We have reached out to local candidates and asked them a series of questions that are on the mind of voters across the riding. Topics range from what they’re hearing at the door, positions on the trade war, cost of living pressures and more.
Here’s what they had to say, in their own words.
Nell Thomas
Liberal Party of Canada
Tell us about yourself
I grew up on a subsistence farm near Huntsville, learning the values of hard work, self reliance and community. My understanding of rural life fuels my commitment to this region.
I recognize the challenges we face and I want to build a stronger, more sustainable future.
With 15 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Muskoka, I have prioritized helping others.
I formed “MPS Rehab” in 1997, a therapist-led company to ensure locals kept their jobs, operating out of my basement.
At 39, I began medical school in Sudbury. Since 2013, I have been a rural family physician with the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team.
My business experience brings a practical approach to my work in health and community development.
From launching the FOOD ALLIANCE to improve food security, to mentoring future rural doctors at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, I work to strengthen local food systems, health and stability of our community.
What are you hearing when door-knocking?
People are very eager to learn there is a Liberal Party candidate and are even more enthusiastic that it is Dr. Nell Thomas. They are impressed with her devotion to community and public service.
“Natural, impressive, genuine, knowledgeable, capable, accessible, friendly and sincere,” is what one individual shared with us, and summarizes the sentiment.
Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of Pierre Poilievre as Canada’s next leader and therefore are choosing to vote Liberal in this election.
What would you do about cost of living pressures in your riding?
Much current pressure on cost of living is a result of the tariffs. This is not a riding specific issue; it is a national issue. The Liberal Party has extensive concrete policies to address housing and food security, and supports for small business. These apply to our area.
Eliminating the Carbon Tax has reduced fuel cost by 18 cents a liter, which affects everything from workers’ daily commutes to the trucks bringing us food, to fuel for farm equipment, fuel costs for trades workers who are on the roads all day as well as the many homecare service providers.
More local and within-Canada supplies and resources will reduce transport costs, therefore commodities will drop in price.
Prime Minister Carney has prioritized tax cuts for middle class families.
Sustainable community food production includes food reclamation from stores, hospitals, restaurants, etc., repurposing it for meals today via food banks, and freeze dried meals for tomorrow, prioritizing the marginalized citizens.
Why should someone vote for you?
I grew up on a farm, half an hour north of Huntsville. I know hard work. My parents were not materialistic. They were devoted to public service, community. My mother was a teacher and my father a town councilor, a reeve, a farmer.
I know the issues critical to the people of this riding. Farmers, food security, ensuring workers are defended against Trump’s tariffs. I am a business person. I have a staff and expenses and provide my staff with dental, benefits, sick and holiday pay that I don’t personally have.
I am a rural family doctor. I heal people. I advocate for people.
Every day I am up close with the human situation. Real everyday issues. Housing and food insecurities, access to medicines, dental care, social security, supports for seniors, single parents, those with disabilities, domestic abuse, addictions, chronic disease, workplace injuries, people struggling with loss.
I will ensure that your concerns are heard in Ottawa.
I know your pain.
What is your position on tariffs and the trade war?
Donald Trump is creating chaos in domestic and global markets. From one day to the next the volatility is so extreme that business owners and banks and investors are unable to make predictions. Stock markets are riding roller coasters, affecting businesses in the US and Canada, influencing global trade. The greatest experts in the world cannot understand Trump’s motivation but there is no doubt it is meant to create instability and chaos. We just have to take Donald Trump at his word and deal with him. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said this hostile act has permanently changed our relationship with the United States. We must remain strong.
Boosting jobs with Canada-strong policies, dropping interprovincial trade barriers, ensuring “all in Canada” supply chain and giving small businesses what they need to stabilize through these trade wars is the Liberal Party priority. Mark Carney is a brilliant economist. He is the best man for this job.
What are potential solutions to housing affordability and homelessness?
Canada is in a housing crisis. Prime Minister Mark Carney has rapidly created policies to build homes for Canadians. This most ambitious housing plan in decades, Carney’s detailed plan is on his website. The Liberal Party will double home construction, reduce bureaucratic hoops to acquire land and to ensure construction companies can get materials and municipal go-ahead to start builds. First time buyers will see GST eliminated on homes under $1 million and save up to $50,000. New materials and technologies will reduce costs to build, to own and run and maintain new homes, as well as ensure structural stability in inevitable extreme weather events. Prioritizing rental units and subsidized units targeting marginalized populations provides homes for single parents, seniors, Indigenous, and those with disabilities.
Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?
People are aware this is the most important election of our lifetimes. My patients, well into their nineties, are saying this is the most important election of their lives. Donald Trump has reason to want Canada. He wants our water, our resources. And we have every reason to think he will try to take these. We can choose to abandon our country or to fight for it.
We could vote for a party that aligns with Donald Trump (just ask Alberta premiere Danielle Smith – she tells us Poilievre’s Conservatives are Trump-friendly) and then we too could join the freefall of the US economy, saying good bye to our jobs, our industries, our social security, our health care, women’s health care, reproductive rights, human rights, justice, public education, freedom of self expression of religion, language, sexual orientation.
Everything that makes us proud to be Canadians is at stake.
