Chatham-Kent Leamington candidates weigh in

DAVE EPP – Incumbent Progressive Conservative

Dave Epp is a third-generation Leamington farmer on the First Concession. He is married with four grown daughters, who have all spread their wings and went out into society.

He’s been on many committees and organizations prior to his political career, including the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers, Agricorp, Leamington’s Committee of Adjustment, Board of Directors for UMEI, Leamington Flyers Hockey Club and much more.

In addition, Dave served five years with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

His brother and nephew now handle the majority of the work on the Epp farm, as he delved into politics.

“I became more partisan in the last 10 years, as I hoped to affect change,” he said.

For Dave, with his expertise in the farming and agri-food processing field, he is confident he can continue to work hard for all of his constituents.

“This is home,” he said. “Yes, I’m from Leamington, but I feel like I can call the entire riding my home.”

He’s spent a lot of time leading teams and committees and sees one of his strengths as being able to work with colleagues on the same side and across the aisle.

As for main issues, Epp sees COVID as being front and centre, but cautions that we have to take care of the health of the community but also look to financial recovery after COVID.

“We have to look ahead and secure the future,” he said.

He wishes to go on record to say he and his family are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I support any Canadian who is medically able to get vaccinated,” he said.

He also understands that there are those who choose not to get vaccinated and says he supports regular testing if they choose that route.

He feels that an election in the middle of the fourth wave of the pandemic is an election that nobody wants.

“We should be concentrating on recovery and getting out of the pandemic,” he said, “not campaigning.”

Epp says that economic growth rates were at 1.6 per cent prior to COVID, which left the Canadian economy in a precarious position.

“We have to get our growth rates up over three per cent,” he said.

GREG HETHERINGTON Liberal Candidate

Greg Hetherington was born in Orford Township on a farm just outside Thamesville and spent 20 years farming with his family. He graduated from Fanshawe College in Broadcasting/Media.

He currently owns a small business (media company) — Five Amigos Broadcasting — that owns four radio stations and a marketing company. CKXS Radio, which Hetherington started 12 years ago, serves Chatham-Kent.

He’s helped chair, fundraise and organize almost 1000 events in his riding, including the CKHA Foundation.

“I’ve been on the hospital board for 20 years and most recently, chair of the foundation,” he said. “I helped co-chair our biggest fundraising initiative three years ago, where we raised over $7,000,000 for new equipment at the hospital.”

Hetherington also sits on the board of directors for the Children’s Treatment Centre and helped raise over $1,000,000 and assisted over 4,000 families in Chatham-Kent.

“I love people, I love helping and I love to work hard,” he said. “I know what it’s like to be a small business owner, and the hours and commitment it takes to be successful.”

His connection to the community through his service work has given him a solid background on what people need and how he can service them.

“Our riding needs someone with a strong understanding of what our middle class needs, and how we can better service them, and help move forward through the pandemic,” he said.

He says that getting the economy moving forward is one of the top issues of this election, along with helping families get back to work and assist small business.

“Our 10-dollar childcare will help get families back to work,” he said.

Hetherington also sees housing as a local issue that needs addressing. The homeless and affordable housing are one issue with two key problems.

“I’m a hands-on person and like to get involved,” he said.

He and his wife have committed to working with The Bridge in Leamington to assist with homelessness, jobs, addiction and education.

He says the Liberals will double the Home Buyers Tax Credit and also build, repair or preserve 1.4 million homes in four years.

As for COVID, Hetherington says that our health and vaccines are paramount.

“Canada is one of the leaders in the world on getting vaccines available and in the arms of Canadians,” he said. “We need to continue that approach to keep each other safe, and continue to open up the country.”

Mark Vercouteren Green Party Candidate

The Green Party of Canada is excited to announce Mark Vercouteren as their candidate for the upcoming federal election in Chatham-Kent-Leamington.

Mark grew up in Chatham-Kent, spending his teenage years at his family’s fruit stand and greenhouse business, as well as working for various farmers over the years. This experience instilled a deep respect for the role that farmers play in communities across Canada, and the world.

Mark is an experienced campaigner with a love for his communities. Having run for the Green Party of Ontario three times previously, as well as for the Green Party of Canada in 2015 and 2019, he brings a high level of experience to present Green ideas to the people of Chatham-Kent-Leamington.

Mark looks forward to discussing with residents over the coming weeks on building a strong, sustainable and compassionate community.

DAN GELINAS NDP Candidate

Dan Gelinas was born in Windsor and has lived in Wheatley with his wife Mary Beth, for the past 26 years.

Together they have nine children, 26 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Gelinas went to the University of Windsor, where he majored in political science and history.

His work experience includes Chrysler Canada, Navistar, Benteler and Magna.

An avid hockey, lacrosse and baseball coach, he is a member of the Windsor-Essex County Senior Sports Organization.

He also sat on the Windsor Emancipation Committee Board, CC Retirees and Junior Achievement.

Gelinas is the past president of the Essex ONDP Riding Association, Provincial and Federal Council and Convention Delegate.

He was runner-up as the NDP candidate for Chatham-Kent Essex in 2014.

He is in agreement with the NDP election agenda put forth by leader Jagmeet Singh.

“Pharmacare and dental care are necessary programs all the people of Canada welcome and deserve as Canadians,” he said. “Sick leave — fully paid — student debt forgiveness, housing and climate change all must be addressed.”

Dan feels that COVID-19 has become the major issue in Canada and that Canadians must be better prepared to fight any future pandemics by producing our own vaccines.

“Back in the 1980s the government-owned Connaught Labs was producing vaccines here in Canada but allowed to be sold to the French company Merieux (now part of Sanofi) by the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney,” he said.

He believes that the main focus in Chatham-Kent Leamington must be placed on the economy, jobs and infrastructure that includes the building of better roads — especially Highway #3 — bridges and highspeed internet to help the farming community grow and be successful.

He is also a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ2S community and feels that the conversion therapy vote was a grave injustice.

Gelinas travelled to China with the Hon. Lorne Nystrom- PC, promoting Chatham Kent Leamington to investors.

“The federal NDP Chatham-KentLeamington riding needs a strong experienced candidate that will put people first,” he said. “As your candidate I promise to work for a more progressive agenda here in CKL.”

LIZ VALLEE People’s Party of Canada

Liz Vallee is the People’s Party of Canada candidate in the upcoming federal election for Chatham-Kent Leamington.

A request for a bio on Ms. Vallee was not supplied by press time. You can visit her Facebook page for more information and to contact her.