Canadians will head to the polls in a federal election on Monday, April 28. We asked candidates in the riding of Perth-Wellington a series of questions related to the top issues of the campaign. Their answers are below.
John Nater (Conservative)
Q: Uncertainty over tariffs is raising serious financial concerns for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors – two of the largest employers in midwestern Ontario. What is your party committed to doing to address these concerns and support local businesses?
A: A Conservative Government will retaliate. Counter-tariffs should be designed to maximize the impact on the United States and minimize the impact on Canada. Unfortunately, nearly ten years of Liberal policies have weakened Canada’s economy. They have made us vulnerable. A Conservative Government would immediately begin to undo the damage so that we are better able to weather the storm. A Conservative Government will boost the auto sector by taking the GST off the sale of new Canadian-made vehicles. GST will not be charged on Canadian-made vehicles for as long as the tariffs remain in place. We must restore Canada’s economic sovereignty so we can reduce our trade dependency with the United States and stand up for ourselves.
Q: Because of the amount of attention being paid to the tariffs and how they will affect the Canadian economy, the issue of climate change has taken a backseat in this campaign. What will your party do to address the changing climate?
A: Our Conservative Team has been clear that we will address climate change and the environment through technology—not taxes. We need to start by recognizing the work that has already been done by many of the leading industries in our community, especially the agricultural industry. Perth—Wellington also has a natural environmental advantage. Thanks to programs like Wellington County’s Green Legacy, more than 3 million trees have been planted. I was pleased to help plant the 3 millionth tree. We need to support established and workable programs like this one. Climate change is a global problem. Recognizing this, we can also do our part by keeping our industry in Canada, where we have effective environmental standards and regulation. We cannot risk losing local manufacturers. That would mean lost jobs, and likely other factories replacing ours in places with lower environmental and pollution standards. A Conservative Government would also support local industries here in Perth—Wellington to become more environmentally sustainable by expanding eligibility of the Clean Technology and Clean Manufacturing Investment Tax Credits (ITCs). Heavy industries who make products with lower emissions than the world average will be rewarded, bringing jobs and production home and bringing global emissions down.
Q: As an aging population continues to stretch the resources of our health care system, some have argued for more involvement from the private sector. Where does your party stand on expansion of private health care versus protecting Canada’s universal health care system?
A: I believe in a properly funded public health care system that is accessible to all Canadians. The federal government must maintain predictable health transfers to the provinces. The federal government also needs to work with the provinces to recruit doctors and nurse practitioners to rural areas including here in Perth—Wellington. The provinces and territories should be given the flexibility to deliver the best possible health care in accordance with our agreements under the Canada Health Act.
Q: We continue to experience a housing shortage in Ontario, and in much of Canada. While we need to build more homes, it is also vitally important that farmland be protected in this region. What specific steps would you take to make sure that both things are achieved?
A: A Conservative Government will cut red tape to get homes built by incentivizing municipalities and builders. Funding will be linked to results. The more affordable and attainable homes get built, the more infrastructure funds will be available to communities. A Conservative Government will focus on the skilled trades. Our recent platform announcements have focused on getting more Canadians into skilled trades. A Conservative Government will cut the GST on the purchase of new homes under $1.3 million, which we expect to help spur the building of 36,000 more homes a year. This is a quick and efficient measure to help Canadian home buyers. We plan to speed up permits and cut development charges as well. We will also ensure municipalities are required to build within their territories and make proper use of previously underutilized space. More urban sprawl that causes farmland to be lost forever is not the answer to the housing crisis.
Q: The cost of living has become unmanageable for some and there are many others who are concerned about a possible economic recession in Canada. What would you do to address the cost of living for voters in midwestern Ontario?
A: The Carbon Tax must be repealed. This means actually getting rid of it—not pausing it, cynically, during an election campaign. We will repeal the Carbon Tax law for good and for everyone. The Liberals have refused to do this. We need more competition across industries. We need to support local independent businesses. We need to ensure that a few giant corporations cannot dictate prices. We need to hold the major telecoms accountable and to bring down prices. Rural Ontario has been an afterthought to many companies, even as they charge us exorbitant rates. All of this happened while our local, community-owned providers have been doing the heavy lifting to invest in rural broadband. Affordability also means better rural infrastructure, so local businesses can better compete. Current Liberal Government programs lump municipalities like Mapleton, Stratford, North Perth, and Perth East into the “large urban” stream of infrastructure programs. Forcing small, rural municipalities to compete with large cities like Toronto and Mississauga for the same pool of funds is simply unfair. Local communities deserve predictable and stable formula-based infrastructure funds from the federal government.
David Mackey (Liberal)
Q: Uncertainty over tariffs is raising serious financial concerns for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors – two of the largest employers in midwestern Ontario. What is your party committed to doing to address these concerns and support local businesses?
A: To tackle U.S. tariffs, Mark Carney will roll out a $2 billion Strategic Response Fund to strengthen the auto sector, protect jobs, and help workers gain new skills. Mark Carney will prioritize Canadian-made auto parts, reducing reliance on cross-border production and bringing more investment home. By tapping into Canada’s rich resources—like steel, aluminum, and critical minerals—we’ll fuel job creation and build a world-class economy. Government contracts will favor Canadian-built vehicles. Workers will receive up to $15,000 in support to transition into high-demand sectors. Through collaboration with industry and labor, we'll ensure everyone impacted has the chance to thrive. It’s important that we protect our farmers from the turmoil south of the border. The importance of food security and food sovereignty is higher than ever. Mark Carney has clearly said that Supply Management “off the table” when it comes to trade negotiations. Mark Carney has also committed to Build more domestic processing capacity, including food processing capacity in rural and remote areas, including a new $200 million Domestic Food Processing Fund
Q: Because of the amount of attention being paid to the tariffs and how they will affect the Canadian economy, the issue of climate change has taken a backseat in this campaign. What will your party do to address the changing climate?
A: While knocking on doors, Candidate David Mackey has heard the plea to not forget the need to address climate change despite what’s happening with the economy. Fortunately, Mark Carney has not forgotten the fight against climate change. Carney’s plan will immediately remove the consumer “carbon tax” and instead introduce a new approach that leaves Canadians better off, while reducing our emissions. Mark Carney’s plan will provide incentives for consumers. Put more of the burden on big polluters. And help us build the strongest economy in the G7. We don’t have to choose between fighting climate change and growing our economy. We can fight climate change together and build the strongest economy in the G7.
Q. As an aging population continues to stretch the resources of our healthcare system, some have argued for more involvement from the private sector. Where does your party stand on expansion of private health care versus protecting Canada’s universal health care system?
A: Mark Carney knows that healthcare in Canada is a right, but healthcare in the USA is called Big Business. Mark Carney will defend the right to healthcare in Canada. His plan says health care contributes to a robust economy and he ocuses on improving workforce mobility within Canada’s healthcare system. A Mark Carney-led government will provide federal leadership and incentives to implement mutual recognition of health professional credentials to increase interprovincial mobility in our healthcare system. Streamlined credential recognition across provinces and territories will improve workforce flexibility, lower health care costs, and reduce regional shortages. Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to rein in government spending, but has made clear that cuts to federal health-care transfers would not be part of that program.
Q. We continue to experience a housing shortage in Ontario, and in much of Canada. While we need to build more homes, it is also vitally important that farmland be protected in this region. What specific steps would you take to make sure that both things are achieved?
A: Mark Carney’s Build Canada Homes plan addresses the housing crisis by building almost 500,000 new homes a year. This is the most since the Second World War. Carney’s plan addresses the need for below market price housing by having the government directly take on the role of a developer. Carney’s plan also includes cutting the red tape and lowering house building costs for market priced houses. Carney will also reintroduce a major tax incentive which, when originally introduced in the 1970s, spurred tens of thousands of rental housing across the country, and make it easier for Canadians to weather the storm by putting more money back in their pocket. Our Liberal plan to make life more affordable will cut your taxes and help Canadians afford a home, access dental care, and secure reliable child care. Our plan will save Canadians thousands of dollars every year and build the fastest growing economy in the G7.
Q. The cost of living has become unmanageable for some and there are many others who are concerned about a possible economic recession in Canada. What would you do to address the cost of living for voters in midwestern Ontario?
A: In a recession, helping people involves providing resources and strategies to mitigate the financial impact and ensure well-being. This includes building emergency funds, cutting back on spending, paying off high-interest debt, and exploring new income streams. Additionally, focusing on recession-proof industries, investing in core sectors, and investing in oneself can help individuals navigate the downturn. Mark Carney's plan makes it easier for Canadians to weather the storm by making life more affordable, will cut your taxes and help Canadians afford a home, access dental care, and secure reliable child care. Our plan will save Canadians thousands of dollars every year.
Kevin Kruchkywich (NDP)
Q: Uncertainty over tariffs is raising serious financial concerns for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors – two of the largest employers in midwestern Ontario. What is your party committed to doing to address these concerns and support local businesses?
A: Firstly, I believe that Canada should be applying strategic counter tariffs to match what is being thrown at us from the US and China. Every dollar from these counter tariffs will go back into supporting workers and their families, no loopholes, no walk backs. We need to take care of our businesses and workers with solid financial support to get us through this turbulent time.
Secondly, we will launch a Build Canadian Buy Canadian strategy to build more of what we need here in Canada and prioritize products made by Canadian workers in public procurement. Instead of hoping trade with the United States will normalize, it’s time to build an economy that doesn’t rely on America. This includes investing in public infrastructure now to keep workers working – building homes, an East-West energy grid, hospitals, highways and bridges – diversifying trade relationships and incentivizing and supporting more value-added manufacturing in Canada.
Q. Because of the amount of attention being paid to the tariffs and how they will affect the Canadian economy, the issue of climate change has taken a backseat in this campaign. What will your party do to address the changing climate?
A: The NDP has a comprehensive plan to address climate change. The cornerstone of our approach is to eliminate public subsidies and tax breaks for oil and gas companies — saving $18 billion over 10 years — and put that money to work for Canadians through a major home retrofit program. Our plan is to use those savings to retrofit 3.3 million homes with energy-saving upgrades, including free retrofits for 2.3 million low-income households, and grants or low-interest loans for 1 million more. This will cut energy bills by up to $4,500 a year for families across Canada.
New Democrats will emphasize support for Canadian-made solutions like manufacturing heat pumps and construction materials. This will boost our manufacturing sector and have the added effect of creating thousands of good union jobs in installation, auditing, and retrofitting — created through partnerships with local colleges and union training centres.
Q. As an aging population continues to stretch the resources of our health care system, some have argued for more involvement from the private sector. Where does your party stand on expansion of private health care versus protecting Canada’s universal health care system?
A: Canadians are proud of the public health care we’ve built together, but privatization and decades of underfunding have led to a crisis that other parties are ignoring. New Democrats are fighting for health care that’s ready for you when and where you need it. We know that Canada’s health care system is actually more effective (Canadians live four years longer on average) and less expensive per capita than the private system in the US, so why would we want to move in that direction?
The NDP is committed to strengthening the public system and has solutions to achieve that goal. We will work with provinces and territories to recruit, retrain, and retain more doctors and nurses to work across Canada. We’ll also make it easier for health care workers to work in Canada by streamlining the licenses of workers from other countries and pan-Canadian licensing to work any in Canada. We’ll also invest in better home care and long-term care so our elders aren’t spending months in hospital beds waiting for a spot. By expanding pharmacare, free prescribed medication will be available so that no one will have to choose between taking the medication they need and paying their rent.
Q. We continue to experience a housing shortage in Ontario, and in much of Canada. While we need to build more homes, it is also vitally important that farmland be protected in this region. What specific steps would you take to make sure that both things are achieved?
A: The NDP's plan for affordable housing is to set aside 100% of suitable federal crown land to build over 100,000 rent-controlled homes by 2035. This plan protects farmland while using an already existing Federal resource—a win win for all. New construction will be publicly financed with a new Community Housing Bank, which will partner with nonprofit developers, co-ops, and Indigenous communities to get this housing built.
Q. The cost of living has become unmanageable for some and there are many others who are concerned about a possible economic recession in Canada. What would you do to address the cost of living for voters in midwestern Ontario?
A: Inflation on groceries is the highest it has been in 40 years, yet grocery CEOs are making record profits. The NDP will tackle this problem by putting price caps for the groceries you need. And we will use every tool at our disposal to help people find homes they can afford, including building rent-controlled homes on public land, supporting first-time home buyers and launching a massive house-building program.
We’ll put more money in people’s pockets with a tax cut targeted to those who need it the most. We’ll take the GST off the essentials that families need – groceries, home heating, and cell phone bills. We’ll also ensure that you can continue to count on essential programs that the NDP fought for – dental care and childcare. These programs currently save families thousands of dollars every year.
**Also running in Perth- Wellington is Wayne Baker of the People's Party of Canada. He has not yet responded with answers to the above questions. If/when he does, his answers will be added to this post.