GRENFELL -.The candidate for the Green Party of Canada in Souris-Moose Mountain is eager to get his ideas out to the public.
Grenfell resident Remi Rheault is running for the party for the first time in Saskatchewan and the second time overall. He was the Greens' candidate in 2021 while he was residing in Kenora, Ont. Rheault said he has no interest in being a "paper candidate" who runs outside of his home constituency.
He says he had Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Party memberships in the past, but now sides with the Greens. He decided to run for the party because of its political structure, which he believes would allow him to represent the people of Souris-Moose Mountain, because he is not required to tow the party line. He compared the structure of the Green Party to that of a co-operative, and he has 18 co-op memberships.
"It actually gives a voice to the people, and should I be elected to represent the people of this constituency, I will be their voice, because I am not working for the Green Party, I am working for the people," said Rheault.
To win in Souris-Moose Mountain, Rheault said he would need to get people out to vote. There are a lot of problems and politicians often get the blame, but he sees voter apathy and low voter turnout as issues.
"We can see the results of poor voter turnout if we just look south of the 49th parallel [to the U.S.]," said Rheault. "So, my hope right now is not just to get elected, because that would be a blessing and such an honour to be able to represent this riding, but to actually get people out."
He doesn't support all of the policies of the Green Party, but there are a lot that he likes, not just for current Canadians, but Rheault thinks they could set a positive tone for future generations. Rheault added he is bothered that corporations are taxed on their net income, while Canadians are taxed on their gross wages. Also, he said raising the basic personal exemption would raise the poverty line and help people, so they don't have to choose between rent, food and medication.
If Canadian voters flip back and forth between the Conservative and Liberal parties, then he doesn't believe actual change will occur.
"We, as people need to take the responsibility that if we truly, absolutely, 100 per cent want a democratic society, we need to vote for that democratic society."
He said he is committed to Canada and Indigenous people. He believes they can work together is Canadians respect the treaties and work together, so he is working with a lot of other people.
"It's not just about me. It's about having a common purpose and humanity is the common purpose. There are things that we are talking about, policies that have no room in the political arena," said Rheault.
If it's good for all, then he reasons it's good for one.
Canadians will go to the polls May 28.
