future generations of their public services.
Mellilo adds the Conservatives will look at a measured approach to reduce spending and make sure that all new federal spending is found through cost savings within the government and balance the budget in five years time.
He adds one move will be a cut of $1.5-billion in corporate welfare to wealthy companies.
Mellilo highlighted on several occasions that it’s time for a new generation of leadership.
Rudy Turtle of the NDP stressed the need for change.
“We’ve had both Liberal and Conservative governments in Ottawa who haven’t lived up to their promises. They haven’t worked for you but they have been working around the clock for the big corporations and big companies.”
Turtle stresses “I am ready to work hard for our area. I am ready to fight to make life more affordable. Improve the public services we all need. Bring in universal pharmacare and take strong action on issues we are all facing.”
He notes he’s covered the entire riding and people tell him every day him that life is getting more and more expensive and wages aren’t keeping up.
Turtle says the feeling is that the very richest and the biggest corporations should pay more.
Turtle adds “the New Democrats are in it for you”, noting he will fight for all constituents when in Ottawa.
Kirsi Ralko of the Green’s agrees with an earlier comment that this a time for a new generation of leadership.
However, she notes “experience matters and by voting for me you can vote for someone with a breath of experience in law, as a business owner and in government as a local politician.”
Ralko says “The Green Party of Canada believes that Canadians are resilient and innovative. We don’t shy away from a challenge, we rise to the occasion. That’s why the Green Party of Canada’s aggressive climate plan is called ‘Mission Possible’ and you as a voter can contribute to that mission.”
Ralko believes there won’t be a majority government, so she’s encouraging strategic voting by choosing the Green Party.
Independent Kelvin Boucher-Chicago pledged to take the ideas of constituents directly to Ottawa.
Boucher-Chicago says “I know for a fact that the three major parties; the Liberals, and the Conservatives and the NDP in the past, they have benched their people for speaking up for them. No, they can’t bench people.”
“He adds for 16 years, the taxpayers have been constantly paying and paying to help the little people. It doesn’t work that way. Somehow the dollars get caught up in somebody’s pocket.”
Michael Di Pasquale of the People’s Party of Canada wasn’t in attendance.
The Forum was also streamed by the Sioux Lookout Public Library and the video can be found below.
We are near the home stretch in the Federal election campaign and over the next few days CKDR News will be profiling the Kenora riding candidates.
Today we feature Michael Di Pasquale of the People’s Party of Canada.
Di Pasquale talks about why he decided to run for the PPC.
“It’s about efficiency which is doing the right thing in the right place at the right time. It’s also a Canada-first policy…really I’m getting a little bit tired of the Trump comparisons.”
He admits the PPC is the most conservative party in the election campaign.
“I believe that we will be able to do the socialist aspects that do so much to make Canada the country it is without the sacrifices that we’re making. I think that we’ll be able to have a vibrant economy, take care of our people and have proper welfare and healthcare systems.”
Di Pasquale says he decided to run because the politics of the Liberals was too much for him.
“Especially with the Liberals they say one thing and they turn around and they do something different. It’s been really upsetting me for a while, they’re throwing away our money, arguably giving away our country. It’s quite sad.”
The Red Lake area resident is a first-time candidate for any party in the federal election.
The candidates running in the Federal election in the Kenora riding will get another opportunity to debate regional and national issues tonight. (Tuesday, October 8th).
An All-Candidates Forum is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Sioux Lookout at 6:30pm.
The first forum was held in Kenora last week and a third session is being held in Red Lake on Thursday.
The local slate includes incumbent Liberal Bob Nault, Conservative Eric Melilo, Rudy Turtle of the NDP, Kirsi Ralko of the Green Party, Independent candidate Kelvin Boucher-Chicago and Michael Di Pasquale of the People’s Party of Canada.
The Federal election is fast approaching and over the next few days CKDR News will be taking a close look at all of the candidates in the Kenora riding.
Today we feature Green Party candidate Kirsi Ralko.
Ralko grew up in Thunder Bay, went to law school in Winnipeg and now practices in Kenora.
She says being on Kenora City Council has been the spring board into federal politics.
“My experience on City Council has led me to want to impact real change in ways that we simply cant as council. That’s the big motivator behind my federal campaign”.
The lawyer and local business owner says the Green Party is more than just about the environment.
“Taking drastic action on climate change is certainly our main message, but it’s not the only one; we’re not a single-issue party. We’re cognizant of the economy, we want students to go to school for free, we want everyone to earn a living wage and we want affordable housing.”
Ralko says her goal as the Green Party candidate is to get the vote of the younger generation out.
“I think that our message really resonates with younger voters so certainly that’s a key demographic for me. Part of my messaging is (that) there are more than two parties to vote for in this campaign. If you’re tired of the status quo, the Green Party is a legitimate and viable alternative.”
The Federal Green Party candidate for the Kenora riding believes her party is the only one putting climate change at the forefront of its platform.
That’s one reason Kirsi Ralko decided to successfully seek the nomination, however it’s not the only one.
“They also have a number of other, really good, sensible, parts of their platform. Like supporting small business and making things more affordable for all Canadians including some relief for student debt.”
Ralko says she ran for the Green’s because she was approached by a group of enthusiastic party members asking her if she would be interested in throwing her hat in the ring.
Ralko stresses the small “Green Machine” is really turning in the Kenora riding.
She believes she can secure the “Millennial” vote during the campaign, stressing that age group can swing the final results her way.
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