General News » Headline News » News

Meet more candidates, Simcoe-Grey

September 2, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Meet your candidates, Simcoe-Grey

By Wendy Gabrek

As the clock ticks down to the 2021 Federal Election set for September 20, the ballot is filling up in Simcoe-Grey.

When Parliament was dissolved last month, the only confirmed candidates at that point were incumbent Conservative Terry Dowdall and People’s Party of Canada candidate Adam Minatel.

Now, the Liberals, New Democrats, Greens, and Christian Heritage parties have confirmed their candidates.

Let’s meet them.

Bren Munro – LIBERAL

Bren Munro is a devoted community leader with a proven record of community service. She is a Waterloo and Western grad who is experienced and comfortable in the collaboration needed for writing policy. She has negotiated collective agreements and has a working knowledge of the legislative process. Munro says she has shown a deep passion and determination to make a real difference for the families in the community.

Munro also states that she has a unique understanding of Simcoe-Grey’s vibrant character and community, and will be a hard-working Member of Parliament, representing the community’s interests in Ottawa.

As the Team Trudeau Candidate for Simcoe-Grey, Munro says she understands what it takes to create the affordable housing that we desperately need.

“I share the values of equality, tolerance, and openness with our community and I believe freedom of the press is essential in a democracy,” Munro told The Times.

Bren Munro also fully supports the Liberal Party of Canada’s emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, economic growth, and environmental protection.

Lucas Gillies – NDP

As a paramedic and new father, Lucas Gillies says he is ready to fight for everyday people and for future generations.

Mr. Gillies “knows we need to invest in local health care services and universal pharmacare.”

As such, he says he will help all seniors by making sure the long-term care system is supporting them.

Gillies also says he is ready to make sure the federal government is working for communities in Simcoe–Grey with action to address affordable housing, childcare and the opioid crisis. Gillies also wants to tackle the climate crisis with bold carbon emission reduction targets and good sustainable jobs in the new green economy.

Growing up on an ecological farm, Gillies says he knows how important it is to protect land and water resources and says he is committed to defending the environment and tackling the climate emergency.

“Action cannot wait and I’ll push for … support for home retrofits,” Gillies told The Times.

Gillies “is ready for better.”

Nick Clayton – GREEN

The Simcoe-Grey Green Party Riding Association has announced Nick Clayton, of The Blue Mountains, as the Green Party candidate for the 2021 federal election.

Mr. Clayton, who works as a secondary school teacher in Simcoe County, will propose a positive progressive social and environmental vision for Simcoe–Grey while holding the Liberal minority government accountable for insufficient action on key issues.

“My three children, along with my proximity to the next generation through my work as a teacher, have instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility, and that is what motivates me to strive for a sustainable future for the residents of Simcoe-Grey,” said Clayton in his personal declaration.

A husband and a father, Mr. Clayton earned his B.Ed. from O.I.S.E. and studied music at the University of Toronto. Clayton has been a resident of The Blue Mountains for 12 years, and says he is hopeful his family will have a prosperous future in the riding.

He says he believes that through a transparent representative like himself, more families will feel optimistic for their future as well.

Ken Stouffer – CHRISTIAN HERITAGE PARTY

Ken Stouffer and his wife have lived in the Alliston area for 42 years.

They have five children and many grandchildren.

Mr. Stouffer sold life insurance for a few years after university, then became a recruiter, filling professional and management roles for companies in the Greater Toronto Area. He has been recruiting for over 30 years and has been self-employed for the past 12 years.

Stouffer has been interested in politics since his time at the University of Toronto where he studied political science.

He has served as a Director with the Simcoe­–Grey Progressive Conservatives for a number of years, but stepped away as the party moved further to the left.

He has served for many years as a shift supervisor at The Door, a youth drop in centre in Alliston, and on the District Executive Committee with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church for six years and served on the board of a Christian not-for-profit for a number of years.

By Wendy Gabrek

Readers Comments (0)