In Part 2 of TimminsToday's discussion with Timmins-James Bay Conservative candidate John Curley, he addresses how he can knock off the incumbent, the Canada Post issue and why he believes in Stephen Harper.
Q – Many people in this riding are concerned with the Conservative plan to end door-to-door delivery from Canada Post. Why do you think this approach is a good thing?
A - Its a government agency.
There's lots of agencies out there.
They are arms away from the government. I don't care which government is in power, its an arms length away, and you don't get yourself involved in that.
They were losing money and now they've started to make some money.
Everybody has gone to social media, emails, Facebook and whatever else. Christmas cards have been largely cut out. Lots of people have gone away from that.
When you have something, and there's about to be a change, nobody wants the change.
Is it going to better for some people?
No. But on the other hand, they have said that if there's an issue with a disability, a senior, or whatever the case may be, they will look at that.
The other side of the coin is that for some, they've never had that, like in South Porcupine.
There are 80 and 90 year old people who walk to the post office every day.
How do you work that out?
If there's an issue, it can be worked out.
People will get their mail.
Q – What is the biggest change needed in this riding?
A - Well there's quite a few.
I'll start off with obviously, you need to have the voice of the government and the ear of the government.
What we've faced up here is you have the government, then we have the MP representing this riding yelling across the floor, and it hasn't worked.
It has not worked for Timmins-James Bay.
Provincially or Federally its not working by being on the other side of the floor.
There are two parties leading in the polls, and its definitely not the NDP.
So you have a choice of the Liberals or the Conservatives.
The proven track record, balanced budgets, and everything else is the Conservatives.
We can deliver more for the North than the other two parties.
Q – Do you support Bill C-51? Is compromising civil liberties worth it in order to keep Canada safe?
A - I like the fact that we have Bill C-51.
What's happening out in the world here, it is scary.
We've had incidents in Canada, we've had incidents locally.
We have to do whatever we can to protect the country and if Bill C-51 is going to help protect us, then I'm in favour of it.
Why wouldn't you be?
Q – How can the government take better care of members of the Armed Forces and veterans after their service?
A - That's all being looked at right now.
Mr. Harper has made some announcements, he has increased the dollars flowing to veterans.
A lot of their issues that have come forward, he's addressing them as they are brought forward to him.
We do have a lot of veterans who are supporting us.
They went to war for us.
With Bill C-51, and our stance against ISIS, they're supporting the government on this one.
We're going to continue to work with them and help them along the way.
Q – Timmins-James Bay has been represented by the incumbent, Mr. Angus, for nearly 11 years. How can you change the mindset of voters in this riding and take his seat in Ottawa?
A - That's the problem, its the status quo.
I do door knocking.
It's getting out there and listening to the people and hearing what their concerns are.
The other ones might say they do doors, but there's not a chance that they do what I do every day.
You've got to listen to the people and respect what they have to say, and deliver when you get down there.
The good thing is when you start off at the municipal level, I know their needs.
I know what we're lacking up here. I know what the mayor and council are having to fight with on a daily, monthly and yearly basis, and we've got to put an end to that.
We have to get the voice of the government here, and until that happens we're going to have the status-quo for another four years.
It's not a happy place to live in.
You've seen the difference in other communities, let's make the difference here.
This is the year to make it happen, if they don't make the move this year to make a change in Timmins-James Bay, then I don't know what more I can say.
We can't keep the status quo of yelling across the floor. You want to be on the side of the government.
We can do it this time.
Q – Why do you believe in Stephen Harper as Prime Minister?
A - His track record is definitely there.
It's balanced budgets, and surpluses.
He's a true proven leader.
We've got statements of support from Chambers of Commerce and others.
When you have a person who is well respected and doesn't alter, and delivers at the end of the day, balanced budgets and surpluses, and none of these billions and billions of dollars of promises the other guys are coming up with.
I want to try and keep my household at a balanced budget, and so does everyone else.
Where are we going to go with these other guys?
They are offering whatever it takes to get the vote, and Mr. Harper is shooting a straight line here.
There is no other choice.
Q – Why should people vote for John Curley?
A - I've been here.
I'm from here.
My wife is here, my kids are here and my grandchildren are here.
Doing things here in the north, I've been involved.
I'm still involved, even though I'm not on city council, they've got me on the Police Services Board.
I'm the chair of low-income housing for the city.
I'm on the Committee of Adjustment.
I sit on so many other things because people know my work in the past.
They know I'm not just there for my own name, it's to help the community and that's what I've always been about.
Everybody seems to know the work I've done and I think it proves that I'm the best candidate for the job.
