I have decided to commit myself to politics because I want to help lead the positive changes that I feel we need as a nation. Our democracy has been declining for decades. In our current state, MPs are under the pressure of their party leader to fall lockstep in line. Because of that, as citizens, our voices have been lost. I believe that MPs should be responsible to their constituents and not their party leader. We need a culture of co-operation and collaboration in our House of Commons. I have just turned 51 and my wife and I have raised three children. We’re empty nesters during the winters so I feel that I’m at the right stage of my life to invest in public service. I am entrepreneurial enough to have commercial fished my own boats and start my own company, but as an engineer and territory manager I have also worked in bigger companies and have had large customer, personnel and financial responsibilities.
Over the years, we have witnessed a growing disconnect between our government, that is there to serve us, and Canadians. We need to become part of the decision making process again. I had the desire to help get that done, however, felt that the traditional parties are too entrenched in topdown management to progress in that direction. For me, the choice became clear when I discovered the organizational style and breadth of policy of the Green Party of Canada. I want to bring those ideas forward to help restore our democracy and shape Canada into the global leader that we can be.