It’s Thursday morning, the day before
Stephen Harper announced the date for the by-election in Guelph, and Frank
Valeriote has the appearance of a man ready to get campaigning. The first time
Liberal candidate faces a long and winding road down the campaign trail. Even
though Guelph is currently coloured red on the electoral map, Valeriote himself
says that he’s not taking anything for granted. “I make no assumptions,” he
says. “I’m working for every single vote that I get,”
In the spirit of not taking anything for
granted, Valeriote says that there is no single issue that he favours above
others, comparing it to being asked which child he loves more. Naturally, it’s
hard to have any conversation with a Liberal candidate without bringing up the
centrepiece of the party’s platform: the Green Shift. “Personally, I think Mr. [Stéphane]
Dion hit the bullseye in such a way that he’s left no more room on the target
for any of the other parties to shoot at,” he says, calling the plan bold,
visionary and comprehensive.
The Green Shift has not come without its
share of controversy, but according to Valeriote people are beginning to
understand that they’re not going to be paying more, but paying differently. “A
large majority of people say we have to do something and they recognize that it
can’t be done without some sacrifice.” Valeriote believes that Guelph can be the
epicentre of growth here in Canada
and that a lot of research being done at the University of Guelph offers
prime research and development opportunities in the creation of a greener
economy.
It all fits into Valeriote’s vision to
improve the future and help the people of Guelph. On the
economy itself, Valeriote says that government needs to be more intentional
with its efforts and offer more support local industry. Of course the Green
Shift will help in this regard, as Valeriote explains, tax credits and
incentives will drive research and innovation which will translate into jobs
and increased investment.
In terms of social issues, Valeriote wants
to see a re-investment in early childhood learning and says that part of Dion’s
plan for Canada is a commitment to cut by 30 per cent the number of people living
below the poverty line within five years. Valeriote’s also in favour of
expanding programs to help new immigrants. He remembers his grandparents’ own
difficulty settling in Guelph and wants to make it easier for the large number of immigrants
coming into the city to become a part of the community.
You can tell the issue’s personal to
Valeriote, who’s lived in Guelph for 53 years, the last 26 of which as co-founder and senior partner
of the Smith/Valeriote law firm on Silvercreek. “It’s not what you say but what
you do,” explains Valeriote, who adds that his skills as a lawyer and an
advocate make him a powerful candidate. “If you look at my record you’ll see
that I’m a doer not a sayer.”
His only previous elected position is as a
member of the Catholic School Board. It’s here that Valeriote says he cut his
teeth and earned a reputation as a conciliator and bridge-builder. He served on
the Board during the tumultuous Mike Harris years, which saw much strife
between teachers and school boards. “I entered into teacher negotiations saying
‘this is going to be a win-win,’” Valeriote remembers. “And it was made very
clear that when you announce at the beginning of your negotiations what your
goals are – that everybody will leave this table with something – then you work
towards it.”
Mostly though, Valeriote is anxious to
tackle problems and look for solutions rather than participate in partisan arguments
and joining a polarized parliament. He had some harsh words for Federal Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty saying that he was “taken aback” by the minister’s
comments about Ontario as “the last place” anyone should want to invest in. “I
cannot, embrace someone who’s dismissive in their approach to every issue
that’s brought before them. It’s discouraging that what was promised: openness,
transparency and honesty, has been anything but.”
Valeriote’s up against some pretty high
profile competition this election, but he’s confident that he’ll stand out from
the crowd. “I think the people of Guelph will look for substance over profile and they’ll see substance when
they look at me.”
Stay tuned next week for another
candidate profile. And for daily election coverage go to my blog:
http://guelphbyelectionbeat.blogspot.com/
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