What you need to know about the candidate

Todd Doherty

Oct 11, 2019 | 12:25 PM

Todd Doherty is running as a Conservative candidate for the Cariboo-Prince George riding. Here’s what you need to know about the candidate:

Todd Doherty

Q: Why are you running for office?

A: The voices of our friends and families of Cariboo-Prince George have inspired me to run, and will continue to inspire me to seek re-election. Over the past 4 years, I have had the honour and privilege of meeting so many individuals throughout our region. It is a truly humbling experience to be in a position to represent them and have a positive impact in their lives.

Q: How does your party plan to address the issue of climate change?

A: Our party has put together the most comprehensive environmental platform ever. New policies will further lower Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen environmental protections, without taking money out of Canadians’ pockets. It is built on three policy principles. Green technology, not taxes, a cleaner and greener natural environment, and taking our fight against climate change globally.

Q: How would you address housing challenges facing some Aboriginal communities across our region?

A: In Budget 2009, our Government committed $400 million to address First Nation on-reserve housing by supporting construction, remediation and complementary activities, such as lot servicing. In 2009, $515 million was allocated to support Indigenous communities with urgent on-reserve infrastructure needs, concentrating on school construction, improving access to safe drinking water, and the remediation and replacement of crucial health and policing infrastructure. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provided $400 million over two years (2009-2011) to build new, and to renovate, social housing on-reserve, and to support complementary housing activities. Going forward, we will maintain large investments in indigenous housing and services. We are not considering any cuts.

Q: What’s your stance on the development of pipelines?

A: Justin Trudeau’s flawed regulatory processes have sent a strong signal to international investors that Canada is not open for business. KinderMorgan was willing to invest $5B into our economy yet our governments uncertainly finally pushed them away. In the last 2 years, Canada has seen over $1B in potential investments leave the country. Simply put, the investor confidence in Canada has disappeared. We need to get responsible resource development projects to YES to ensure economic prosperity.

Q: Should the federal government help those affected by the downturn in the forestry sector? If yes, how?

A: We need to secure a softwood lumber deal. Across our region, we have witnessed numerous mill closures, work curtailment, job loss, emotional and financial stress for the friends and families in our communities. Forestry has been a cornerstone industry in our province for over a century. We need to become a sector that is competitive across the world and looked at as a benchmark for technology, innovation, skills training, and climate change care.

Q: Do you think there should be term limits for MPs?

A: Every 4 years, the voters put us through a performance review and ultimately decide if we should continue to represent them. If an MP continues to be a voice and champion of their region, and delivers, I feel there should be no limit to their term.

Q: What would you do to help struggling seniors in the region?

A: Affordability is a major issue for seniors not only in the region, but across Canada. We know that over 50% of Canadians are less than $200 away from insolvency every single month. We need to ensure that government lives within its means and finds ways to put more money back in the pockets of Canadians.

Q: What is something interesting about you that voters don’t know?

A: My son and I went backpacking throughout China.

Q: Where in the riding do you live? Why? What are your favourite places to spend time in?

A: College Heights. Anywhere my family is.

Q: Name the last Netflix program you binge-watched.

A: Mindhunter