Provincial parties announce Simcoe-Grey candidates

The Simcoe-Grey Liberals have selected Ted Crysler as their candidate in the upcoming provincial election.

“Ted is a dedicated community advocate, and entrepreneur who brings extensive legal and leadership experience,” said Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca in a news release. “He shows the kind of strong, steady leadership that Simcoe—Grey residents and all Ontarians need, and I believe he will be a fantastic representative for his community.”

Crysler was born and raised in Collingwood and spent every summer at the family cottage in Wasaga Beach.

After graduating from Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Crysler went on to study political science and history, and completed a Masters degree in International Affairs at University of Ottawa before attending law school at University of Toronto. He was called to the bar in 1996 and has since practiced technology and corporate/ commercial law. After 14 years with Rogers Communications, he now has his own Toronto practice.

He also a founder of a health technology start-up, TektiCare, and has a wine tasting business.

Crysler is also a member at First Presbyterian Church in Collingwood and St. Andrew’s Church in Toronto, where he is an elder and the clerk of Session, has been the chair of the Heart of the City Speakers’ Series, and sat on the Growth and Innovation Committee and the Board of the St. Andrew’s Heritage Trust.

Crysler has a 14-year-old son and has volunteered as fundraising coordinator and chair of the school council, and he coached novice and peewee house league lacrosse teams for Beaches Lacrosse. He also serves as the president of a condominium corporation.

Being a strong proponent of public education and health care, an advocate for aging citizens, and a lifelong environmentalist, Crysler is ready to fight for progress in all of these areas as a member of the Liberal team.

“I will champion improvements to public education and health care, advocate for aging

Ontarians, and promote environmental sustainability, while fostering positive politics,” said Crysler. “I look forward to representing my community at Queen’s Park, and I will always fight for them.”

The Green Party is putting forth Allan Kuhn as their candidate for Simcoe-Grey.

Originally from Guelph, Kuhn has been living in Angus for 15 years, working for a not-for-profit organisation that supports adults with developmental disabilities.

“My role is supporting people in a five-acre organic market garden Day Program. Together we create food that we share with homes, and sell at the Barrie and Angus Farmers Markets.”

Kuhn lives with his partner, Patty, three adult children, a golden retriever and a rescue cat.

He has a diploma in Organic Agriculture Management from the State of North Rhine Westphalia, in Germany and is proud to be a member of the Angus Farmers’ Market Committee, and volunteers with Playing For Connor, a local youth and mental health initiative.

“I am standing with the Greens to bring the spirit of cooperation back into our political landscape,” said Kuhn. “The GPO, with Mike Schreiner’s leadership, has brought hope back to Ontario.”

He highlights the party’s platform of affordable-connected-sustainable housing, a more caring Ontario recognizing mental health is health, and a no-nonsense climate plan that will bring urgent and immediate action to the storm battering at our doorstep.

“Currently, the people I speak with are feeling the strain of political polarization and fragmentation,” said Kuhn. “People do not feel listened to, or respected. I know I can bring people in Simcoe-Grey to the table, and together we will solve these massive problems. Together we can.”

The Greens will be organizing their annual Earth Day roadside clean-up on Sunday, April 24 where residents will have a chance to meet Kuhn. Participants are invited to meet at the intersection of Fairgrounds Road and County Road 91 at 11 a.m. to divide into teams. A gathering will follow at Station Park in Stayner.

The Ontario Progressive Conservative party have put forward Brian Saunderson as their candidate, after long time MPP Jim Wilson announced he would not seek re- election.

The Ontario PC Party announced last June that it was appointing a candidate for Simcoe Grey skirting the local riding association’s process of electing a representative.

Saunderson has served in municipal politics since 2014 and was elected as the mayor of Collingwood in 2018. The PCs say Saunderson has championed fiscal responsibility and the integrity of municipal governance striving to improve transparency and accountability.

Prior to being elected, Saunderson practiced law for 22 years primarily focusing on civil litigation, real estate, wills and estates and corporation law.

He also taught business law ethics at the Georgian College in Barrie.

Saunderson was also a member of the Canadian National Rowing Team and competed at two Olympic Games, three World Championships, winning a silver medal in 1990 as a member of the Men’s Eight.

Saunderson will be in Stayner this Saturday, April 23, as part of his Spring Tour. He will be at the Legion, located at 7149 Highway 26, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. RSVP via Twitter @ BrianSaunderson.

The NDP candidate is unknown at this time. The Writ drops May 4 and Election Day is June 2.