Federal election called, Dowdall on the hustings
When the writ dropped, naming April 28 as the date of the next federal election, Conservative Party candidate Terry Dowdall and his campaign team were already up and running.
Dowdall has represented the riding of Simcoe Grey since October 2019, and is looking forward to continuing his work on behalf of constituents.
He said his team has been gearing up for an election for over a year.
“We knew we’d be heading to the polls no later than October so we’ve had key positions filled for some time,” said Dowdall. “We have more volunteers than in any previous election. They’re out every day now putting up signs and talking to people.”
As the incumbent, Dowdall says he has a good understanding of the key issues people are concerned about.
“I would say that for the last five years, the main issue is the economy and the cost of living. It affects all demographics,” he told The Echo. “Seniors are feeling left behind and finding it harder to make ends meet and young people are worried about whether they’ll ever be able to get into the housing market.”
As he knocks on doors, Dowdall is finding a lot of people concerned about job security, in light of the tariff situation with the United States. While President Donald Trump is creating a lot of stress in the world that we didn’t have before, he also sees an opportunity.
“We need to look east and west and identify new trading partners,” he said. “We need to look at other markets around the world and more inter-provincial trade. Hopefully the relationship with the U.S. will improve over time, but we need to reduce our dependence.”
Dowdall says after the last 10 years with the Trudeau Liberals at the helm, Conservatives are committed to finding ways to balance the budget, adding, “We are now spending more on interest payments than on transfer payments to the provinces.”
Due to a realignment of federal electoral boundaries, the town of New Tecumseth has been removed from Simcoe-Grey and merged with Bradford West Gwillimbury and parts of East Gwillimbury to form the New Tecumseth- Gwillimbury riding.
Dowdall says he is sorry to see New Tecumseth go as he met so many great people in that area and made lots of good friends. He is pleased, however, that the realignment will leave him with more time to focus on the needs of people in the six remaining municipalities in Simcoe-Grey – Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, Essa and Adjala-Tosorontio.
“Ours is still quite a large riding stretching all the was from Highway 9 up to the Blue Mountains,” he said.
In addition to campaigning in his own riding, Dowdall will lend a helping hand to new Conservative candidates in neighbouring ridings like Newmarket- Aurora.
“Between the door-knocking and fundraising, there are a lot of moving pieces and it can be a bit overwhelming,” said Dowdall.
During the campaign, he says he will be attending loads of events and connecting with as many people as possible, encouraging them to get out and vote.
How to vote
Vote in person:
You can vote in person at any Elections Canada office across the country, any time before 6 p.m. on April 22. There is an Elections Canada office at 425 River Road West, Wasaga Beach.
Vote by mail:
You can vote by mail if you apply by April 22, 6 p.m. (Eastern time).
People can vote in person at any Elections Canada office across the country, any time before 6 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 22.
Vote at advance polls:
You can vote at your advance polling April 18-21. The address of your assigned polling place will be on the voter information card that you will receive in the mail.
Vote on election day:
You can vote at your assigned polling place on Monday, April 28. The address of assigned polling places will be on the voter information card that will arrive in the mail.
All information will be posted at www.elections.ca as of April 1. The nomination process for candidates closes on April 7 and a complete list of confirmed candidates will be available on April 9.
