The People’s Party of Canada has candidates in both local ridings who say they’re ready for the upcoming election this October.
Stephanie Robinson will run in Barrie-Innisfil, while David Patterson will represent the the party in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte.
Neither of the candidates have any political experience, but Robinson told BarrieToday she believes that will only help her in the long run.
“I’m fed up with current politics and I’ve read some polls that say most people want an average person representing them and not some career politician who is looking to further their career,” Robinson said.
“I’m not saying I’m not a little bit nervous, but I am ready and looking forward to the whole process," she said.
A release from the Barrie-Innisfil PPC Association said that Robinson is a founding member of the party and has been involved in the establishment of the electoral district association since the first meeting in December 2018.
The first-time candidate said she knows it will be tough, but Robinson says she knows tough and is ready for it.
“I’m a mother, wife, grandmother and volunteer for different organizations. I know what it takes to overcome tough situations,” Robinson said. “The PPC values line up with mine and they are, like me, concerned with the people in the community.
"If I help one person in the riding, no matter any results that is a success.”
On the Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte side, Patterson is the second person to be announced for the riding as former candidate Karmangah Tait stepped down six days after being named.
An IT specialist who lives in the Brechin area, Patterson who was active member of the military reserves (1994-2001), serving in Kosovo (1999-2000), was president of the Orillia and District Literacy Council, and says he speaks three languages fluently, including English, French and Creole.
Patterson recently spent five years in Haiti, working on developing a volunteer-run online learning centre.
Patterson told BarrieToday he's looking forward to meeting people and talking through some of the issues they have, even if it is with the party itself and its perceived far-right views.
“I know the perception some people have of the People’s Party and they couldn’t be farther from the truth,” said Patterson. “We don’t want racists in the party, and race, religion and culture will not play a part in this election for us.
"We are here to work for the people, which is unlike what other parties seem to be doing.”
As it stands, the other candidates in the north-end Barrie riding include the Green Party's Marty Lancaster, the New Democrats' Dan Janssen and the Conservatives' Doug Shipley. The Liberals have yet to announce a candidate.
In the Barrie-Innisfil riding, current MP John Brassard will represent the Conservatives, while Bonnie North is vying for the spot fo the Green Party and Pekka Reinio the NDP. The Liberals have yet to announce someone for riding.
