After three and half years in opposition, Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams is ready for a big move. To the right hand side of the speaker of the House of Commons.

“My first term was invaluable,” he says. “I spent a lot of time listening and really absorbing what was being said. But now, we are ready to lead Canada in a new direction.”

That’s not to say the Shadow Critic for International Trade and Competition has been idle on the sidelines. His Private Members Bill C-365, to allow implementation of a consumer-led banking system for Canadians, and implement Open banking passed second reading last March. Not bad for a rookie.

“Open banking is really about freedom, and allowing Canadians to put their money where they want to,” he said, noting open banking in the UK saves customers an average of $400 a year.

He’s also helped to develop new draft policies: eliminating exorbitant cell phone fees, grocery monopolies and airline regulations could realize millions of dollars in savings for Canadians.

“These are Canadian pocketbook fixes through better policy.”

A new game

As late as New Year’s Day, CPC leader Pierre Pollierve and his party looked to be cruising to a majority government. On January 19, Canada338 projected 240 seats for the Conservatives. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals were languishing at 37 — below the Bloc Quebecois’s 45.

But then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fell on his sword, eliminating himself as a large, easy target for dissatisfied Canadians.

Then the 47th President, who governs through social media posts, Executive Orders, threats of annexation, and name calling — he advised Canada it was no longer a country but the 51st state — transformed the political landscape. Canada is now a country at war.

MP Williams maintains that while President Trump has chosen to engage the United States’ closest ally and largest trading partner in a trade war, healthcare, homelessness, housing and the lack of affordability are still the key issues.

“Trump’s trade war has shored up patriotism and bound us together with the goal of protecting this country. That’s not a bad thing.”

“This election boils down to who is best to stand up to President Trump and who is best to lead this country in a new direction.”

Get ready

According to Mr. Williams, Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has the plan to ensure and enrich a sovereign Canada by creating new manufacturing jobs while protecting existing ones. New ‘Shovel Ready Zones’ mean the federal government could pre-approve mines, data centres, oil pipelines, and Liquid Natural Gas plants, opening up Canada’s natural resources and rare earth minerals with little regulation or red tape.

A Conservative government would, first, identify areas for large projects; speed up environmental approvals; secure permits from all levels of government; and make Canada ready for business via online applications for pre-approved sites.

Mr. Williams said the wealth generated through Shovel Ready Zones in places like Ontario’s Ring of Fire, Northern Quebec and Atlantic Canada, would fund national health programs like pharmacare and dental care. The wealth would also be shared with Indigenous First Nations communities, many of which are eager to see development proposals move forward.

“It will create hundreds of thousands of great paying jobs that will make sure workers can provide for their families,” he said.

Directions

Completely new questions at the ballot box might have changed the national conversation but it hasn’t changed the needs of the people of the Bay of Quinte. Mr. Williams notes the entrepreneurs and farmers of Prince Edward County are looking for better policy and leadership from the federal government. A government that will support them by making it easier to do business in the tariff era.

“We have been the ones in the House of Commons raising these issues time and again and it’s come down to an election. It’s the most important election in this country’s history. It comes down to whether Canadians want a new policy and new direction or the same policy and same direction.”

All Candidates Debate! The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce and the Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture host the four Federal candidates for Member of Parliament in the Bay of Quinte.
Hear directly from our four candidates about their policies, priorities, and vision for The County and the Bay of Quinte Region. At The Regent Theatre, Picton on Monday 21 April, 6-9pm.