Blair: Let’s lower the cost of living in Nepean

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The Citizen invited Ottawa candidates from the four major provincial parties to explain why you should vote for them. Those who met our deadlines and protocols will be published this week and next. Today: Nepean NDP candidate Max Blair.

“Good things grow in Ontario” is more than a catchy Foodland slogan from a simpler time; it’s a feeling that things are getting better, and brighter days are ahead. It’s that feeling when you can finally go on that family trip you’ve been saving for, or that you can share a meal with a friend or neighbour.

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But today, many are wondering if they will be able to afford a meal for themselves. Many family trips today are people travelling long distance in hopes of securing a family doctor. I’ve taken those road trips, and had to tell friends I can’t take the time to come see them, or have them over for dinner. I’ve missed family milestones because I simply couldn’t afford to go. But worst of all, I know I am not alone.

Life has not been easy in our community. We’ve seen the average price of rent in Barrhaven skyrocket to $2,497. That’s 26 per cent higher than the national average. I’ve lived through the stress of not knowing if I would make rent for the month and want to ensure no one else in our community experiences this. As an NDP MPP, I would prioritize lowering the cost of living using measures such as rent caps and rent control to make life more affordable.

Thousands in Ottawa are without a family doctor, instead relying on online community groups that share tips and tricks for navigating our health-care system without one. I know many people who drive back to Toronto or even further to see their doctor once or twice a year because they can’t find one here. This lack of access is forcing people to be reactive with their health, and driving up health care costs. I will fight to ensure we get the doctors we need so that we can cut down on the 162,000 people without a doctor in Ottawa.

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Our community is rapidly growing, with more and more young families moving in — but transit funding has not kept up. Giving up our transit to Metrolinx is not a solution. I would work to secure operations funding for our city and school transit systems to make sure that regardless of whether it’s a school bus, city bus, or the O-Train, it is there on time when you need it.

You may ask, “How will we pay for it?” I suggest we start by redirecting taxpayer money to initiatives for Ontarians — instead of foreign-owned luxury spas in Toronto (to the tune of $400 per household) and stop trying to bribe voters with their own money. Imagine what could be accomplished if $600 per household were directed towards local schools and hospitals.

I’ve lived paycheque to paycheque as a line cook and lumber yard worker, and I’ve seen the policies that are ignoring our needs first-hand, as a policy analyst and legislative assistant. I am running now because we need real people, who know the problems we are facing, to stand up and do something about it.

Max Blair is the Ontario New Democratic party candidate for Nepean.

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