HALDIMAND—When Colin Walsh attended a Liberal Party general meeting last October, responding to a request for volunteers, he had no idea he would be running as the Haldimand-Norfolk Liberal candidate in a national race.
“They were going to parachute someone in. I said, ‘It can’t be that. We have to have local representation.’ That’s when they asked if I was interested,” recalled Walsh.
New to campaigning, Walsh currently teaches Grade 7/8 French Immersion at St. Joseph’s School in Simcoe.
He said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady’s recent campaign and victory inspired him to make the leap into politics.
“I thought, ‘That’s what we need. We need people who care about this community,’” he explained.
He posited on why Liberal poll numbers have rebounded in the wake of Mark Carney’s arrival as the new Prime Minister.
“I think it’s shifting because he lands in the middle. He represents both sides in terms of fiscal responsibility, but equality and equity for each member of our community,” suggested Walsh. “That really resonated well with me.”
He added, “We haven’t had a seat at the table to have our voice heard for a long time. If Mr. Carney wins and we win, we actually get that seat. That to me is paramount. There are concerns in this community that need to be addressed and I’d love to be able to fight for them.”
Walsh also discussed some top election issues.
Affordability
Walsh said the Liberals are acknowledging the bumpy ride ahead for Canadians, but “if we don’t invest in our infrastructure, eliminate trade barriers provincially, and put us in a position to open up new corridors around the world for trade partners, we’re not going to improve the situation.”
He backed Carney’s call for smaller, more affordable homes to be included in developers’ plans more often.
“There needs to be opportunities for affordable housing as well in the plans for these areas where development is taking place,” said Walsh, noting how housing prices have “more than tripled in the 13 years I’ve been here.”
Immigration
Walsh said immigration numbers should be tied to availability of infrastructure and that a reduction in overall immigration numbers is necessary.
He also noted, “We need immigration for employment as well. There are certain jobs we can’t fill without them in our community…. Speaking to farmers, they rely on immigration for workers. They rely on them on a yearly basis and those families rely on coming here too.”
He said ultimately this issue is not top of mind for most residents he’s met on the campaign trail: “It’s come up with people I know with very extreme views on it, but in terms of campaigning, it’s housing, affordability, and Trump and the tariffs. Those are the three biggest things, as well as cost of living for seniors in our area.”
Environment
Walsh said it’s our responsibility to invest in caring for the planet, calling climate change a “science-based” reality.
“We’re just renting it. This is for our kids, the next generation,” he said of Earth. “If we don’t take care of it and put them in a position where the needs have been taken care of and addressed, they’re not going to be in a good situation.”
He praised Carney’s plan to drive markets toward green technology by creating investment opportunities in green energy and sustainable programs that will “help in terms of climate change.”
Agriculture
Walsh admitted to having a limited scope of knowledge on the particular needs of the agricultural community, but pledged to learn from and connect with those who have the expertise to guide him in gaining that needed perspective so he can properly advocate for the riding’s vast agricultural needs.
“This is one of the hardest ones. We’re so directly linked with the States in terms of product,” said Walsh.
He added, “I had a friend who drove rig for Scotlynn. He told me the amount of produce that’s shipped around North America from Canada, he said if we stopped, grocery stores would close down.”
Sovereignty
Walsh praised Canadian unity when threatened by the US President, but cautioned that Trump’s tariff plans and annexation comments need to be taken seriously.
“It’s a real concern in terms of the lack of respect he shows our country. I don’t think he understands the pride Canadians have in being Canadian,” said Walsh. “The man is definitely someone that needs to be paid attention to.”
He said that while buying Canadian has been a bit limiting at the stores, “We’re still getting the essentials we need…. We’re eating more fruit, more healthy goods, because I’m finding most of the snack goods are made in the States.”
Reconciliation
With many family members of Indigenous descent, Reconciliation is a top issue for Walsh.
“If we don’t look back at our history and make amends with what has happened throughout our history, or at least learn from it and acknowledge it, we’re doomed to repeat it,” said Walsh. “It’s one of these things we talk about in school … so we can empathize and try and make amends where we can for past wrongs…. I know it’s a touchy subject for some.”
He said that ignoring the issue is “quite frankly disrespectful.”
As for the ongoing land claims in Caledonia, Walsh said, “The longer it goes, the greater the animosity from one side to the other. Having a conversation is step one. You go from there, see where it goes.”
Healthcare
Walsh argued that healthcare should be a national discussion, not just a provincial one.
He called for the three levels of government to work together and find ways of supporting each other towards the common goal of solving some of the country’s biggest health care crises.
