The Abbotsford News asked local candidates in the federal election on April 28 to respond to three questions, the first two with a 100-word limit and the third with a 150-word limit. The responses for candidates in Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford are below. To read responses from the Abbotsford-South Langley candidates click here.
KEVIN SINCLAIR: People’s Party of Canada
Contact: fraservalleyppc.ca or @kevinsppc on X
1) Why are you running to be a Member of Parliament?
I am running to be a Member of Parliament because I am deeply concerned about the destructive path our country is fixed on, and the blatant neglect and lack of leadership at the federal level to implement practical solutions to make life more bearable for Canadians. A serious and responsible Party would erase the deficit in one year by cutting wasteful spending to sustainably lower personal and corporate taxes and abolish the capital gains tax. This would make life more affordable for everyone and spur on economic growth. (For details visit peoplespartyofcanada.ca and read our policy titled Public Finance.)
2) What skills and attributes do you have that would make you a good elected representative for your constituents?
I would be a good representative for my constituents because I genuinely care, I am a fighter and I have an internal strength that guides me to do politics differently, by courage and conviction. For example, our Party has a policy on abortion. Polls consistently show that most Canadians believe late-term abortions should be restricted unless the mother’s life is in danger. Therefore, I would have no reservations introducing the Protection of Preborn Children Act and unapologetically break the taboo surrounding abortion to encourage an open, respectful, and fact-based discussion on this issue (see policy on abortion).
3) What do you feel are the two biggest issues for your constituents in Abbotsford and how will you address them?
I believe the two biggest issues for my constituents are mass immigration and inflationary deficit spending. Since June 4, 2020 Canada has officially been a “champion country” for the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and REGULAR Migration. According to Canada.ca “as a champion country, Canada will continue to align its national policies and programs with the GCM’s objectives” (May 19, 2022). In 2023, nearly all (97.6%) of Canada’s population growth came from international migration, with the remaining portion (2.4%) stemming from natural increase. We welcomed in 1.27 million immigrants. We simply can’t absorb these numbers. We need to withdraw from the United Nations GCM and impose a moratorium on immigration until we get our housing and health-care crises under control. We need to stop inflation by cutting government spending to erase the deficit so we can SUSTAINABLY lower taxes for everyone and abolish the capital gains tax.
BRAD VIS: Conservative Party
Contact: bradvis.ca, info@bradvis.ca, @BradVisMP on Facebook, @brad_vis on Instagram and @bradleyvis on X
1) Why are you running to be a Member of Parliament?
During this election period, my team and I have knocked on almost every suburban residential address in Abbotsford and here’s what we’ve heard: Under the last 10 years of the Liberal government, costs have skyrocketed, crime has worsened, homelessness has increased, and job opportunities have declined. I understand we need to reverse the trajectory of the current government and fight for the Canada we knew and still love. Our policies will focus on lowering the cost of homes, reversing the disastrous Liberal crime and drug policies, and focusing on the economy for a change. We want to give young people a chance … (cut off at 100 words)
2) What skills and attributes do you have that would make you a good elected representative for your constituents?
As your local MP, I’ve prioritized community service delivery – my office has essentially become a Service Canada campus. I proudly have some of the highest mailing costs in the country as I process so many passports on your behalf. I also have a strong record of raising petitions on local matters like marijuana grow-ops and public safety. I will continue to prioritize your voice in Ottawa – not Ottawa’s voice in Abbotsford or the Fraser Valley. As I started my career as a public servant, I have a unique understanding of the operation of government, and I will continue to use this to get results for our riding.
3) What do you feel are the two biggest issues for your constituents in Abbotsford and how will you address them?
The two biggest issues I hear at the doors every day are affordability and crime. People feel like they don’t have a future here because the cost of living – especially housing – has become unbearable. A Conservative government will unlock more housing supply by tying federal infrastructure funding to the speed of building permits, removing GST on new home construction under $1.3 million, and reimbursing municipalities up to $50,000 per home if they cut development fees. On crime, we will reverse the Liberals’ catch-and-release bail laws, end taxpayer-funded hard-drug programs, and support recovery-focused addiction services with 50,000 recovery beds. These are real, tangible steps to restore hope and safety in our communities.
JOHN KIDDER: Green Party
Contact: greenparty.ca or kidder@telus.net
1) Why are you running to be a Member of Parliament?
Many Abbotsford voters are not happy with the choices offered by the three old parties. Our country faces three overriding internal problems – the growing divide between the rich and everyone else, failure to address the climate disasters from burning oil and gas, and new threats from our traditional US ally. The Conservatives, Liberals and NDP propose more of the same old stuff to address these new problems. Not good enough. Voting Green will show whoever forms government that they need to address these concerns with real new thinking , not just more platitudes and promises.
2) What skills and attributes do you have that would make you a good elected representative for your constituents?
I was born in the North, grew up in B.C., Quebec, Labrador and Ontario and have worked all over the country as a cowboy, miner, range manager, agricultural economist, entrepreneur in software in fibre optics, and governance expert. I have served on numerous boards of private and public companies and business and cultural non-profits. My experiences make me an excellent advocate and a forceful proponent of good public policy.
3) What do you feel are the two biggest issues for your constituents in Abbotsford and how will you address them?
Abbotsford has issues around transportation, education, health, small business, agriculture and others. Similar problems exist all over the country. Greens propose new thinking and national programs. We propose taxes on wealth, excess profits, and on financial transactions – enough revenue to eliminate income tax for people earning under $40,000 a year leading to a guaranteed livable income, for a transportation strategy focused on public transit, for increased health care funding, for a national electrical grid, to refocus our resource economy to add value rather than just “rip and ship.” We’d eliminate the $16 billion annual subsidies to the oil and gas profiteers, to finally begin transition to a renewable energy economy. We propose issuing “Saving Canada Bonds” to buy strategic reserves of critical exports – we’d start with potash to deal with the new bully on the block by targeting his supporters. Our main proposals are reviewed by the parliamentary budget officer.
JEFF HOWE: Liberal Party
Contact: jeffhowe.liberal.ca, @votejeffhowe on Instagram and “Jeff Howe, Liberal Party of Canada Candidate” on Facebook
1) Why are you running to be a Member of Parliament?
This is an important time for Canada and for Canadians. I believe that Mark Carney and the Liberal Party is the only choice in this election, and I want to be part of the team that will defend Canadians and British Columbians at a time of great uncertainty. I was born and raised in Abbotsford and chose to return here to raise my family. I care deeply that the people of Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford have a strong voice in Ottawa and I will advocate for your interests at the table if I’m elected.
2) What skills and attributes do you have that would make you a good elected representative for your constituents?
I am a seasoned litigator with a focus on Canadian Aboriginal law, and have served as general counsel to a First Nation in southern Saskatchewan as well as assisted a large agency in Ontario’s provincial government to fulfill its duty to consult and accommodate obligations to Indigenous peoples. At the same time, as a father and business owner here in Abbotsford, I understand the economic challenges many families and businesses are facing right now, and I will advocate for policies that will build a stronger, more inclusive economy that will serve the people of Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford.
3) What do you feel are the two biggest issues for your constituents in Abbotsford and how will you address them?
British Columbians see the threat south of the border and are worried about our sovereignty and economic resilience in the face of tariffs. A Carney government will fight back against these unjustifiable tariffs by fighting for Canadians workers and businesses, and creating one economy in Canada, not 13 – an economy that is more productive, competitive, resilient, and fundamentally less reliant on the US, made possible by investing in our trade infrastructure and diversifying global trading relationships. I also understand that middle-class Canadians are feeling the pinch right now. We can’t control what Donald Trump does but we can make life easier for Canadians. A Liberal government will invest in measures that will make life more affordable for British Columbians – from cutting taxes for the middle class, to protecting key supports like affordable childcare and dental care, to doubling the pace of construction so more people have access to affordable housing.
JULES COTE: NDP
Contact: julescote.ca, jules.cote@ndp.ca, facebook.com/JulesCoteNDP and @julesndp on Instagram
1) Why are you running to be a Member of Parliament?
I’m running to represent Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford because I was born and raised here, lived here all my life, and I’m a leasehold farmer. And I’ve seen firsthand the crisis working families and farmers are facing. We’re being squeezed by the handful of corporations in control of our food system and the corporations that are owning a greater and greater share of our housing. For working families just trying to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. And for our seniors, who built this country and this community, living on a fixed income is a constant struggle.
2) What skills and attributes do you have that would make you a good elected representative for your constituents?
I started protesting for farmers’ rights at 16, protesting up and down George Ferguson Way for six months through the heat, the rain and the cold. However, I only saw one party stand up for us – the New Democrats. From there I began volunteering with them. As well, I began volunteering with the food bank, Starfish Pack, and my church. And my membership with the National Farmers Union gave me the experience I needed to fight for those that feed us. And now, I’m ready to stand up for all working people.
3) What do you feel are the two biggest issues for your constituents in Abbotsford and how will you address them?
The biggest issues we’re facing are the cost of living and health care. Working families and seniors are struggling with soaring grocery and housing costs. That’s why I’ll push to reform the Competition Act to break the corporate stranglehold over our food system. And why I’ll fight for a ban on corporations buying up our homes and our land. Working families looking for a backyard for their kids shouldn’t have to be outbid by corporations. I’ll also fight for a progressive wealth tax to double federal investment in health care. This would allow us to more than double the number of hospital beds, double the number of medical and nursing school seats, cover tuition, forgive the student debt for those entering family or emergency medicine, and phase out for-profit long-term care for seniors.
