Q&A: Timiskaming-Cochrane New Blue candidate Stephen MacLeod

With the Ontario election on Feb. 27, TimminsToday asked each of the candidates three questions. Below are Timiskaming-Cochrane New Blue candidate Stephen MacLeod's responses.

What is the top issue in Timiskaming-Cochrane right now? How would you address it?

We have quite a few major issues here in the riding of Timiskaming-Cochrane from health care and lack of doctors and specialists to insanely high taxes, lack of support for our veterans and seniors and last but not least our highways. I believe, especially right now during the winter months that we currently are in, our highways and the safety on them are the most prevalent and in our faces right now. As a trucker myself, I am extremely aware of what's going on on our highways. One of these issues are in regards to maintenance. During a winter event, you can easily tell where one patrol yard ends and other begins as there is no uniformity to the contracts awarded to each location. Another issue is the lack of truck parking and rest stops along our highways. New drivers, especially ones who've never seen snow before, coupled with lack of places for them to pull off in bad weather increases the risk of accidents. This, along with the closure of fraudulent licensing companies, will improve the safety of our roads.

How will you be accountable to and represent constituents at Queen's Park if elected?

I am already working towards creating a team and network across our riding to better serve our constituents. Given the size of our riding, this team is going to be the eyes and ears to hear the concerns and needs across the riding for the times that I cannot be there in person. Once I am elected I also plan on making it a priority to visit each town and community in person and hold open sessions with everyone so that I can make sure they know exactly what I'm doing and fighting for for them, as well as hear any suggestions they might have. I am a firm believer that as their elected representative, I also need to be present and in person as much as possible and when I cannot, the team that will be in place will make sure that I am made aware of every issue that arises so we can address them promptly.

What do you want Timiskaming-Cochrane residents to know about you?

No response was received.

Five people are running in Timiskaming-Cochrane. The other candidates are PC Tory Delaurier, Liberal Rick Ellsmere, Green Kris Rivard, and incumbent NDP John Vanthof. 

Election day is on Feb. 27. Advance polls are open Feb. 20-22.