It has been 21 years since the Liberals have held a seat in Essex County, but Chris Sutton is hoping to change that.
Sutton held a meet-and-greet last Sunday afternoon at Burger 67 in Amherstburg to kick off his campaign to be the next federal Member of Parliament.
The last time Essex was represented by a Liberal was 2004, the year that Amherstburg’s Susan Whelan was defeated by Conservative Jeff Watson. Whelan, who became a Cabinet Minister, was the MP from 1997 to 2004.
Sutton and his family who live just outside the county riding boundaries in Leamington, is a Canadian Forces veteran (Navy) a millwright and a farm owner.
“Get to know me as a person and where I come from,” said Sutton.
Where he comes from professionally is 30 years in skilled trades in various sectors and he is now the director of public affairs for the millwright union.
“It has given me an overview and insight on how government runs. My big role was to act as a liaison between the government and the 10,000 members I represent,” he said.
Sutton stated he has lobbied for childcare, immigration and protection of workers.
Asked by the River Town Times why he is seeking office, Sutton replied, “you can only get so far and then you start to run into roadblocks. The only way to make change is you have to get involved and the best way to get involved is to actually run.”
Sutton believes that the biggest issue, not only locally but throughout the country is the imposing tariffs coming from the United States.
“When you destabilize your economy, you risk having inflation,” he said.
While an election date has not been called, the Liberals have gone through a huge transition recently in electing Mark Carney as its new leader and Carney thus becoming the new Prime Minister. Carney has already scrapped the carbon tax and among other initiatives, wants to see more electric transportation.
“This is a leader that is actually listening to what hurts Canadians. He is showing his ears are open,” says Sutton.
The last three federal elections have seen Audrey Festeryga carry the Liberal banner and each time she finished third. Conservative Chris Lewis is seeking his third term.
“We need to get out and talk to people. One of the things I hear is that the country has lost faith in the government as a whole and we need to bring that trust back,” said Sutton.
By Fred Groves