YORKTON — Alec Guggenmos is making history as the first Libertarian candidate to run in the federal Yorkton-Melville riding.
His candidacy marks a significant step for the Libertarian Party in the region.
"I'm the first one to run for the party here in Yorkton," said Guggenmos in an interview with Â鶹´«Ã½AV.ca.
"I want to give people someone to vote for that they don't feel bad to vote for," added Guggenmos.
Originally from Unity, Sask., Guggenmos has lived and worked in Yorkton for the past two years. He studied geomatics at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and has spent time in Alberta, Fort Qu'Appelle and Langenburg.
Guggenmos acknowledged the challenges of running as an underdog in a riding dominated by larger parties.
"It's a plan to build," said Guggenmos, adding, "I think that's something that most of the candidates have on their mind is hoping to keep building something here."
Guggenmos said his interest in politics began at a young age.
"I sort of grew up conservative and only within the last five to six years is when I started to get into the Libertarian side of things. Eventually it sort of clicked in my head that this makes sense with my worldview," said Guggenmos.
Guggenmos emphasized the importance of individual freedoms and limited government intervention.
"Even if there are things that I don't agree with as a person, I still believe that people have a right to do those things," said Guggenmos, adding, "the more I think of things logically and consistently, that's what leads me to a lot of what I support."
The Libertarian Party's platform for this election focuses on affordability, inflation and reducing the federal deficit. Guggenmos criticized the current economic policies, likening them to a car speeding toward a wall.
"I want to press the brakes. I want to not hit the wall," said Guggenmos.
Guggenmos also expressed concerns about the role of the Bank of Canada in inflation.
"Every day that we have inflation, every Canadian dollar that you own is worth less than it was the day before," said Guggenmos.
Guggenmos pointed to historical examples of the dangers of unchecked money printing.
"We don't have anything in the Bank of Canada that we're putting up as collateral," said Guggenmos, "what's being put up as collateral is the bank accounts of every Canadian."
On electoral reform, Guggenmos advocates for regional proportional representation, a stance not explicitly part of the party's policies.
"I think a lot of the issues that come up every single election ... are because we've pretty much had the same two parties run our government the entire history of Canada," said Guggenmos, citing examples from Europe and New Zealand, where proportional representation systems have led to higher voter turnout and more diverse representation.
Guggenmos also expressed skepticism about foreign aid and provincial equalization payments, arguing for more individual control over financial contributions.
"As people, we can support things overseas and in foreign countries ourselves," said Guggenmos, adding, "I don't think I or anyone else needs to have money taken from my paycheque to decide for us where that money should be sent."
On provincial equalization, Guggenmos took a firm stance.
"The big issue I have with it is not only the taxation part of it. It's also the fact that equalization is taxation without representation," said Guggenmos.
Guggenmos called for a constitutional change to address what he sees as an unfair system.
"No matter how hard something is to change, that doesn't mean you should ignore it and just use it for votes," said Guggenmos.
Guggenmos also weighed in on free trade, emphasizing its importance for Canada's economy. He warned against counter-tariffs, which he said would exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis.
"Canada and the U.S. have become so reliant on each other with trade that this trade war and putting tariffs on the U.S. is going to impact everybody," said Guggenmos.
Despite the challenges, Guggenmos remains optimistic about his campaign and the future of the Libertarian Party.
"If I can try to move the needle for Yorkton-Melville and Canada as a whole to a bit more of a liberty, free society, then that will be a success for me," said Guggenmos.
