Lanark Frontenac Federal Liberal Riding Association Celebrates

May 01, 2014

Gerry Fast, president of the new federal Liberal riding association, was all smiles at an event at Sydenham Grace Centre on April 27. Fast said the event was “a birthday party of sorts” to welcome Liberal supporters from in and around the community to celebrate the creation of the new Lanark Frontenac riding, which now includes all of Lanark County and stretches south in Frontenac County to the 401 just north of Kingston.

Fast said he is excited with this new fresh start. “Things are changing and the Liberals are high in the polls right now and we're hoping to see a Liberal MP here after the 2015 federal election.” In attendance were numerous local politicians sporting their red colors including provincial Liberal candidate Bill MacDonald along with other municipal candidates from the area seeking office this October.

The two current federal candidates vying for nomination in the riding were also in attendance. Phil Somers of Sydenham is one who is seeking the federal Liberal nomination. Somers, a retired air force pilot, spent 28 years in the Canadian Air Force. He also worked at the Royal Military College in Kingston and at the National Defense Headquarters as a staff officer for space plans, and also with NATO for six years on ballistic missile defense. Somers said he has become increasingly concerned politically about "what is happening to our government and economy.” Somers cited a survey of residents in the former riding showing that their number one concern was “the state of our democracy”. “My main thrust will be first to help fix the democracy in Ottawa and then to address the specific issues of Lanark and Frontenac."

The second candidate, Philippe Archambault, lives with his wife and three young children in Inverary. Originally from Montreal, Archambault worked for years in Britain and now works at SLH Transport in Kingston as their performance analyst

Archambault has been attending local municipal council meetings and has plans to visit every single one in order to get acquainted with the councilors and with the current local issues. On that subject he said he is aware of the need for affordable housing and better health care for those living in rural communities. He believes that his youth and young family are representative of the new excitement that the Justin Trudeau Liberals are currently experiencing.

Lastly, association president Gerry Fast announced the new table and board members of the association.

Small packets of red stringer beans labeled “seeds of hope” were handed to guests as they enjoyed homemade baked good and beverages.