CARDIGAN CANDIDATES
Glen Beaton, Lawrence MacAulay, Wayne Phelan, Christene Squires and Lynne Thiele on the ballot in Cardigan
Meet the five people vying for seat in Parliament
Five people are vying to represent the federal riding of Cardigan in Ottawa.
Voters will cast their ballots in advance polls or on election day, Monday, Oct. 21. Here is a look at the candidates vying for the job.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA
The Who
Glen Beaton, Green Party of Canada,
Cardigan
The resumé
• Born and raised in Alexandra.
• Owner/operator of Vista Bay Golf Course in Alexandra, formerly director of highway safety, director of P.E.I. parks and tourism
Why people may or may not know you
I was the director of highway safety for 15 years. I probably gave you a driver’s licence at some point. I’ve been active in Stratford Rotary for the past 20 years.
What’s the main issue facing your riding this election and what needs to be done?
Climate change. We are watching our Island erode from underneath us. This past hurricane Dorian will result in massive losses for our farmers.
What issue makes your riding unique?
The urban-suburban-rural mix creates a wide variety of issues. The string that ties them all together is living with dignity, whether those issues are age-related, medical, poverty or otherwise. It’s important we understand that not everyone has the same resources, but we all deserve the same outcome, dignity.
Bottom-line me
Glen Beaton is running for the Greens in Cardigan. A golf course operator and former bureaucrat, he says climate change is the biggest issue facing the riding.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA
The Who
Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal Party of Canada, Cardigan (incumbent)
The resumé
• Born and raised in Midgell.
• Seed potato and dairy farmer before entering politics
Why people may or may not know you
Most people that want to know about me, know about me. Everything is pretty public in my life.
What is the main issue facing your riding this election and what needs to be done?
I’d have to say economic growth for the area is always the No. 1 issue. And that involves several files, whether it’s funding for highways and infrastructure projects, the ferry service jobs, helping put more money in people’s pockets and helping our families and seniors get ahead. We’ve done some good work in these areas over the last few years but there’s always more to do to try to improve the economic and people’s lives.
What issue makes your riding unique?
I don’t know if it’s unique to every other riding in Canada but it’s truly a pleasure to represent the people here in Cardigan because we work on every issue together. From boosting economic development to the ferry service to fisheries issues, the people have stood with me and we’ve worked hard to push these issues in Ottawa. So, I would say that the co-operative and generous spirit of the people of eastern P.E.I. is what makes this place unique and such a wonderful place to live and a true honour to represent in Ottawa.
Bottom-line me
Lawrence MacAulay is the Liberal incumbent in Cardigan. He says economic growth for the area is always the No. 1 issue.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA
The Who
Wayne Phelan, Conservative Party of
Canada, Cardigan
The resumé
• Small business owner in Stratford.
Why people may or may not know you
Phelan has helped provide high-speed internet to 1,200 homes in rural P.E.I. He says having four children involved in sports and the arts has introduced him to many people.
What’s the main issue facing your riding this election?
Lack of common sense of government. Residents want to improve their way of life by being taxed less.
What makes your riding unique? No pipe in the strait. No real plan for the ferry. All announcements, no action. Condition of the federal wharves. Lack of support for the small farmers and veterans.
Bottom-line me
Wayne Phelan is the Conservative candidate in Cardigan. A small business owner, he suggests lower taxation could improve residents’ way of life.
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE PARTY OF CANADA
The Who
Christene Squires, Christian Heritage Party of Canada, Cardigan
The resumé
• Born in Baie Verte, N.L.
• Became a P.E.I. resident in 2008.
• Advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Education: masters in arts in theological studies, Liberty University; bachelor in arts, political science/philosophy, Saint Mary’s University.
Why people may or may not know you
Involved in several fundraising events for various charities, including Coldest Night of the Year walk-athon, the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Voice of the Martyrs Canada.
What is the main issue facing your riding this election and what needs to be done?
The loss in moral values, primarily in how it gets played out in the killing of the unborn. When we begin to see human life at certain stages as not being human for the sake of convenience, then we’ve made no more progress in society than during slavery or the genocide of the Second World War. We need to reshape our way of thinking so no segment of society is treated as less than others.
What makes your riding unique? My area is becoming more diverse. In some ways, this is good but the fact that many are leaving for better jobs is placing a huge gap in the community, both socially and economically. I’d like to see more development of industry on the Island that can sustain people in their communities so they can raise their families in the same community in which they grew up.
Bottom-line me
Christene Squires is running for the Christian Heritage Party in Cardigan. An advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities, she says the loss of moral values is the biggest issue facing her riding.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA
The Who
Lynne Thiele, NDP, Cardigan
The resumé
• Born, raised and educated in and taught in Saskatchewan.
• She has a bachelor of education and a masters in arts in leadership. In 2005, Thiele moved to P.E.I. where she has roots from Indian River to Brudenell.
Why people may or may not know you
People may know Thiele from her frequent contributions in the papers about social issues. She serves with the Council of Canadians and the NDP and ran in District 6 in the provincial election. She is a curler, golfer and often a volunteer.
What’s the main issue facing your riding this election and what needs to be done?
Ending poverty is the first issue. People in distress need us to stand together to bring in social housing, universal pharmacare and basic income guarantee. We can then protect our waters from pollution and guarantee public health care.
Bottom-line me
Lynne Thiele is the NDP candidate in Cardigan. She says ending poverty is the main objective.