THUNDER BAY — Sabrina Ree says residents of Thunder Bay-Rainy River need a voice like hers in the House of Commons.
Ree is running for the People’s Party of Canada, and as a first-time candidate and farmer, she said the voices of those who live in the riding are not being heard in Ottawa, despite the fact the most recent Member of Parliament was a member of the governing Liberals.
It took far too long for government to act on their concerns, she said.
“The carbon taxes are killing our farms and the Liberal government has not done a thing about that. A vote for the NDP is a vote for the Liberals,” she said, noting the since-removed carbon tax cost her family $15,000 extra a year to run fuel for her tractors.
Ree, also a lab technician, grew up in Oliver Paipoonge and said the one thing she promises to do is to listen to her constituents, particularly entrepreneurs who have been struggling since the pandemic to get back on their feet, dealing with increased costs, inflation and other government obstacles that have prevented them from achieving success.
“Local business is definitely at the forefront of my mind (and) everybody else’s, and above all, I’m an activist in the community for local issues,” Ree said.
When it comes to negotiating with the United States and President Donald Trump, who has threatened the world with trade wars and Canadians with annexations, Ree said the best way to proceed is to meet the president at the business table.
“Negotiate, not retaliate,” she said. “We need a calm leader to negotiate with President Donald Trump. He really respects strong leaders and unfortunately, with the lost Liberal decade, we have not had that. And (Liberal Leader Mark) Carney was Trudeau’s advisor for the longest time.”
Citing globalism, Ree said the PPC, if elected, would pull Canada out of the World Health Organization, withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord agreements and end its membership in the World Economic Forum.
“Unelected officials are influencing our government and we don’t need that. We need our own. The Canadian people did not elect these people and we don’t want anything to do with those organizations,” Ree said.
She added the country needs to address a health-care system she believes is in shambles, citing long wait times.
Ree also thinks local businesses should be given a $200,000 tax exemption and said the PPC is promising to reduce the size of government.
“Ottawa bureaucrats are always stepping on our neck and filling our boots with mud. I’m campaigning on family, faith, family farming, freedom, respect, responsibility and fairness. That’s the bottom line, and none of our governments have been representing us,” she said.
“I am the key to bringing our issues to Ottawa, and if you vote for me, I will make sure that your voices get heard.”
-- With files from Nicky Shaw
