Premier Kathleen Wynne’s alleged remarks about younger voters being needed in the June 7 election to counteract “old, white voters” notwithstanding, her party’s candidate in the riding of Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte is aiming his message at ALL voters.
But Jeff Kerk is especially eager to connect with the young.
“Millennials are now the largest voting population and will be a dominant force in the 2018 election. It was very positive to see this demographic, my demographic, increase its voter participation in the last federal election (in 2015)”
Kerk, who has headed diagnostic services at
“I have (successfully) applied these skills to the health-care sector,” he tells
“My management and people skills are transferable to any sector, including government. I look forward to using these skills to improve the lives of the people of (this riding)”
Kerk says millenials deal with different problems from their parents. “They see their parents sitting comfortably in houses, after a lifetime of hard work and saving. Unfortunately, many millenials are unable to break into the housing market themselves.” So, with rents as high as they are in this riding, and house prices skyrocketing, “housing affordability remains a significant issue.”
Jeff points to the Liberals campaign’s Fair Housing Plan as a strategy for dealing with this issue.
“We have introduced rent control provisions and legislation allowing municipalities to require developers to include affordable housing units in new developments. The province is investing more than $1 billion each year in affordable housing, including a $1.5-million investment in
On the other hand, “(Progressive Conservative leader) Doug Ford wants to repeal the foreign buyers’ tax, which will make finding a home even more difficult and drive up prices.”
Kerk also points to planks of the recent provincial budget aimed at free post-secondary education free for families making less than $90,000, and drug and dental coverage for millions not covered through work.
His environmental platform includes increasing access to transit, specifically at the Barrie GO Station, as well as making smart investments in Oro-Medonte related to water treatment and the continued maintenance of 13 different treatment facilities.
Perhaps as a dig at the Tories and the perception that Ford has “parachuted in” certain hopefuls by appointment rather than local nomination, Kerk says, “I live here. My family lives here. We use the services of Springwater,
(His PC opponent, Doug Downey, was appointed just over a week ago. Meanwhile, Dan Janssen is running for the New Democrats, Kennan Aylwin for the Green Party)
Moreover, “government is about working with people. I have a large team of direct and indirect reports at the hospitals where I work and we provide health-care to many constituents in BSOM. This health-care is provided during a time when residents are at their most vulnerable, so it takes compassion (for it to succeed).
Kerk has not set sights on a cabinet posting in a re-elected Wynne government, but fixes his gaze local.
“I am going to Queen’s Park to be a strong advocate for the people of Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte. After that, I will accept any role in government where I can make a contribution to improving this great province.
Kerk concludes, “I believe that our province and the people of Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte are inclusive, caring and diverse. I don’t believe that the policies and values of Doug Ford match those of the people of this riding. That’s why I am running.”
