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And they’re off! Who will be the Federal candidates for Simcoe-Grey?

August 19, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Sunday’s announcement that the nation will be going to the polls on September 20 was no surprise.

The political ads started turning up on radio several weeks ago followed by rumours that the Prime Minister would be taking a walk over to Rideau Hall on Sunday to ask the Governor General to call an election.

That gives federal political parties only five weeks to get their candidates in place, deliver a platform, and get out there to shake hands, or these days, nod heads and maybe fist bump with constituents and explain why they deserve the vote.

As of the election call, only one of the three major political parties had a candidate in place for the riding of Simcoe-Grey. That excludes the Bloc Quebecois which has 32 seats in parliament but is active only in Quebec during federal elections.

Of the smaller, unofficial parties, only one has a confirmed candidate.

So far, the only two candidates are:

Conservative Party of Canada

Terry Dowdall – incumbent

Mr. Dowdall was elected to the federal riding of Simcoe-Grey in the 2019 general election with just over 43 per cent of the vote.

He is currently a member of the Standing Committee on National Defence.

Prior to entering federal politics, he had 18 years of municipal experience including being the mayor of the Township of Essa. He was elected as Simcoe County Deputy Warden in 2014 and 2016, and finished his municipal career as Acting Warden.

He won the Conservative Party of Canada nomination in March 2018 for Simcoe-Grey.

Mr. Dowdall has served three terms on the board of directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

People’s Party of Canada

Candidate: Adam Minatel

Mr. Minatel is a Tottenham resident, where he resides with his wife and three sons.

By profession, he is a licensed electrician and electrical foreman.

This is his first foray in to federal politics.

According to the Party website, Mr. Minatel’s goals are to allow people to “deserve the right to make an honest living free of government interference.”

The People’s Party promote freedom of expression, veteran’s rights, controlled immigration, firearms owner’s property rights, and he elimination of official multiculturalism.

So far, the Liberal Party of Canada, the NDP, and the Green Party have not announced candidates for the riding of Simcoe-Grey.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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