Your SDG federal election candidates

by Brandon Mayer

A lawn sign for incumbent candidate, MP Eric Duncan in Winchester on March 23, the same day the election campaign kicked off

      A federal election will take place on April 28. Debates are occurring in Glengarry on April 13, and in Stormont on April 15. The Times was unsuccessful in an attempt to set up a Dundas County debate for April 19. Instead, the Times will engage with candidates remotely for a Q&A on some issues specific to North Dundas. These Q&A articles will be printed in the April 24 issue of the Times. 
      For now, brief introductions of the local candidates are provided here. No other SD&G candidates are expected, unless someone runs as an independent. Any updates will be included in the web version of the article at https://www.ndtimesnews.ca/federal-election. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. 
      Eric Duncan is the former Mayor of North Dundas and current SD&G Member of Parliament. He is a member of the Conservative Party, which states on its website: “The Conservative Party of Canada is founded on the principles of peace and freedom on the world stage; responsible management of taxpayers' money; a welcoming land of refuge for the world’s persecuted and afflicted; the defence of clean Canadian technologies; and a clear understanding of responsibilities between levels of government.” Visit https://www.conservative.ca/ to learn more. 
      Sarah Good is a Cornwall City Councillor and the candidate for the currently ruling Liberal Party, which states as part of its principles: “A federal Liberal government is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the lives of all Canadians and is committed to democratic governance, federalism and the rule of law. We are compassionate and responsible ¬fiscal stewards, committed to providing a good and fair balance between the economy and social justice.” Visit https://liberal.ca/ to learn more. 
      Gordan Kubanek is a retired teacher, engineer, consultant and writer who will represent the Green Party of Canada. A paraphrased statement of values from the Green Party website is as follows: “The policies of the [Green] Party, in agreement with the Charter of the Global Greens, are founded upon the values of: ecological wisdom, social justice, participatory democracy, non-violence, sustainability, [and] respect for diversity.” Visit https://www.greenparty.ca/en to learn more. 
      Mario Leclerc is a Cornwall based paralegal who is representing the New Democratic Party again after an attempt in 2011. Part of the NDP constitution states: “New Democrats seek a future that brings together the best of the insights and objectives of Canadians who, within the social democratic and democratic socialist traditions, have worked through farmer, labour, co-operative, feminist, human rights and environmental movements, and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, to build a more just, equal, and sustainable Canada.” Visit https://www.ndp.ca/ to learn more. 
      Karl Ivan MacKinnon is the newest addition to the ballot, and no information could be found before print deadline. He is running for the Libertarian Party, which states on its website: “We, the members of the Libertarian Party of Canada, call for a marked reduction in the size and powers of the Government of Canada. We hold that where governments exist, they should be stringently limited both in their structure and in their operations. The recognition and protection of the rights of the individual to life, liberty, and property are the only proper purposes of government.”
      Cameron Tuck is the candidate for the People’s Party of Canada. Little personal information is available for him yet, as of the time of writing. The People’s Party has a full and detailed platform on its website, but no succinct statement to summarize its values. The PPC is a far right party that rejects Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) programs, is focused on fiscal stewardship, and seeks to end mass immigration while upholding “Canadian values”. Visit https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/ to learn more. 