Candidate Questions: Rod Taylor

1. Why are you running for office?

To bring a moral perspective back to Ottawa. To protect innocent human life and to restore respect for the “supremacy of God and the rule of law” as referenced in the Charter.

2. How does your party plan to address the issue of U.S. tariffs?

We would NOT—as the major parties are doing—impose “retaliatory dollar-for-dollar” tariffs on US products. That will only hurt Canadian consumers. We would secure our ports and land borders against fentanyl and human trafficking. We would eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. We would encourage entrepreneurs to build manufacturing facilities in Canada—NOT with corporate welfare but by eliminating red tape and lowering the cost of doing business in Canada.

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

The challenges in aboriginal communities are similar to those faced in our big cities but much more severe due to their isolation from the mainstream: drugs and alcohol, broken homes, shortage of good jobs in the community, lack of clean water or proper sanitation in some areas, safe and affordable transportation.

The CHP would work to resolve outstanding issues of land and resources, insist on workable and affordable access to clean water, etc. and work towards ethical and equal treatment of all Canadian citizens in our courts, our schools and economic opportunities.

4. What’s your stance on the development of pipelines?

Pipelines are a necessary part of our world today. They can be made safer and more environmentally-friendly than in the past. We should embrace the development of pipelines but Canada should upgrade and refine our resources in this country and only sell finished products to other countries. Oil is safer to transport than raw bitumen from the oilsands; upgrading it in Alberta and refining it in BC would keep the jobs and revenues in Canada. We also need a major East-West pipeline corridor to get Alberta oil to our east Coast.

5. How high a priority is affordable childcare for your party? What’s your party’s pitch?

Childcare is extremely important. The very best childcare is the child’s own mother and father. We do not support taxpayer-funded childcare for families where both parents are working outside the home. With both working, they should be able to pay for childcare. A single parent faces different challenges and may need additional help. Government policies should encourage parents to stay together where possible. High taxes sometimes force both parents to work for wages outside the home. We would work to lower taxes and make it easier for at least one parent to stay home with young children.

6. In light of Canada/USA relations, does Canada need to diversify its economy? If yes, in what way?

We should grow and process more of our own food. We should manufacture more of our own tools, appliances, clothing and medicines in Canada. That would provide jobs and reduce our dependence on the US and China.

7. What would you do to help seniors?

We would create more palliative care facilities and more spaces for long-term care and assisted living. We would end MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) and—instead—help seniors to cope with the challenges of aging. We would replace the inadequate CPP (Canada Pension Plan) with a PISA (Personal Income Security Account) that would give workers more control of their pension funds and—in most case—a much greater reservoir for their senior years.

8. How would you address the opioid crisis?

NOT by legalizing drugs and enabling harmful behaviours with the so-called “safe injection sites.” We would recriminalize marijuana and hard drugs and enforce drug laws. We would follow Alberta’s example of mandatory treatment for addicts. We would fight opioids at our ports and land borders with increased security and would impose stiff penalties on smugglers and traffickers.

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

We live in Telkwa, where we garden and grow fruit trees. We love going to Twin Falls on Hudson Bay Mountain and we always enjoy the drive to Prince Rupert along the Skeena River.

10. Who’s your favourite singer/band?

I like Steve Bell, a musician from Manitoba. https://stevebell.com . . . and I love the music of Keith and Kristyn Getty. https://www.gettymusic.com