Henry Thiessen

Candidate Questions: Henry Thiessen – Cariboo-Prince George

Sep 10, 2021 | 8:25 AM

Why are you running for office?

There are several reasons I’m running in this election;

  1. It gives me a platform to speak to the issues of the day.
  2. I am very concerned about the direction we are heading in this country.
  3. And, to bring truth and integrity to politics

 

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

We have to look beyond the propaganda that is being pushed on us by these who have an agenda of profit, power and control. We must be able to have an open and honest dialogue, and we must protect our sovereignty; many of the international climate change accords contain clauses that would sign away our sovereignty to foreign control. Then we can take steps to deal with it. We would abolish any form of carbon tax or cap and trades schemes; they are simply a tax grab, and do not benefit the environment. Furthermore, when it comes to greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is often referred to as a pollutant, when in fact it is a vital part of the cycle of life, plants rely on CO2, which in turn produce the oxygen that we need to live. Even IF we label CO2 as a greenhouse gas, Canada produces less than 2% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with China topping the list at almost 30%, where they have poor environmental standards.

 

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

First of all the Indian Act is outdated and must be replaced with legislation that would include reconciliation leading to full participation in Canadian society. There must also be accountability on the part of the recipients of tax dollars, so that the money will go to those who need it. Having said that, I have spoken to Indigenous people in leadership who have told me that money alone will not solve the challenges that they face. If it did then the two billion dollar compensation package that was given to the survivors of residential schools would have helped. Further to that, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered a historic apology to the same group seeking their forgiveness. Somehow this needs to be dealt with, so we can all move on. We cannot be expected to continue to pay for the injustices of a previous generation.

 

What’s your stance on the development of pipelines?

Pipelines are the safest and most economical way to move petroleum products. Since so many of the pipeline projects have been cancelled, oil is now being transported by rail, which is far more expensive and potentially hazardous. By necessity, railways follow along waterways, lakes and pass through many communities. Our current government is importing oil from the Middle East to supply their needs in eastern Canada, while decimating our energy sector in Western Canada.

 

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

We maintain that parents are the best and primary caregivers for their own children. Therefore, government funded childcare is not a priority for us. In fact, it is counterproductive, since working parents will pay higher taxes to fund these programs.

 

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

We strongly oppose any mandatory medical procedures, and vaccine passports. The Prime Minister has no legal or constitutional authority to implement any such mandate. One of the top constitutional lawyers in Canada described these mandates this way; “Not only are they oppressive, but they are devastating, unscientific, non-medical, illegal, criminal, AND unconstitutional.

 

What would you do to help seniors?

Seniors; Stop killing them! What do I mean by that? Did you know, since euthanasia was legalized in 2016, close to 22,000 people have been put to death by lethal injection – by their doctors, most of them seniors. With the passage of Bill C-7 recently, most if not all of the so-called safeguards were removed. Add to that the complete mis-handling of this so-called pandemic that has left many of our seniors in solitary confinement.

 

How would you address the opioid crisis?

Many of today’s ills can be attributed to the breakdown of the family. Obviously, the people who are trapped in addiction need help, but we need to ask; why are we seeing such a spike in drug use? And put more effort into preventative measures. Typically, government programs of re-habilitation have a dismal track record. We would support programs like Teen Challenge that have about an 80% recovery rate.

 

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

My wife and I live in Vanderhoof, the geographic centre of British Columbia. It’s a great place to live and raise a family. We like gardening, sometimes go on day hikes to places like Greer Creek falls.

 

Who’s your favorite singer/band?

I love gospel music in a variety of genres; at the risk of dating myself, one of my favourite bands is the Oak Ridge Boys.