Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux became the Liberal candidate for the federal riding of York-Simcoe late in the game.
It wasn’t until September that she was asked to run – leaving little time to build a team, and begin door-knocking.
Instead, Wesley-Esquimaux has been reaching out to constituents largely online, and through a series of meet-and-greets at local restaurants, including Tuesday afternoon’s event at Hay Caramba restaurant in Bradford.
In the interactions, at the door and at the informal sessions, she has heard from constituents which issues resonate.
“Environmental issues,” Wesley-Esquimaux said. “Protection of the lake (Lake Simcoe) is top of mind.”
Lack of affordable housing has driven a housing boom in York Simcoe, fuelling population growth that local municipalities struggle to deal with. “There’s so many people moving into the area,” she said, that it has created new issues, particularly relating to transportation, and the impact on gridlock and pollution.
Wesley-Esquimaux, who teaches at Lakehead University in Aboriginal Initiatives, and is the first Indigenous Chair on Truth and Reconciliation on behalf of Lakehead, was also asked about the Liberal government’s efforts to address inequities in dealings with Canada’s First Nations.
“I work with (Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations) Carolyn Bennett, who I think has done a terrific job,” she said, noting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave his ministers a mandate to take action, and “people have taken it seriously.”
Bennett, in particular “has a very good sense of what is essential,” she said, in trying to develop dialogue with the country’s more than 600 First Nations communities, and encouraging the development of proposals to address local issues.
“Let’s deal with this together, come up with ideas that make sense,” in a local context, said Wesley-Esquimaux. rather than impose a one-size-fits-all formula.
The issue of clean water in First Nations communities is on the way to being addressed, with almost 50 percent of faulty water systems repaired and providing clean water, she said, but the issues identified by the Human Rights Commission in the child welfare systems need more work.
Under the current system, “the more children you have in care, the more money you get,” said Wesley-Esquimaux – something that promotes the apprehension of children. There is a need for a new relationship with the provinces that deliver the services, she said. “There is a need for the system to change. Let’s work together to make change.”
As Wesley-Esquimaux spoke, people dropped by to snack on salsa and guacamole, or order from the Hay Caramba menu, and talk policy.
“We’ve had a number of different events, and people have asked some pretty good questions,” said Wesley-Esquimaux, who acknowledged that she has faced challenges in the campaign. “I live in the riding, and I’ve lived here for a long time… I’m not necessarily an unknown, but I’ve never run for mayor or anything like that.”
She has been receiving support – but whatever the outcome on Oct. 20, she remains committed to the progress that has been made. “You do the best you can do, hand on the baton,” she said. “I’ll still do the work I have to do.“
She’ll be back at Hay Caramba on Oct. 17, from 3 to 7 p.m., available to anyone wanting to discuss the Liberal platform and policies.
