We have reached out to local candidates and asked them a series of questions that are on the mind of voters across the riding. Topics range from what they’re hearing at the door, positions on the trade war, cost of living pressures and more.
Here’s what they had to say, in their own words.
Isabel Pereira
People’s Party of Canada
Tell us about yourself
Isabel Pereira is a long-time resident of the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding along with her husband and children. During her 30-plus years working in the health care sector she has lived and worked in several towns in the Parry Sound and Muskoka areas. Since retiring in 2018 she has become more involved within her community, volunteering at several local organizations and regularly attends local council meetings. She strongly believes in supporting local business and community programs and is proud to call this area her home.
What are you hearing when door-knocking?
I am hearing many issues mostly related to the economy and cost of living in general. Here is a list of what I have heard over the past few months:
- Economy – Cost of Living; Housing; Internal Trade – Eliminating Inter-provincial Trade Barriers
- Firearms – Respecting Legitimate Firearms Owners and Targeting Criminals
- Censorship – Freedom of Expression. Protect Freedom of Speech & Medical Choice
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion – Ending reverse discrimination and restoring equal rights for all
- Global Warming & Environment – Support farmers and local businesses by removing Net Zero Carbon mandates
- Foreign Policy – Withdraw from UN commitments that threaten our sovereignty
What would you do about cost of living pressures in your riding?
I would promote buying local to support local businesses as much as possible as well as encourage local businesses to source their products from within Canada. This support includes the removal of inter-provincial trade barriers. Freeing our economy from these inter-provincial trade barriers would help families and businesses in Parry Sound-Muskoka and across Canada. It would also increase competition, raise productivity, and unite our country, while reducing our dependence on the American market. From an economic point of view, inter-provincial barriers have the same effect as customs tariffs imposed on imports from other countries resulting in higher prices for goods and services. According to a Statistics Canada study, the level of trade within Canada corresponds to what would be expected if each province imposed a 7% tariff on “imports” of goods and services from other provinces.
Why should someone vote for you?
Voters in Parry Sound-Muskoka should vote for me if their principles and values align with the People’s Party of Canada’s (PPC) platform.
The PPC’s four founding principles are: Freedom, Responsibility, Fairness and Respect. These principles guide and inform the policies of the People’s Party. The PPC envision a bright future where the government puts Canadians first, instead of trying to please other countries and global organizations. Where our country is united in pursuit of common goals instead of being divided by identity politics.
The PPC’s goal is to make Canada a place where you and your family can thrive instead of just getting by, and achieve your dreams, no matter how big or small they are.
I believe in the democratic process, the government works for the people and not the other way around. As the elected representative of the constituents of Parry Sound – Muskoka, I will act on their behalf to ensure that the government reflects the will of the people.
What is your position on tariffs and the trade war?
Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries. This means that goods and services will cost more and will have an increase on the already very high cost of living for the people of the country that imposed the tariff. The tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian goods makes those goods more expensive for Americans. If Canada retaliates by imposing tariffs on U.S. goods this “tax” costs Canadian consumers increasing the cost of that good, making life more expensive for Canadians. We cannot control the tariffs imposed on us by other countries but we can control imposing retaliatory tariffs that results in higher costs for Canadians.
Canada should strengthen ties with our existing trading partners: European Union countries, China, Mexico, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Australia, and India. By diversifying our trade relations with as many other countries as possible we are less dependent on US markets and will be less affected by their tariffs.
What are potential solutions to housing affordability and homelessness?
Potential solutions to housing affordability include:
- Cooling down inflation by modifying the Bank of Canada’s inflation target, from 2% to 0%.
- Reduce demand by reducing immigration to a more sustainable level.
- Respect local and provincial governments responsibility for housing policies. Work with provinces to curb speculation purchases by foreign non-resident buyers.
The root causes of homelessness needs to be understood and properly addressed. These problems include financial challenges, health issues, immigration, as well as other problems, such as lack of affordable housing. Housing policies and programs need to be reviewed and updated to appropriately address homelessness. In the 1970s policies and programs were based on a concept of shelter as a basic need for survival and of the obligation of government and society to provide adequate housing for everyone. We should reexamine what was done in the past as well as how other countries such as Norway have addressed this issue.
Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?
I will always put the betterment of the constituents of Parry Sound-Muskoka first. I will support any bill that aligns with the wishes of my constituents regardless of the party that introduces the bill.
As an example, I support Bill C-368 (natural health products), a Private Member’s Bill introduced by the Conservative Party. This bill repeals sections 500-504 of the Budget Implementation Act, 2023 (Bill C-47), which reclassified natural health products into the therapeutic products category, alongside chemical drugs. Bill C-368 will reverse the changes made by Bill C-47. Bill C-368 will ensure that Canadians have continued access to natural health products including supplements and vitamins.
It is an honour to represent the interests of the constituents of Parry Sound-Muskoka.
