THUNDER BAY – Alan Aubut may not live in Thunder Bay-Rainy River these days, but he called the riding home for much of his younger years.
It’s that intimate knowledge of the area and its residents that convinced him 2021 was the right time to jump into the federal election fray, offering himself up as a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada, a right-wing alternative and offshoot of the Conservative Party of Canada led by former CPC leadership candidate Maxime Bernier.
Aubut says he’s running because he doesn’t like the direction the country is headed, particularly changes that have been made in the past several years under Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government.
He’s also willing to speak up for those who don’t have a voice, something that’s been missing for far too long on the national scene, he said.
Aubut is particularly upset at Canada’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s top of mind for voters he’s spoken to during the summer election campaign.
“They’re just shocked at how our society is falling apart. There is no evidence that this virus is extremely contagious. In fact there’s good solid evidence that it isn’t,” Aubut said.
“We are shutting our country down for something that is really no worse than the normal flu. Why the change? It’s insanity. People are losing their jobs.”
The first-time candidate said the Canadian taxpayers’ money has been thrown away and the country’s economy is being demolished in front of people’s eyes.
“The only party that’s willing to stand up to say enough’s enough is the People’s Party. That’s one reason I got on with them,” he said.
“It’s the first time in my life that I read through the whole platform and I agreed with every item on it because it was reasonable, rational and logical, whereas all the others are virtue signalling at best.”
The party has promised to eliminate inter-provincial trade barriers, respect the rights of legal firearm owners while targeting criminals, fairness for all provinces, balancing the budget in its first term in office, rejecting climate change alarmism while focusing on concrete improvements and a rational approach to COVID-19 that respects the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
Aubut, a geologist, said climate change advocates have got it wrong.
“We have a nice day today. We just take it for granted. We have a terrible storm, oh, that’s our fault. What kind of insanity is that?”
Though his party has been accused of being anti-immigrant, Aubut said he welcomes anybody who comes to the country through legal channels.
That’s not what’s happening, he added.
“Right now, the last few years, they’re just coming across the borders and that’s not fair to those who actually properly applied. (We just want to go) back to rules and regulations that work.”
The election is scheduled for Sept. 20.
