Matthew Rushton joins Atlantica Party
Platform focuses on health care and education
TRURO, N.S. – Matthew Rushton, a candidate in the upcoming provincial byelection, will carry the flag of the Atlantica Party.
Rushton, who originally was running as an independent, announced his move Thursday, saying the Liberals, NDP and Progressive Conservatives will force him to tow the party line instead of work for the people.
“I cannot support them as they don’t support the MLAS working for the people,” said Rushton. “The Atlantica Party will let me work for the people and they won’t whip the vote.”
As an independent in both last year’s federal election and the March 10 provincial byelection for Truro-bible Hill-millbrook-salmon River, Rushton campaigned for affordable housing, better access to health care and forgivable loans for students staying in Nova Scotia upon graduation.
Rushton says he will be able to keep campaigning for his platform as the Atlantica Party candidate.
“People have told me that they support what I have done, however, the campaign may lack legitimization without party backing,” said Rushton.
The Atlantica Party was founded in 2016 and holds no seats in the provincial legislature. Its platform includes electoral reform, privatization of the liquor market and eliminating both small business and corporate taxes. It also wants to cut personal income taxes.
The riding has been without an MLA since last October, when former MLA Lenore Zann resigned to run in the federal election.
The other candidates include Dave Ritcey for the Progressive Conservatives, the Liberals’ Allan Kennedy, New Democrat Kathleen Kevany and the Green Party of Nova
Scotia’s Ivan Drouin.
Premier Stephen Mcneil announced the byelection on March 10 for both Truro-bible Hill-millbrook-salmon River and Cape Breton Centre.
Registered voters in the upcoming byelection will receive a personalized voter information card outlining where, when and how to vote.
For more information on voting and what’s required, visit electionsnovascotia.ca, @ electionsns on Twitter and the Elections Nova Scotia Facebook Page.