2022 Ontario Election Primer

May 25, 2022

As part of our election coverage, the Frontenac News asked candidates a set of questions last week about their experience on the campaign.

We had already interviewed each of the candidates, and those interviews are available at frontenacnews.ca under a Provincial election banner.

We asked the following questions:

• What have you learned about the riding during the campaign?
• What made you decide to run in this campaign
• What new issues have come up through the campaign
• What personal experience to you bring to the healthcare file that is of interest to LKK voters
• What is your final pitch to voters?

We received written or oral responses from Drew Cumpson (NDP), John Jordan (PC party), Marcin Lewandowski (New Blue Party) Thomas Mulder (Ontario Party), and Marlen Spruyt (Green Party). Amanda Pulker-Mok, from the Liberal Party, gave her answers through an interview.

We did not have contact information for the Independent candidate Craig Timothy Massey Rogers or the candidate listed under the Populist Party of Ontario, Chelsea Hillier, and there was no contact information on the Populist Ontario web page.

The answers are posted below. The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name throughout.

What have you learned about the riding during the campaign?

Drew Cumpson (NDP)

The biggest and most pressing issue that constituents tell me about is how they do not trust the government. Our riding gets neglected, as promises on top of promises are made to the GTA, about building highways and hospitals that will have no effect on Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston and its constituents. People feel no one has really focused on helping this riding thrive. As MPP, I will fight to make sure that Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston gets its fair share of the promises made about housing and social services by all parties, as well as home care that people can access no matter where they live in the riding. I will be a true representative for this riding and its people.

John Jordan (PC)

I have lived in this area all my life and Brenda-Leah and I have raised three children here, so I think along with working in Health Care and Developmental Services I have an awareness of a lot of the issues. The most prominent currently is housing and affordability. If there is something I have learned, it is the severity and impact of affordability from the gas pumps to the grocery store. Like groceries fuel is a necessity in LFK , there are no options. Our businesses and Farmers will need help with this.

Marcin Lewandowski (New Blue)

There are a lot of beautiful hidden places in the riding. I've been driving along remote concession roads, and the beauty of the area still stuns me.

Thomas Mulder (Ontario Party)

I have travelled the entire riding and have found two things. First it is a beautiful and rugged area and second, it is filled with people of widely diverse opinions and views. There has been so much division and fear over the last few years that we need to be extremely careful about everything that is said to try build bridges between some extremely polarized views. Fear and confusion has lead to animosity in families, between friends and neighbours and in our larger communities. We must get back to valuing our fellow human beings even if we disagree on politics or other issues. What unites us is much greater than what has been used to divide us.

Amanda Pulker-Mok (Liberal Party)

With a vast riding like this, without a major city, transportation is key issue right, particularly for lower income and older residents. Developing rural transportation programs, in Lanark as well as Frontenac, is key to the well-being of those residents. Senior's who decide not to drive anymore, should have to move into a city, they should be able to live where they have always lived. We need to be creative here, we cannot apply a city model to rural transportation.

Marlene Spruyt (Green Party)

Its large, and spread out and also is an incredibly beautiful mix of ecosystems; granite, lakes and pines where I live and limestone and rolling pastoral hills to the east, and south. Lots of history and community spirit.

What made you decide to run in this campaign?

Drew Cumpson

I decided to run because more and more families have been pushed into precarity. The current economy makes life unaffordable for everyone except the very rich. Health care professionals are not motivated to work in a system that lets them down repeatedly. All of this is evidence that we are living with the effects of the last two governments, who repeatedly chose the interests of their rich buddies over regular Ontarians.

John Jordan

For the past 21 years I have worked in Health Care and as CEO of ConnectWell Community Health I know the importance of working with partners and all levels of government. Being able to work with people and come to consensus or at least a way forward is a skill I believe I am bringing to the table. With this experience and knowledge of the community I feel I can have a strong voice to make sure LFK is represented

Marcin Lewandowski

The vaccine passport imposed by the Ford Government was a trigger. This policy has set a dangerous precedence. It divided the population into "desirables" and "undesirables". We've seen this already in Europe in the 20th century. It is a slippery slope. Everyone should be cautious about allowing the government to decide who can and cannot participate in the society.

Thomas Mulder

No matter what ones views are about COVID 19 response or the truckers, the government response to both of these matters has revealed a tendency towards violating our democratic rights and freedoms. I was concerned with the way our governments systematically shut down scientific debate and medical professionals who did not agree with public health policies. I have decided to run for office to hold accountable those individuals who have made both serious mistakes and those who knowingly violated laws over the last few years. In addition, these never used before mandates and lockdowns have had a dramatic effect on our economy.

Amanda Pulker-Mok

I ran in 2018 because of my mother's experience with the health care system, and my experience as her advocate, and as a parent and educator. I ran this time with a focus again on health and education, and because this riding has not been represented at Queen's Park, especially over the last four years. I find more people are discouraged by the direction of the party in power and are looking for a change, and I am the best option to provide that change.

Marlene Spruyt

I decided to run because I was frustrated by the Conservative governments handling of the pandemic, their failure to protect long term care, essential workers and vulnerable populations. I was also distressed at how little progress we have made to alleviate poverty and mitigate the impending effects of climate change during the past decade.

What new issues have come up through the campaign?

Cumpson

Governments made repeated cuts to our healthcare, long-term care and education systems, for decades. Stagnant earnings and rising costs decimated constituents’ ability to afford their month-to-month needs in recent decades, which has only gotten worse in the last year. On top of that, current housing policy favours intentional real estate speculators over individuals and families. The Liberals sold our electric utilities to private industry, and Ontarians are suffering as a result. It’s time to govern for the benefit of regular people again.

Jordan

The COVID Pandemic has fast tracked our understanding of technology. It has given all of us some new tools for communicating, reducing travel , accessing services in a more efficient way. Everyone needs reliable broadband and cell service . It is no longer a luxury for our urban areas but a necessity for everyone. People are also aware of our vulnerability, so I am pleased to see Doug Ford’s commitment to changes in Procurement Practices, Long Term Care, Hospitals, and the hiring of more Nurses and PSW’s.

Lewandowski

Currently people are mostly concerned about rising costs of living, especially fuel and food costs. The degree to which people are struggling took me by surprise. Just today I read a Facebook post by a young mother asking where she could find food stamps for baby milk around Smith Falls. Unfortunately these struggles will continue as the supply chains have been broken down by irresponsible lockdowns and the inflation is skyrocketing due to irresponsible spending. Due to total mismanagement over the past two years (Ontario was one of the most restrictive jurisdictions during the pandemic across the western world), things will get worse before they get better.

Mulder

Speaking to those who have had to travel to the larger urban areas for physiotherapy, walk-in clinics and seniors who have suffered from lack of adequate personal support workers has shown me firsthand the wide-ranging consequences of the problem.

Speaking to parents whose young children have suffered as a result of age-inappropriate discussions of gender fluidity and sexual behaviours have reinforced my previous concerns but demonstrated the urgency of getting true reform. I have heard of one classroom in which 6 male students are "transitioning," supported by their teacher but without their parent’s knowledge or consent. That is 600% higher than the national average of gender dysphoria and it ought to be investigated.

Amanda Pulker-Mok

I am hearing a lot about healthcare, which is not surprising, but the amount and variety of concerns is greater than in 2018. No matter what part of the riding I have traveled to, from Harrowsmith to Carleton Place, I run into people who are searching desperately for a family doctor. I have also been hearing from a lot of retirees do not want to go into long term care, especially, and the Liberal plan for home care is something people are interested in hearing about

Marlene Spruyt

Not surprisingly the voters seem most concerned about cost of living; gas, food and affordable housing which has emerged over the past 6 months. Health care is a perennial issue, in particular seniors care: interestingly many appear have let the pandemic fade into history. Concerns are focused on accessing primary care and catching up on the backlog of surgeries especially cancer and joint replacement surgeries.

What personal experience to you bring to the healthcare file that is of interest to LKK voters

Cumpson

When it comes to healthcare, I have a very unique experience. I was thrown into the healthcare system 11 years ago after almost dying in an accident. I spent 16 months in the ICU fighting for my life and learning how to accept a new reality as a quadriplegic. I have lived experience navigating our healthcare system, from intensive care, to acute care, to complex care, and finally to home care. I will bring forward a plan to overhaul the home care system as our seniors age. It is important that they are able to access home care when they need it, to keep them from having to enter long-term care.

Jordan

I am optimistic about Ontario Health Teams. As part of the Collaborative Council for the LLG Ontario Health Team I have witnessed the engagement and willingness to work together by all Health Service Providers. The patient experience is number one as well as the provider experience . Transition from one service to another, knowledge and access to those services and timely availability of services like Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addictions will move the experience dial .

Lewandowski

Ontario healthcare is characterized by bloated central bureaucracy with multiple layers of administration. Like any centrally-controlled bureaucracy, the system is inefficient. Money is being spent on administration, not on the front-line workers. I would work to remove the unnecessary bureaucracy and put more emphasis on patient-facing professionals. These professionals have to be respected and supported. That is why I would also work to repeal Bill-124, which limits wage increases to nurses. Nurses (and all public servants for that matter) deserve an annual wage increase that at least matches the inflation rate.

Mulder

My personal approach to the healthcare improvements are to highlight the need for PSW's to be paid mileage and time for travel, to receive adequate wages for the important care they give and to show them the respect that they are owed for the sacrifices they have made in caring for our elders and vulnerable patients. I will also advocate for better support for doctors in primary care as well as incentives to encourage them to locate to our beautiful area. I will advocate for changes to ambulance funding and standby. Finally, I will work to ensure that physiotherapy and other ancillary health measures are available both in remote areas.

Pulker-Mok

My own experience with the health care system as an advocate was why I ran in 2018. Living in Carleton Place, which is the fastest growing community in Canada, I have seen, and this is also coming from campaigning over the last few weeks, that the need for doctor’s health services is increasing, and that makes the shortage of doctors and nurse practitioners even more acute. We need a real local advocate to advance our interests, something we have not had.

Spruyt

My background in rural family medicine and public health policy provide a solid understanding of practical interventions that can be implemented to improve rural primary care and to improve the health of our communities.

What is your final pitch to voters?

Cumpson

In past generations, people had an easier time getting by. In those generations, they government also did much better to help people get by. Ontario used to build public hospitals and roads, instead of privatising them. Ontario used to invest in education, because the government understood that money spent today meant future generations could bring prosperity to the province. Ontario used to protect workers’ interests, because the government knew that a family who can put food on the table is a family who can benefit their community. Ontario used to treat homes as a permanent place to start your life, or raise your family, not as a speculative investment to be left empty or used as a temporary rental. After decades of Liberal and Conservative cuts, it’s time to begin rebuilding an Ontario where everyone can live and thrive.

Jordan

I did join the Doug Ford Team as a candidate because he is a task oriented leader which is a good fit for me. I think this party can make a significant positive change by: Growing our economy, Investments in Health Care with a focus on Long Term Care and a plan to stay open, infrastructure development which will include Broadband and Cell Phone coverage, Working for workers including great opportunities for careers in skilled labor, Nursing and PSW’s, Keeping Costs d,own which is a major concern for all of us these days

Lewandowki

These are troubling times. Our society is divided. Many constituents have been demonized by our government for the medical decisions they take or political views they support. Such demonization leads to fear and hatred. We have to start respecting each other again. We have to start respecting individual choices again.

Mulder

As a member of the Ontario Party that is based in delivering the democratic freedoms that have been guaranteed in existing legislation, I will be the only candidate that is actually free to represent the concerns of my constituents. The freedom to actually represent the people of this riding is both a heavy responsibility and a fulfilling prospect of advocating for true justice for all and mercy for those victimized by circumstances and government policies. I look forward to being commissioned to do that to the best of my abilities aligned with a party whose principles are Freedom, Family, Faith, Truth, Transparency and Fiscal Responsibility.

Pulker-Mok

I would like to remind people about the failure of the Ford government to protect Ontarians. In his first year in office, he eliminated inspections at long term care homes, and we know what that led to during the pandemic. The Liberal Party are the only viable alternative to the Ford Conservatives, and people in the riding know that I only by voting for me can they change that. And if they want someone to fight for more resources, more services, in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, they should vote Pulker-Mok

Spruyt

Your vote tells your candidate and their party that they have your support. It motivates them to keep working for the changes you want. We have seen during the campaign that the Greens have led the way with respective to several progressive policies. Our strong stance on increasing Ontario Disability Support (ODSP)as a first step to implementing a basic income guarantee resulted in all the other parties juggling to add this issue to their platforms. Many of them also included elements from our housing and our mental health policy papers that had been released earlier in the spring.

So, if you want new solutions consider voting Green.