Green Party candidate says affordability issues are high on his list of concerns if elected

In their own words: Tom Regina, Green Party

Kawartha Lakes Weekly/ The Lindsay Advocate has reached out to all candidates in the local riding in advance of the Feb. 27 provincial election. Over the course of the week, we will feature Progressive Conservative, NDP, Liberal and Green’s as well as all remaining parties. 

Tell me a little about yourself

 I am retired from teaching music at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School where I directed a variety of successful extracurricular bands and ensembles. I am active in the arts community in Haliburton, where I have been a resident for 35 years. I raised my family there and now my grandchildren are also local residents.

Why did you decide to run?

After feeling abandoned by the main party that I favoured for years, I searched for another party that I could support. The Green party offers values and policies that I feel strongly about. I believe that we need more Green MPPs in order to promote sound, caring, achievable solutions.

Is this election necessary? Do you accept the premise it was called under?

Rumours of a snap election were circulating since early last fall, long before the American election or threat of tariffs. Mr. Ford had 18 months of a very strong mandate left to prove his leadership and be able to run on a record of success. Calling this election is a burden of unnecessary expense, to say nothing of the inconvenience of the short time frame and challenging weather we have been experiencing.

What are three key issues that you believe should be discussed in this election and why? What appears to be the number one issue in the riding?

 Healthcare, housing, affordability and reckless spending are the main issues that I hear voters express concern about the most. Over six years, the Ford government has not delivered improvements that keep up with demand across the province. Underfunding has left more Ontarians without a family doctor; homelessness has increased and too many people are being left behind in an economy that is hostile to them. Meanwhile, the Ford government has seen fit to invest billions on projects like turning Ontario Place into a privately run spa, hand out $200 cheques to taxpayers (including multi-millionaires and billionaires), break contracts (early transition of alcohol sales) and to pave over protected farmland and habitat for the benefit of real estate speculators.

What is one idea or program that your party proposes that you are particularly proud of and why?

“People over Profits” is a central Green party value that informs so many policies. “Not for profit” models to deliver essential government services such as health care, housing, child care and elder care will keep budget dollars on task and out of the hands of corporate speculators. It is essential to keep public money for the public good. Corporate greed has no place in the public purse.

Where have you campaigned so far? Has the weather impacted your campaign?

Campaigning in person has been confined to short bursts of visiting neighbourhoods around the riding. The extreme cold and vast amount of snow have made in person campaigning very challenging. I have been answering a lot of emails and making hours of telephone calls.

What kind of reception have you gotten when you knock on their doors?

Knocking on doors is my favourite way of reaching voters. People seem to be pleased to see a candidate at their door. Even if they have no interest in the Green party, I have found that people will express their concerns, when I ask for their opinion on an issue.

Polling firms are predicting a turnout below 40 per cent of eligible voters. Do you agree after being out and about and talking to voters?

Very few people tell me that they have no intention to vote. It is true that the number of eligible voters that actually go and vote is steadily declining. Considering the winter weather we are experiencing this year, voter turnout could be very low indeed. This is a problem that can be addressed through electoral reform so that people will feel that their vote really counts for something. Our current voting system allows for 18  per cent of voters to award 60 per cent of seats to a party which will then have 100 per cent of legislative power. Improving democracy requires that more people can be heard and have their concerns acknowledged. Our “First Past the Post” system is long outdated and actually results in a form of voter suppression, resulting in low voter turnout.