By CKPG News

Bob Zimmer

Candidate Questions: Bob Zimmer – Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies

Sep 10, 2021 | 8:29 AM

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office because I care about our country. From day one I have wanted to make a positive difference locally and nationally and I have. I want to continue that work as a lot more work needs to get done to get our country back on track.

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

Canada’s Conservatives have a serious plan to combat climate change that allows us to meet our targets and reduce emissions by 2030, all while repealing Justin Trudeau’s Carbon Tax. We will fight climate change and protect the environment, but we won’t do it on the backs of hardworking Canadians or by hurting our economy.
Taking climate change seriously also includes not letting critical GHG-reducing projects be held up by red tape and lengthy reviews. We will fast-track review of emissions-reducing projects to get shovels in the ground.

How would you address the challenges facing some Aboriginal communities across our region?

Canada’s Conservatives will work with First Nations and other Indigenous groups to ensure they are partners in prosperity and the development of our natural resources by creating a Canadian Indigenous Enterprise Corporation.
We will also partner with Indigenous communities to implement a “By Indigenous, For Indigenous” housing strategy which has been long called for by Indigenous housing advocates and provide $1 billion over five years to boost funding for Indigenous mental health and drug treatment programs, including providing culturally appropriate supports.

What’s your stance on the development of pipelines?

I have always been a champion for our natural resources and recognize the important contributions the energy sector and its workers make to our country. Canada’s Conservatives will continue to support the energy sector as a critical part of our economy and make pipelines that bring Canadian oil and gas to export markets a priority. Canada is blessed with abundant supplies of clean and affordable natural gas and the clean electricity required to create the cleanest LNG in the world.

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How high a priority is affordable child care for your party? What’s your party’s pitch?

Conservatives will put parents back in the driver’s seat when it comes to making the best choice for their children and put forward a proven plan that addresses the child care needs of all Canadian families.
We will convert the Child Care Expense deduction into a refundable tax credit covering up to 75% of the cost of child care for lower income families. This will increase the support that lower income families receive by thousands of dollars per year and provide more assistance to almost all families.

What’s your party’s stance on vaccinations? Should they be mandatory?

Vaccines are the most important tool in the fight against COVID-19. We encourage every Canadian who is able to get one. Conservatives support that Canadians should have access to vaccines and have the right to determine their own health choices. We are in a crisis and Canadians expect reasonable measures, such as rapid testing for those who are not vaccinated, to protect Canadians, especially the most vulnerable.

What would you do to help seniors?

Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to help seniors stay in their own homes, improve the quality of Long-Term Care, and maintain financial security for seniors by ensuring that their pensions are secure.
We will amend the Home Accessibility Tax Credit by increasing the limit from $10,000 per dwelling to $10,000 per person. We will also devote $3 billion of infrastructure funding over the next three years to renovate Long-Term Care Homes across Canada and change legislation to ensure that pensioner have priority over corporate elites in bankruptcy or restructuring.

How would you address the opioid crisis?

Canada’s Conservatives will treat the opioid epidemic as the urgent health crisis that it is. We will invest $325 million over the next three years to create 1,000 residential drug treatment beds and build 50 recovery community centres across the country.
We will also partner with the provinces to ensure that Naloxone kits are available for free across the country and reorient the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy towards ensuring that every person struggling with addiction has the opportunity to recover.
We will also enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate addition treatment and prevention services in First Nations communities with high needs and provide $1 billion over five years to boost funding for Indigenous mental health and drug treatment programs.

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

I was born and raised in the B.C. Peace. Born in Dawson Creek and we live in Fort St. John. We love it here. It’s home! I love spending time on the water fishing. Whether it’s the Peace River, the Sikanni Chief River, or any other northern river.

Who’s your favourite singer/band?

I have a few that I have been listening to lately. A gospel artist named Phil Wickham and I also like some recent songs from Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes as well as The Weeknd.