Aitchison aims to hold Parry Sound-Muskoka for the Conservatives

Eric Taschner speaks with candidates from the three major parties running in the Parry Sound riding for the April 28 federal election.

Ahead of the federal election Monday, CTV News Northern Ontario is speaking with candidates looking for votes in ridings across northern Ontario.

Our final riding profile is Parry Sound-Muskoka, located in the southernmost part of the north.

Parry Sound-Muskoka consists of the Territorial District of Parry Sound (excluding the Town of Powassan, the townships of Nipissing and North Himsworth, and the part of the Town of Killarney contained in the district), the District Municipality of Muskoka and the part of the Town of Kearney lying in the Territorial District of Nipissing.

Conservative incumbent Scott Aitchison, the former mayor of Huntsville, was first elected in 2019 and then re-elected in the 2021 election.

Aitchison ran unsuccessfully for the party leadership against current leader Pierre Poilievre in 2022. He argues this election campaign is centred around the question of affordability.

“People have to drive here,” Aitchison said.

“The carbon tax has been really punishing, particularly punishing on communities like mine, where there are a lot of smaller rural communities where people have to drive … Then the inflation and groceries and the housing situation, those are the top issues.”

He said the “fears and those anxieties” and challenges on the cost of goods have “only been exacerbated” by U.S. President Donald Trump’s “crazy rhetoric.”

“We have the right policies. The Conservative plan and the Conservative approach, we’ve been talking about all is this stuff for the last two years,” Aitchison said.

“From the advocacy and that work of Pierre and myself, too, the Liberals have reduced the carbon tax down to zero for now. So you know, we’re fighting for the right things. I’ve continued to fight for the right things.”

The riding hasn’t been Liberal since 2006 when former MP Andy Mitchell held onto the seat.

Hoping to turn the tide for the Liberals is Geordie Sabbagh, a Huntsville volunteer firefighter and school council member.

Sabbagh is promising to stand up against Trump and advocate for more housing.

“The Liberals are going back a bit to the post-war federal housing program and have really kind of stepped in to help build those houses,” he told CTV News.

“What’s exciting for me is that I’ve actually discovered right in our riding a couple of incredible eco-friendly prefab home builders who are also part of the community trust here (who) are trying to do a pilot project for affordable housing in and around the community.”

Confident the Liberals will form the next government, Sabbagh wants to make sure the riding has a “voice at the table.”

“I want to make sure we are there advocating for our area,” he said.

“So that is why I feel I am the best candidate for the job.”

NDP candidate Heather Hay is the current coordinator for Elder Abuse Prevention Muskoka. Hay said it’s time for the richest people in Canada to start paying more in taxes.

“The key element that I’ve been sharing with voters is that this election shows that the fight against the oligarchy is ever so present. This isn’t a left or right issue,” she said.

“We need to start punching up and really make the billionaires start paying their share so the government has the funding it needs to deliver the programs to support us, and the tax burden is taken off the working and middle class.”

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As a long-time teacher and human rights advocate, Hay said she’s the person in the best position to bring concerns from constituents to the nation’s capital.

“Why me? I’ve listened to the voices of those who are marginalized and whose voices are not being heard,” Hay said.

“I believe that I can best represent their stories and their lives in Ottawa and make the changes that will best benefit (residents).”

There is no Green Party candidate seeking election. Running for the People’s Party is Isabel Pereira.

Voters will choose their representative April 28.