The Libertarian party will be on the ballot in the Lakeland riding for the 2015 federal election, with Robert McFadzean stepping forward to be the local candidate.
His first run in federal politics, McFadzean's main message for his campaign is minimizing the government, especially when it comes to conducting business.
“My main focus is to put forward the idea that rather than use government to run enterprises, we should turn to free enterprises and free markets,” said McFadzean.
The Libertarian nominee spent 23 years teaching economics and financial management in the agriculture department at Lakeland College.
After being associated with the Libertarian party for a number of years, he decided it was time for people in the Lakeland to have a Libertarian in the ballot.
“What I'm focusing on is encouraging people to change their way of looking at politics. Politics is how we get along with each other and most of us, in our private lives, respect other people's choices and property and I think government should do the same.”
Admittedly, McFadzean said he's aware that the Libertarian party isn’t likely to gain many seats in the House of Commons.
“I don't think I'd have a lot of power in Parliament but I would promote liberty, promote free market, government cutting back on taxation regulation and I would try my best to influence the government in that regard,” expressed McFadzean.
The MP hopeful believes that the government has been continually reeling in individuals’ liberties, particularly in the last 50 years. According to McFadzean, that has led to increased regulations in the private sector and a loss of freedom in the country.
“I like to compare it to trying to drive with one foot on the gas, which represents the private sector, and one foot on the brake, which is the public sector,” said McFadzean. “As the government keeps pushing all this taxation, drawing all these resources out and putting in all of these regulations, it's like driving with the brake on.”
Should the Libertarians come into power in Canada, he said they would be able to turn things around. He cautions, though, that the change must come soon before it's too late.
“That's what our Libertarian party is pushing for right now...if you don't fight for freedom, you lose it.”
Not being a mainstream party, to ensure the Libertarian views are understood McFadzean is hoping to arrange some forums to clarify to residents what the party is all about.
McFadzean says that as he meets with people in the constituency, the people that meet him will realize he's not the typical politician.
“I always tell people I'm not a sharp cookie, I'm not quick, I'm not charismatic, I'm not a smooth talker. I'm just an ordinary Joe out there that thinks we need to change the way we run our governments and I'm going to tell people what I think.”
McFadzean is one of three candidates vying for the spot of MP of the Lakeland riding. In the Oct. 19 election, he is running against Conservative candidate Shannon Stubbs and NDP candidate Duane Zaraska.
