Barrie-Innisfil federal Liberal candidate Lisa Marie Wilson took in the applause from supporters in Barrie during a campaign launch on Saturday afternoon.
The Redline Brewhouse on Bayview Drive was a sea of red as the current Simcoe County District School Board trustee made her pitch.
She is up against incumbent Barrie-Innisfil Conservative MP John Brassard, as well as Pekka Reinio (NDP), Bonnie North (Green) and Stephanie Robinson (PPC).
“I am passionate and driven,” she said to supporters, with current Liberal York South Weston MP Ahmed Hussen at her side.
“I’m not a polished speaker or politician. But I am a mother of two wonderful boys, one of whom I had to be an advocate for when it came to educational needs, which is one of the reasons I decided to become a school board trustee: to continue to advocate (for) those most vulnerable," the candidate added.
Wilson said she has seen “first-hand” what Conservative provincial party policies have done to children and families in similar situations.
“It scares me what a Conservative government will do to our country,” she said, alluding to Conservative leader Andrew Scheer.
Canadians may still be making up their minds before the looming election, she added.
“I know some people are still undecided,” Wilson said. “However, I strongly believe the Liberal platform and our leader Justin Trudeau (are) the best option for moving forward.”
Wilson said being a Liberal means inclusivity.
“It means we embrace diversity and are not fearful,” she said. “(Being a) Liberal is for all people: every age, gender, race, colour, religion and sexual orientation.”
Over the last four years, the federal Liberals have made investments that made “a real difference” in peoples’ lives, Wilson said.
“We have put more money in people’s pockets by cutting taxes for the middle class and raising (taxes) on the wealthiest by one per cent,” she said, adding the party has stopped sending child benefit cheques “to millionaires”.
Wilson also alluded to federal Liberal investments in Georgian College, more local affordable housing an investments in public housing.
“Protecting our nature and ensuring that our air stays clean and our waters safe (are important) because we owe it to our kids, and to ourselves, to take of our environment,” she added.
The federal election takes place on Oct. 21.
There is also advanced polling on Oct. 11-14. Visit www.elections.ca to learn more.
