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Prime minister's early election call another waste of millions in taxpayer dollars, says Thompson

August 3, 2015

Huron-Bruce federal Liberal candidate Allan Thompson says voters he’s spoken to want real change in the Oct. 19 election. They’ll also want to know why prime minister Stephen Harper forced an extended campaign that will leave taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars.

Thompson said that this election ploy is more proof Harper lacks integrity and is using taxpayer money for political gain.

“I’ve met with thousands of people across the riding in the past year, listening to their ideas and concerns, and many tell me they’re sick of Harper’s style of government and want new leadership,” Thompson said in a blog posted to www.allanthompson.ca just after the writ was dropped Sunday, Aug. 2.

“Stephen Harper will have to explain to Canadians how he justifies calling the longest election campaign in modern history, a move that could double or even triple the cost to taxpayers of running an election,” Thompson said.

Regardless, the Liberal party in Huron-Bruce is ready to hit the ground and deliver its message of real change and fairness for the middle class, he said.

“It’s clear where Harper’s priorities lie – he’s more interested in playing political games than he is in steering our economy in the right direction," said Thompson. "And it’s time for us to stop Harper spending taxpayer money for his own gain. (Liberal leader) Justin Trudeau is the right leader to stop Harper in his tracks and to end the misuse of taxpayer dollars for political purposes.”

Thompson said his main message to voters is that it is time for a change and that he is the candidate best positioned to defeat Stephen Harper in Huron-Bruce.

“I will be talking to voters about my hope to restore integrity to politics after a decade of cynicism and secrecy, about making fairness the cornerstone of all policy-making and the importance of our MP providing a strong, rural voice in Ottawa,” he said. “It’s time to start emphasizing fairness for the middle class and to bring integrity back into politics. I trust voters in Huron-Bruce to see through weeks of expensive, American-style political advertising.”

Thompson, 51, was born and raised on a farm near Glammis. A journalism professor at Carleton University, he is a former Parliament Hill correspondent for the Toronto Star. He went to school at Bruce Township Central Public in Underwood and Walkerton District Secondary School and began his journalism career as a reporter with the Kincardine Independent and Teeswater News.

Thompson is committed to building the rural economy in Huron-Bruce and becoming a strong voice for farmers, as well as those who live in the riding’s small towns and surrounding areas. He believes that his farm upbringing, combined with his deep knowledge of how Ottawa works, will help him to bridge the rural-urban gap.

He is also committed to promoting local economic development and looking for ways to make settling down in the region a more viable option for young people who are drawn away to seek schooling and job opportunities.

Thompson has already built a strong team and is keen for volunteers to join by visiting his website at www.allanthompson.ca. People can also call the campaign volunteer centre toll-free at 1-844-396-7880. And of course, they're welcome to drop in at the campaign volunteer centres at 969 Queen St. in downtown Kincardine (near Tim Horton's) or at 43 West St. in Goderich, just off the square.

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