MacWilliams (Center), alongside Ontario Party Leader Derek Sloan (photo taken from MacWilliams' facebook page)
A young challenger to long-time local incumbent M.P.P. John Yakabuski is running for the local provincial seat as part of the Ontario Party.
Kade MacWilliams has thrown his hat into the Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke race.
The 19 year old student currently studying at Carleton University spoke with myFM. He feels the ruling Progressive Conservatives have lost touch with conservative values, which he believes the Ontario Party now represents.
MacWilliams cites a lack of accountability both in parliament and to the residents of our riding as what has spurred him to campaign.
He also cites the way the Ford government has handled COVID-19 lockdowns and kicked sitting members out for disagreeing with them as a major factor in his running.
When comes to within our riding, MacWilliams says that the current and recent governments have not kept their promises.
MacWilliams spoke with residents at a meet-and-greet in Petawawa last week, fielding questions on topics like the COVID-19 lockdowns as well as the potential for outside interests directing decisions made in the provincial parliament.
The Ontario Party was founded in 2018, with current leader Derek Sloan signing on in late 2021 and their first sitting member of parliament, Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, joining soon after following his expulsion from the Progressive Conservative caucus.
(written by Kasey Egan)
