By CKPG News

Todd Doherty

Candidate Questions: Todd Doherty – Cariboo-Prince George

Sep 10, 2021 | 8:24 AM

Why are you running for office?

 My wife and I grew up here and started our family here. I understand the issues affecting our hardworking friends and families across Cariboo-Prince George and I have been able to successfully advocate for businesses and people who have been left behind by Ottawa.

I’m running to continue being a strong, proven voice for our region. We have so much potential here in the north, and we need someone in Ottawa who will stand up and fight back against reckless policies that have hurt our communities. There is more work to do, and I am ready to take on this challenge again.

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

 Climate change is real. We continue to see its impacts across our province and right here at home; with increased flooding and the devastating wildfires, in 2017 & 2018 our region experienced these impacts firsthand.

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Key points of our plan to tackle climate change include: Low Carbon Savings Accounts, lowering industrial emissions, increasing use of renewable natural gas, implementing a low carbon fuel standard, increasing carbon capture, more zero emission vehicles and carbon border tariffs.

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

 Sadly, over the past 6 years we have seen reconciliation become more of a buzzword than anything else.

I am proud to count many of our region’s Indigenous leaders and elders as friends and family.

Conservatives will develop a plan to implement Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 71 through 76. We will fund the investigations at all former residential schools in Canada.

We must ensure that proper resources are allocated for communities to reinter, commemorate, and honour any individuals discovered through the investigation, according to the wishes of their next of kin.

A Conservative Government will provide $1 billion over five years to boost funding for Indigenous mental health and drug treatment programs and will recognize safe drinking water as a fundamental human right.

What’s your stance on the development of pipelines?

 We will make pipelines that bring Canadian oil to export markets a priority.

Pipelines are important for our national economy and we will ensure adequate pipeline capacity by getting Trans Mountain built and making sure that Canada does not lose critical capacity provided by Line 3 and Line 5.

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

 Unlike the Liberal plan, we will provide direct benefits to parents so they can make the best choice for their families.

We have millions of childcare experts in Canada and their names are mom and dad; they should be making these decisions.

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

Conservatives believe that vaccines are the best way to get Canada on the other side of this pandemic. We encourage Canadians to get vaccinated if they are able to but understand that in a free society, personal health decisions are exactly that: personal.

Rather than imposing a mandate with punitive consequences for unvaccinated Canadians, Conservatives understand there are reasonable alternatives to vaccination, such as rapid testing, that can and must be more widely available.

What would you do to help seniors?

Conservatives will help seniors stay in their own homes by amending the Home Accessibility Tax Credit by increasing the limit from $10,000 per dwelling to $10,000 per person.

We will help the many Canadians who are taking care of their parents by introducing the Canada Seniors Care Benefit, paying $200 per month per household to any Canadian who is living with and taking care of a parent over the age of 70.

How would you address the opioid crisis?

The opioid crisis is a national public health emergency.

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.

Conservatives also support innovative approaches to address the crises of mental health challenges and addiction, such as treatment programs developed and managed by Indigenous communities to enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate addictions treatment and prevention services in First Nations communities with high needs.

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

Kelly and I raised our family in Prince George and we still live here in the community. Both Kelly and I have significant familial ties throughout our riding, and count Williams Lake as our hometown. In non-COVID times, we spend a considerable time throughout the riding attending & supporting the many events that take place in our communities throughout the year.

We are spoiled here in Cariboo-Prince George with an abundance of rivers, lakes & streams & naturally beautiful places & attractions. Our favourite places include Riverside Park in Vanderhoof, Barkerville, Hixon Falls, Farwell Canyon, Likely / Horsefly, Quesnel Forks and the Chilcotin.

 Who’s your favourite singer/band?

I’m a music fan, so there are several singers I enjoy listening to: Rick Stavely, Corduroy, One in the Chamber, Brett Kissell, Dean Brody and George Canyon – to name a few!