HALDIMAND—Christian Heritage Party (CHP) candidate for Haldimand-Norfolk Lily Eggink describes herself as a volunteer who cares for those around her, a single mother who is courageous, a small business owner who does not take things for granted, and a missionary who fights for what is right.
Eggink is an active volunteer, having worked with Parkview Meadows Retirement Home, Churches Out Serving, and Jarvis & Cayuga Food Banks.
“I volunteer at church and Hope Harbour Ministries feeding the homeless of H-N. I was a missionary in the Philippines and am a missionary with Power at Work in Guatemala and a relief pilot missionary with Hope From Above Ministries in Haiti,” she shared. “I have the experience of struggle and success. My care, courage, wisdom, and integrity make me a good candidate.”
Eggink said she understands the concerns facing modern communities like Haldimand-Norfolk, listing single parenting, dysfunctional families, poverty, addictions, health care limitations, educational system insufficiencies, and legal system failures, in addition to barriers to government programs that impact rural communities more than urban centres.
“I know success. I am 18 years sober. I raised my boys on my own. I graduated (from my) PSW (program) with greatest honours and worked 24 years with elderly, disabled, and palliative clients. I own Gypzy’s Labrador Retrievers, providing dogs to Canada Border Services, hunting, companion, therapy, and guide dogs for 12 years,” she said.
Eggink shared her thoughts on some top issues.
Affordability
Eggink said the CHP would eliminate carbon tax, noting, “CO2 is good for plants,” and would implement a “Fair Tax based on what you spend, not what you earn.”
She pledged that under a CHP government, Canadians would no longer pay income tax, death tax, or inheritance tax, and the party would introduce a Personal Income Security Account for working Canadians, calling it a “self-managed, personal savings account for workplace deductions. It would be available for unemployment, disability and retirement. In Chile, PISA holders retire with substantial savings.”
“Work more, put more in your pocket. Spend less, pay less taxes,” she said.
Immigration
Eggink called immigration a “privilege, not a right,” stating that Canada’s first responsibility should be citizen safety.
“Canada has a right to determine who will be admitted. Immigrants are obligated to become self-sufficient quickly and to respect Canada’s laws and Christian heritage. Deportation should be employed for crimes committed by landed immigrants,” she said.
Local Environmental Concerns
Eggink wants to see local fish stocks preserved and enhanced.
“Resource management with other industries, such as forestry, mines, and hydro would ensure that natural spawning grounds and channels remain viable. Adequate protection of the habitat (controls on forest pesticide applications, thermal and chemical pollution, municipal waste and sewage disposal, reforestation) must be maintained to sustain natural fish stocks.”
She said a CHP government would enforce strict penalties for impairment of habitat.
“Adequate legislation is needed for federal authorities to enforce catch limits and foreign fishing restrictions within territorial waters,” she added.
Agriculture
On agriculture, Eggink sees soil stewardship as a top issue, “It prevents erosion and loss of nutrients, and improves yields, drainage, and water holding capacities.”
Other issues brought up by Eggink include creating more wetlands, meadowlands, and wildlife corridors which “benefit migrating and endangered species and pollinators, and store excess rain, preventing it from accumulating in lakes. This would greatly reduce the amount of phosphorus in Lake Erie.”
She touched on carbon dioxide again, “Canadians need to recognize that Carbon Dioxide is beneficial to crops and forestry. CO2 enhances photosynthesis, increases leaf area, plant branch, and fruit numbers, water use efficiency, biological nitrogen fixation, and ability to adapt to environmental stresses. It decreases plant water loss through transpiration.”
She believes farmland in the country should be owned by “Canadians and landed immigrants only. The family farm and farm partnership are the most stewardly and efficient uses of land and animals. Ownership of farmland by large corporations should be restricted. We need to promote agricultural trade within our nation by protecting producers from heavily subsidized imported products. Research of farming practices would increase diversification and national self-sufficiency, improving biological pest control, efficient irrigation, soil conservation, uses of wastes for food and fuel, and new systems for handling, processing, and distributing food.“
Sovereignty
Eggink believes Canada needs to safeguard its independence and ensure an effective presence of Canadian forces to “protect our citizens, territory and resources. We have a responsibility to have a strong military to protect from foreign threats and influences which may take our freedom. Canada’s national defence must be a ‘high priority’ item, equipped with the best cost-effective weaponry and resources available.”
Reconciliation
“Canada has unique history, geography, and shared experiences which can unite all jurisdictions and peoples,” said Eggink. “We oppose attempts to divide our nation; we endorse lasting unity and strength.”
She thinks treaty claims should be settled equitably, “having consideration for both the historic and legal rights of both aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians. The Indian Act is outdated and should be abolished. The federal government should commit to recognition of prior occupancy by first peoples, restitution as appropriate, reconciliation leading to full participation in Canadian society for all Canadians.”
Healthcare
Eggink criticized long hospital wait times and referrals to “cities over an hour away.”
She would like to see the federal health care budget apportioned to the provinces based on population to augment provincial medical insurance.
“The CHP would not hinder the provinces from establishing privately funded and operated medical centres, which would provide local delivery of healthcare,” she said. “We need services in H-N.”
