The North Delta Reporter sent all four candidates in the upcoming federal election a list of questions to help voters learn a bit more about each of them and what they stand for. Candidates were all given the same questions, word limits and deadline.
Below is the response as received from NDP candidate Jason McCormick, with our questions in bold followed by the candidate’s answers in his own words. Here’s what Jason McCormick had to say:
1. Candidate’s first and last name: Jason McCormick
2. Party affiliation: NDP
3. Candidate’s age: 54 years old
4. What neighbourhood do you live in? Ladner
5. How many years have you lived in Delta? Since 2009
6. Have you held elected office in past? No
7. What is your profession? Bus driver (translink)
8. Social media accounts and website: N/A
9. Telephone number voters can reach you at: N/A
10: Why are you running to be Delta’s MP? When I was talking to my friends in the community about the upcoming election, you could feel their anxiety. They felt that they were being forced into a melting pot with only two choices of red or blue, just like the American system. Canada is a mosaic, a multi cultural country and this motivated me to provide them with a viable third option. If we look back at the recent history of our federal government you can see the failures of both the Liberals and Conservatives while they were in power. From failed Liberal economic policies that were utilized to maintain our GDP growth at 2% by increasing our population over the last ten years. The failed monetary policy of both Liberals and Conservatives to keep our dollar at or below seventy cents USD. Thus selling our resources at a discount and decreasing our purchasing power by 30%.
11. What is the most important issue facing voters this election, and what should be done about it? The most important issue is housing and how the increased density has placed an unbearable burden on our infrastructure. Housing as an example is unaffordable simply due to supply and demand. As our population grew so did the demand for all forms of housing. The market has not been able to produce enough new units which has caused both housing and rental prices to triple in the last fifteen years. Following the unprecedented growth in our population, this has further highlighted the lack of infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare that is required to meet our needs at this time. It will take both time and money to solve these problems, which no one wants to hear.
12. Describe one concrete action you plan to take for Delta within your first year in office: My first plan of action will be to seek funding and investment in transportation for our community. Look at how long it takes to travel in and out of North Delta and into neighbouring areas of Surrey. The congestion can be overwhelming. We know that the Massey Tunnel project needs to be completed sooner rather than later, but it will not solve the problem it will just move the pinch points to the Oak street bridge northbound and Hwy 99/91 interchange southbound. I will work with provincial and municipal authorities to develop a plan to keep us moving now and into the future.
13. Candidate bio: Jason McCormick and his wife Shireen have lived in Ladner since 2009. They raised their three children here and have been actively involved in the community. Jason has fought for better public transit for more than 15 years, as a bus driver for Translink he is well aware of the concerns of our commuters. He is committed to supporting our transit needs here in Delta. A community leader in the BC Cycling Association, and the South Delta Basketball Association, growing the latter to more than 400 youth participants. He is an advocate for creating more space for community sports, and he helped to design, build, and maintain the Holly Park Pump Track in Ladner. Jason's priorities for Delta include transit, sports, and health care.
Three other candidates are vying to be Delta’s next MP: Delta Police officer Jessy Sahota with the Conservative Party, former Delta Chamber of Commerce executive director Jill McKight with the Liberal Party, and educator/entrepreneur Natasa Sirotic with the People's Party of Canada. Click on their names to read their responses to the Reporter's questionnaire.
Voters will get two chances to hear directly from the candidates hoping to represent them in Parliament, with all-candidates meetings planned for the evening of Wednesday, April 16 at the North Delta Centre for the Arts (7 to 9 p.m., 1425 84th Ave.), and the afternoon of Monday, April 21 at Northside Community Church (2:30 to 4:40 p.m., 11300 84th Ave.).
Election day is Monday, April 28, with polls open for 12 hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Advanced voting is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 18 through Monday, April 21.
To find your polling station, check your voter information card or use Elections Canada’s online Voter Information Service.
For more information, or to register to vote, visit elections.ca.
