Ram Faerber values his independence

Ram Faerber doesn’t think much of Doug Ford, but he also goes on record as saying Ford’s Progressive Conservative party is the best bet for Ontario to go forward.

It’s one of a number of contradictions about the veteran politician, running this spring as an independent in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte riding for the June 7 provincial election.

“The PC party has some great members and they will do good things for this province,” the 59-year-old Faerber tells BarrieToday. But he also slams local Tory hopeful Doug Downey, as “totally out of touch with his riding as he doesn’t even live in it.”

On the other hand, Faerber, a native of Guyana, says, “I live and work with my family in the heart of Barrie, operating a small business that takes me across and back my whole riding almost every single day. Finding efficiency is not necessarily about making ‘cuts’ but more importantly about making sure every tax payer dollar spent is spent to the fullest.”

Here is where he has trouble with Doug Ford, who, until this week, did not have a fully-costed-out policy platform, “so who knows what he will be getting into. But I would be glad to assist with his platform if it is in the benefit of my riding as your independent representative.”

Faerber, who has run for various levels of government – municipal, federal and provincial -- says his lack of party affiliation gives him the inside track on the other candidates. It means, “I can work with whichever party forms the next government for the best interest of the people, with the people as my team.

“After an election, elected candidates spend most of their time focusing on what their leader is trying to do instead of representing the riding they were elected in. The advantage is the people are my leader; I will be working for them, with them, to make the riding stronger.

If tied in too closely to any one party, he reasons, “candidates can be kicked out if they don’t follow party policies.”    

Ram says another advantage is the aforementioned experience over a number of years.

“Campaigns are unpredictable and anything can happen. So if you do not try, you will never know. I strongly believe I could make a huge difference if elected, in any position, at any level of our political system. People know who I am and what I represent. If elected I could have done a better job than the people who are there now.”

As an independent, Ram Faerber also says, he would not knock himself out trying to change the system. “But if there is anything of great concern during my time, I will be first to file a motion of concern. My main goal as an MPP is to focus on my riding and bring about positive change (in) health-care, jobs, transportation, affordable living, accountability and transparency. Focusing on the little things can and will make a huge difference and effect great change with little cost.”

As an independent, going door-to-door and meeting the voters, he’s heard a good deal of dissatisfaction. He says some “have their parties and are sticking to them through hell or high water. Some, unfortunately, are so soured by a fruitless process that they would rather not vote or even spoil their ballot if they do. I am trying to let everyone know that, as an independent, (I am running on) the main priorities of the folks living in my riding and I want them all to know that I will stand strong and always be ready to listen and help.”