The People’s Party of Canada have their man in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte (BSOM) for the upcoming federal election.
Karmangah Tait will take the reins for the new party in hopes of winning the riding that has been a Conservative Party foothold for.
The 23-year-old Springwater Township resident spoke with BarrieToday and said that, while he may not have as much of an active political background as some, he has always been interested in politics.
“I have been interested in politics my whole life. Albeit I am young, but that love of politics has been with me for a long time,” said Tait. “I just didn’t think there was a party that represented my libertarian views and with the People’s Party looking to get off the ground this election, I felt compelled to get involved.”
Born in Newmarket, Tait is attending the Orillia campus of Lakehead University where he's studying environmental sustainability, with a minor in economics.
In a statement from the BSOM People's Party of Canada electoral association, the group says Tait “represents the youth initiative, is motivated to clean up government with respect towards our community, residents and country. He embodies the movement (and) message of our party, the global rise in national identity politics, while maintaining his mutual respect towards other’s freedom of opinion and speech.”
BarrieToday asked Tait for his thoughts on the party’s public perception as being too radically right wing.
The BSOM candidate said that it's the right of the people to express their opinions, but conversation would be better.
“Like anything, we live in a free country and people can think what they want,” he said. “That said, I believe that engaging in debate is the only thing that helps fix radical misrepresentation. This isn’t about one ideology, there is no reason we can’t have political fluidity. Everyone is welcome to join the party.”
As it stands, the Green Party (Marty Lancaster), the New Democrats (Dan Janssen) and the Conservatives (Doug Shipley) have all announced their candidate in the BSOM riding, with only the Liberals yet to name their candidates.
Tait says that, due to his youth and inexperience, it will be an uphill battle, but one he's ready for.
“This is certainly a lot like David versus Goliath,” said Tait. “What we have going for us as a party is that people are looking for change, they are looking for a new voice and to be heard and to open the platform to different ideas.
"There may be others with more political experience, but do they have experience in the questions that need answered today? What to do about climate change, how do we deal with artificial intelligence, thousands losing jobs in Oshawa at GM and more everyday dealing with unemployment, what are they going to do about that? It is an even playing field in that manner," he added.
As for the area in which he is looking to represent, Tait said he will tackle issues head on, and is looking forward to getting out and meeting people as the weeks and months progress.
“Now it is time for us to come together as a team, get pamphlets out, create a strategy and make ourselves, particularly me, visible to the community,” he said.
“This area has many major issues that need someone to deal with including attracting business to the area and dealing with homelessness," Tait added. "The homelessness issue has been beyond out of hand here and it is time for someone to finally look at these people as human beings and not just a number.”
The federal election is Oct. 21.
