Dear Editor:

Since December 14, 2018, when Michael Den Tandt announced his intention to seek the federal Liberal nomination in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, I have spent countless hours on the campaign trail.

I have knocked on hundreds of doors across this riding, seen streets I didn’t know existed, and had conversations that have been engaging, respectful and interesting.

I’ve never grown tired of sharing Michael’s story; deep local roots, knowledge of how Ottawa works, authentic relationships with people locally and nationally, and most of all a genuine desire to work hard to make life better for people in BGOS.

I’ve been proud to share the facts about the government when I hear people’s concerns.

Yes, there is a deficit. The debt-to-GDP ratio in Canada is the lowest in the G7, and falling. When Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, visited our riding on October 4, she noted that our debt servicing costs in relation to the size of Canada’s economy are the lowest in 50 years. Canada and Germany are the only G7 countries with the top AAA credit rating from Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s.

Yes, there are people out of work and underemployed. Canada’s unemployment rate just hit 5.5%, the lowest in four decades. The jobless rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region, which includes Grey and Bruce counties, was 4.2 per cent in September – the best in Ontario. When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Owen Sound on September 4, he signalled his party’s commitment to rural high speed internet, which is one crucial element in expanding better employment opportunities here.

Yes, there are people who are struggling. The Canada Child Benefit is helping 17,200 children in BGOS. Independent analysts have described the CCB as “arguably the best anti-child poverty instrument in Canadian tax history.” Canadians have been able to continue to access retirement benefits at age 65. If Liberals are re-elected, seniors stand to receive increased OAS and GIS payments, and student grants will increase while loan repayment schedules will be made more flexible.

Yes, there is a climate crisis. In the words of John Anderson, retired marine biologist and co-producer Resilience: Transforming a Community: “It is a choice between a climate policy that is practical and achievable (Liberal), policies that are ambitious but unlikely to succeed (Green, NDP) and no policy at all (Conservative).”

No, this riding hasn’t always been Conservative. In fact, in 11 of the past 26 years, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound was represented by Liberal Ovid Jackson.

And no, please do NOT vote strategically. As former Liberal candidate Kimberley Love says of Michael Den Tandt, “we have never had a candidate come forward – in any party – who was better equipped to represent BGOS in Ottawa.”

Yes, you can vote with your head and your heart. That’s why I support Michael Den Tandt.

Mary Anne Alton,
Michael Den Tandt Campaign Chair