In the middle of a federal election campaign, the leader of the Green Party of Ontario was in town yesterday to hit the streets with Barrie-Innisfil candidate Bonnie North.
Mike Schreiner joined North on the campaign trail in the Little Avenue and Bayview Drive area, as North attempts to win the Barrie-Innisfil seat in this October’s federal election. There was also a town-hall meeting at the Allandale Recreation Centre.
The visit to Barrie by the Guelph MPP was part of the provincial leader’s planned tour.
Schreiner told BarrieToday he enjoys getting out talking to people, especially with the support the Green Party has been receiving.
“Not only am I out as an MPP and a leader of the party and wanting to hear what people’s concerns are, but I am also out supporting federal candidates, like Bonnie,” Schreiner said. “We’re feeling this Green wave across the province and the country and I think people want to see a change in politics. Bonnie is one of those people looking to bring that change.”
Thursday night's meeting at the south-end recreation centre attracted about 60 people, where Schreiner discussed and listened to people on topics such as climate change, job creation, affordable housing and other issues on voters' minds.
“The climate crisis is knocking at our door and, frankly, people are worried,” said Schreiner. “People want urgent action and with that comes the economic responsibility of such action.
“We have solutions," he added. "I know there is a lot of anxiety about the climate crisis, and we have solutions to address this in a way that also assures we have a prosperous economy. We know how to create lots of jobs so people can afford to pay the bills every month as well.”
North will look to unseat incumbent Conservative MP John Brassard when the election rolls around on Oct. 21.
While she says it will be a big task, she believes the people in her riding want the change.
“Every day we are hearing from people who say they fed up with the status quo and they are looking now at the Greens with fresh eyes,” North said. “We are looking out for the environment. Of course, that has been the basis and grass roots of the party, but it isn’t all we’re about and people are seeing that more and more.”
The news Thursday was focused on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his use of blackface costume in pictures and videos from three separate incidences from the 1990s and 2001.
Federal elections have been known to have some mud-slinging between politicians, but North said she doesn’t want to get involved in the controversy, telling BarrieToday she will stay the course with the business at hand.
“Mike and I were just talking about this latest controversy,” said North. “The blackface issue absolutely needs to be addressed, but I don’t want to pile on.
"I want to focus on the things that Greens have to offer to make people’s lives better," she added. "That is where I will set my sights this election.”
