Independence Day

It is with a mixture of sadness and relief that I have stepped down from the nomination race to represent the Green Party of Ontario in the October provincial election. I will instead be running as an independent candidate.

This decision comes as no surprise to those who have been following my writing of late regarding the evils of the party system. It is this system that has caused me to make my decision. I have every respect for my colleagues in the Green Party and I have few disagreements with their policies, but I can no longer run under any party banner with a clear conscience. 

The party system has become a self-serving power structure that does not adequately serve the interests of local constituents. My sole reason to run for office is to help the citizens of Grey and Bruce navigate the serious challenges that we are facing due to global economics, rising energy prices, and rural inequities. 

There are many opportunities for our region to capitalize on the challenges and not only survive these challenges, but to thrive in spite of them. The party system has increasingly become a barrier to achieving meaningful action on behalf of Bruce/Grey citizens.

Our long-time MPP Bill Murdoch has said, “it seems to me over the past 100 years or so we have taken away the individual rights of elected members of government, and in doing so, we have taken away the rights of constituents who elected them”.

I agree wholeheartedly with Bill’s assessment. We need a return to system where local citizens are engaged, involved, and taken seriously at Queen’s Park. Instead of listening to citizens, parties attempt to convince the electorate that their package of ideas is the right package. From this we get all kinds of ridiculous assumptions, such as the expectation that elected members, much less constituents, should all agree on every detail of a platform. I’ve always said that anyone who agrees with every aspect of a party’s policies is either a liar, or an idiot. 

To quote Bill Murdoch again, “In my view, a government should be applauded because they are so confident in their leadership, so certain of their direction, that they allow members to think, to react, to represent, and to vote.” Again, in Bill’s words, “If you didn’t get elected to speak your mind, to defend your constituents and to adjust or even change the system – then what did you get elected for?” 

With Bill Murdoch retiring, who will continue to fight for proper representation of the citizens of Grey/Bruce? Since talk is cheap, I’ve made the decision to put actions to my words and devote myself completely to the interests of this region, free of party influence.

Thank you to the people of Grey/Bruce who have put so much confidence in me this far. I look forward to continuing to serve on your behalf.