Unsure who to vote for? Want to know more about your local candidates? Black Press Media has asked candidates to provide a short biography as well as answer key questions to help readers understand more about who is running in their ridings in the upcoming federal election. Be sure to check back for updates and videos.
Gary Suddard - Canadian Future Party - Okanagan Lake West-South ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη
Bio
Gary Suddard is a husband, father and grandfather living in Summerland. He retired from 35 years of corporate sales and hobby farming and now enjoys playing pickleball and boating. He was born and raised in Quebec but has lived in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta before settling down for the last 40 years in B.C. He has no political experience, but he believes the left and right have become so polarized that neither are positioned to respect the centrist values of the majority of Canadians. After hearing the collaborative, common-sense message of the Canadian Future Party, Suddard has decided to give a hand in moving this party forward. At 69, he is not seeking a long career in politics but would offer the next four years to do his part for the district and the country.
Questions
1. What will you do to address the rise in non-violent and property crime? In some communities, donation boxes at charity shops have been robbed and in other areas, thefts, shoplifting and related incidents have been seen.
1. This is an issue that requires multiple levels of government working with law enforcement. Police are often stretched too thin to investigate minor crimes and this, encourages growth in these activities.
At the heart of this issue is handling of repeat offenders. Often an offender will commit multiple offences before our justice system is able to process him/her for the first one.
In B.C., we have the Civil Rights Tribunal which is swift and effective for resolving civil cases while avoiding clogging the courts. Although this would be at the provincial level. I would support a similar system for minor criminal cases so they are dealt with quickly and behaviour changed or help provided.
For more serious or continued offending I am supportive of mandatory consequences.
2. Considering numerous expressions of hate in this riding in recent years β€” at least six incidents in Summerland alone since 2020 β€” and considering online bullying and harassment, what changes would you propose to address hate speech and harassment, physically and online?
2. Bullying is assault and should be treated as the crime that it is. Hate speech is also a crime.
I think law enforcement is clear on dealing with bullying and harassment when it is visible and the perpetrator identified.
I am a proponent of mandatory consequences for repeat offenders. More challenging is the online component which is often initiated by false social media posts and magnified by algorithms.
The Canadian Future Party proposes a law requiring that social media platforms be prevented from using algorithms unless offered to and accepted by the user.
I further suggest a step further where all media be required to be labelled opinion, entertainment or news and, if news, should be required to adhere to a level of veracity that could be challenged and where there are consequences for purposeful public deception.
3. The Okanagan Valley has an aging population, In West ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη, 21.4 per cent of the population is 65 and older. In Summerland, that number rises to 31.9 per cent and in Peachland, those 65 and older make up 38.5 per cent of the population. What will you do to ensure there is enough housing and long-term care services to meet the needs of this segment of the population? If this is not an issue you would advocate for, why not?
3. This is a subject close to my heart. Having cared for my father until his death at home and helped my in laws through the different levels of private and public care I am fully aware of the challenges facing the elderly and their caregivers.
Although health care is a provincial responsibility many of the care aides for at home help have come here via special immigration programs.
At home help is critical to providing elderly the most comfort and relieving stress on assisted living and LTC facilities. I would support any immigration program to increase the availability and reduce the cost of this support.
It should be recognized that there are areas of B.C. (Okanagan and Vancouver Island) where this need is considerably higher than other parts of the country. I will help with this issue in any way I can.
4. If elected, how would you advocate for Okanagan farmers who are being impacted by both sides of the trade war? Farmers are having difficulty accessing affordable inputs that are largely produced in the U.S., like fertilizer, and are fearful that they will be unable to sell products south of the border at a profitable price.
4. I have lived in an agricultural community for 24 years so I understand that, to a farmer timing and weather is everything. Now they have a new component – trade war.
I think we are waking up to the fact that we need new markets and new suppliers and I hope we will continue the process to disentangle ourselves from the U.S. even if tariffs are resolved quickly.
We must eliminate all interprovincial trade barriers and look for new markets. Counter-tariffs income should be used to support farmers in the interim.
5. If elected and your party doesn’t form as government, how will you best represent your riding?
5. We realize that our new party cannot form a government this time but we still have an important role to play.
I expect an important part of my local role would involve in assisting in immigration issues relating to health care and temporary workers.
The Canadian Future Party is a collaborative party ready to offer our ideas and votes for the good of our country.
For me, the best part of the CFP platform is that every MP is encouraged to vote their own conscience and for the benefit of their constituency.
I will always vote for what is best for the Okanagan and my party will encourage that.
