With Ontarians headed to the polls on Feb. 27, nearly a year and a half earlier than originally scheduled, The Vision sent a series of questions to some of the candidates.
Independent candidate Jason St. Louis
Q: What are the most pressing issues/concerns facing residents across Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, and how does you plan on addressing these issues/concerns?
A: Widening Highway 17 from Clarence-Rockland to Hawkesbury is a major issue.
I drive this road nearly everyday and yes, it is congested and time consuming. Mayor ZANTH has been seeking funding for years to make this happen. The need to support the already growing communities and future planned growth. Nothing has been done by the in-power elected officials, as Mayor Zanth has shared.
If elected, my presence at Queens Park to request the Province give us answers and resolve in an immediate and timely fashion and relay that to the constituents. We have a continuing growth, and we need to expand accordingly.
Housing and Taxes are the other issues which I address on my Platform. The government says they have no money.
Allow me to speak freely, and free from repercussions of being reprimanded by a political party « whip » aka the party disciplinarian. I have been doing research on where our tax dollars go, and that has led me to things like Global Affairs. Go to my website www.jasonstlouis.ca and read what I found out. I am furious to see Billions of tax dollars being spent overseas to fund foreign countries and projects, as well as funding refugees here in our own country. Things like the federal government wanting $411 million dollars to cover refugee healthcare.
We should be funding our own citizens and addressing housing, healthcare. food, and so much more before we are supporting other countries with our tax dollars. This may be a federal issue, but its mine and your tax dollars and we deserve to be looked after as a priority, above all others.
I will be demanding our provincial government audit where our tax dollars are going, and I will show our constituents with full transparency and accountability.
Q: For a long time, people in rural areas have felt ignored. What are your party’s plans to make sure these residents have a voice?
A: Voting for an Independent is going to be an opportunity for every constituent to be heard. I want to create a platform that will allow all constituents to engage and be heard and get results in real time.
Q: With the chance of a trade war with the U.S., is your party best equipped to stand up for Ontarians? How so, and what is your plan?
A: The fear mongering that is taking place on this topic is on high alert. I think we have the resources and professionals to deal with how to manage this issue, and if I am elected, I will have a much closer relationship with the Province to engage in resolutions, and offer my solutions on how to support our economy, and I will be in a position to hear from my constituents on their thoughts as well. In addition, each province needs to know its value, and how to capitalize on that to support our economy.
Q: The riding is predominantly Francophone. What is your party’s plan to ensure Francophone residents receive the support and resources they need in their official language?
A: In my opinion, there should be no issues with getting information in either language, unless we are talking about language barriers between healthcare practitioners and other services. I understand how that could be an issue, however, there are now devices that translate in real-time, so I would look at ensuring that is an option for patients and clients. I want to know more from our constituents so that I could better know the direct needs and wants and be able to offer the best support possible.
Q: How does your party plan on addressing the housing shortage? Affordability? Ontarians are struggling to put food on the table and are struggling to even rent or buy a home.
A: This is a massive concern that affects all the GPR district. For example, Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre has been expressing for decades the need for land to expand his community. In short, we need taxes lowered, development charges lowered, incentives for developers to build low-cost homes/subdivision by eliminating the red tape, revamped regulations, permit times, wait times so we can build now. I want to know more, I want to work with developers to better understand the whole alphabet of what it takes, so that everyone has an opportunity to own a home or have affordable rent. This goes for renovating basement suites for families or income to support families.
I want to press the Province to press the Feds to Amend the Bank of Canada Act and allow private loans at a 2% interest rate for first time home buyers, and reduced rates to build new homes, and I want those interest rate profits to be proportionality split. The feds get a portion for the loan, and the balance goes back into the communities where those builds took place to support municipal costs for services, helping to keep municipal taxes and costs of services reduced.
For me to do anything, and to dive deeper, I need a seat at the table.
Q: Why should Ontarians vote for you?
A: I want to address the concerns of constituents thinking they will lose out if they vote for an Independent. The old way of thinking was « vote splitting ». Voting for me is not going to change who becomes Prime Minister, or a minister, or whatever, however, what voting for an Independent will do, is ensure that you, the constituents, have a seat and a voice at the table!
When you vote PC or Liberal, or NDP, or Green, your representative is bound to that party and they overall direction of that party. When the party needs a vote, the WHIP representative goes around and lets everyone know » we need a YES vote, or we need a NO vote. If your party does not like what you have to say or do, there may be repercussions.
I promise to be bound to you, the constituents, and to offer transparency and accountability to you, because I am you, and what is affecting you, is affecting me. We live in this district, and we know what we need.
I ask you all to vote for yourself, vote Independent.
