Who is Blair?
“Born in Ottawa as part of a military family, I moved often and learned early the value of finding common ground and building new relationships quickly, qualities I embrace to this day,” he says.
“We settled in Edmonton, where I finished my schooling and launched my career. I served as an Officer in the RCMP, Investigator for the Provincial Ombudsman and Federal Immigration Officer. For the last 40 years, I have been a small business operator. With my four children grown, I am settled in the Cowichan Valley where I work and enjoy farming with my wife.”
“I am not a professional politician, and this is a real advantage. I can better relate to the experiences of the people in this Riding because I am living them with you. I am not insulated from tough economic times. During COVID, for example, I had to close my business and wondered if we would open again. It was stressful.”
“I believe in giving back to my community and putting my hand up to help. My parents and my in-laws were the epitome of community; they knew if they wanted their community to work for them, they needed to work for it. I live by their example.”
“With my real-life business and leadership experience, I am excited to work at the national table for you.”
What are you hearing at the door?
“Door-knocking is my opportunity to connect with voters, hear their priorities and know what to tackle first as your MP,” he says.
“The number one issue at the doorstep is tariffs and the trade war. Voters are fed up. Some expressed that they cannot watch TV anymore because they are tired of the messaging coming from the United States. Me too.”
“Second to this issue is housing and rental costs. Without enough housing supply, housing prices and rental prices are at a premium. Other concerns around affordability (e.g. groceries), healthcare, mental health supports, the opioid crisis and its impact on our communities, homelessness, the environment, and funding for the CBC are on voters’ minds.”
“I am also hearing voters feel this election is different. ‘Country over politics’, one voter expressed to me. Several voters shared they are tired of the negativity; this not a time for divisiveness or splitting the vote. More than ever, we need to be united as a country, our sovereignty is at stake.”
The Issues: Tariffs, Housing and Inter-Provincial Trade
Tariffs:
“The tariffs imposed by the United States are a clear violation of our trade agreements and require serious trade and economic responses. I support dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs aimed where they will be felt the hardest in the United States but will have the least impact in Canada. The bottom line? Canada should not bow down to a bully,” he says.
“At the same time, we need to boost investment and support our Canadian workers through what will be a difficult moment. If we can no longer rely on our American neighbours, we must diversify our trading relationships and build new sources of jobs and growth based on our immense resources, our talented people and their innovation and industry. Rather than 13 different provincial and territorial economies, we can create one amazing national economy. Removing barriers to internal trade, alone, would lower prices for consumers by reducing trade costs and would expand our economy by up to $200 billion.”
Housing:
“Homelessness is a complex issue caused by factors like lack of affordable housing, poverty, substance abuse, and systemic issues, including historical trauma and discrimination. This question asks about housing, so that is my focus,” he says.
“This Riding has an average home price of approximately $850,000; a price out of reach for many. We need more affordable housing.”
“Mark Carney’s Liberal government has Canada’s most ambitious housing plan since WWII. During and after WWII, Canada faced a massive housing crisis. In response, the Liberal government of the day built tens of thousands of affordable starter homes for returning veterans and their families. Canada has solved a housing crisis before, we can do it again. A new Liberal government will double the pace of construction to almost 500,000 yearly.”
“Rent prices are the product of supply and demand. Without enough housing supply, rent prices can skyrocket. Our investment in new homes will increase housing supply while reducing rents.”
Riding Issues:
“Voters are telling me the tariffs and trade war are our most important issues. And, the reason is not just economic – it’s cultural – it’s environmental – it’s personal,” he adds.
“I ask voters to think about where to mark their X on the ballot this election. Thomas Mulcair, former Leader of the NDP, summarized it best, “Trump’s threat to Canada means this election must be a choice between the Liberals and Conservatives”.”
“Liberal party leader, Mark Carney, has the economic experience and proven track record to build our economy and lead us through these challenging times. In stark contrast, the Conservative leader has been a professional politician for +20 years with no economic experience. And, let’s not kid ourselves, the Conservatives and Trump Republicans are on the same end of the political spectrum!”
Voters will head to the polls on April 28.
