​Incumbent Ben Lobb facing five other candidates in race for Huron-Bruce MP position

Incumbent Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb is squaring off against five other candidates in the April 28 federal election.

Nominations closed Monday, April 7, and the official slate of candidates includes Lobb who is running for the Conservatives, James Rice for the Liberals, Melanie Burrett for the New Democratic Party (NDP), Gregory McLean for the Green Party, Caesar “salad” Pella as an Independent, and Justin Smith as an Independent.

BEN LOBB - CONSERVATIVES

Lobb was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008. He currently serves as the shadow minister for digital government and special advisor to the leader of the opposition on Blockchain Technologies and Crypto assets, and sits on the standing committee on science and research. He is a co-founder of the Conservative Blockchain Caucus.

The Conservative platform includes: scrapping the carbon tax and lowering taxes for Canadians; tackling the housing crisis; ending fiscal irresponsibility; protecting public safety; supporting rural communities and farmers; fixing the energy sector; protecting the environment; creating a national energy corridor; and providing strong support for rural health care.

Lobb and his wife, Samantha, have two sons, and live in Huron County.
 

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JAMES RICE - LIBERALS

Rice was born and raised in the Kincardine area and has deep roots in Huron-Bruce. Growing up as a Crown Ward through Bruce Grey Child and Family Services, he is now a young husband and father. He has seen first-hand the opportunities and challenges that middle class families face every day, and he understands the priorities and issues facing Huron-Bruce.

He attended the University of Guelph where he served as the undergraduate governor and graduated with an honours degree in criminal justice and public policy. He went to law school at the University of Windsor and became a lawyer after working as a judicial clerk for the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories based out of Yellowknife. He is now an assistant crown attorney for the County of Grey and the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General where he specializes in prosecuting serious violent crimes.

Rice ran for Huron-Bruce MP in 2021 and came in second. He is running again because he believes the families of this community need a trusted voice in Parliament who will be a champion for a stronger middle class and help build an economy that works for all Canadians. He is a devoted community leader with a proven record of community service. He will never stop working hard to build a better future for the families of Huron-Bruce – one where everyone has an equal and fair chance at success.

He speaks both of Canada’s official languages – English and French. He and his wife live on a hobby farm outside of Paisley with their two daughters, and a third child expected in June.
 

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MELANIE BURRETT - NDP

Burrett is a dedicated school librarian, proud member of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) - Educational Support Staff, and long-time NDP volunteer. She lives in Egmondville with her husband and daughter.

She is running in this election because she wants to fight for the working people of Huron-Bruce.

“This election is going to be tough,” she says. “We all wish we were living in more stable times, but right now, we need progressive voices more than ever. It’s time to stand up for what we believe in: sanity, moral courage, and the values that have made Canada great.”

She speaks passionately about the erosion of Canadian values under successive governments that have prioritized the wealthy and well-connected over everyday people.

“We’ve been fighting a losing battle for as long as I can remember, with every election pushing us further away from the Canada we know and love,” she says. “The soul of our country has grown smaller, sadder, and meaner. We need to say NO. Enough is enough.”

Burrett’s campaign is built on one simple but powerful idea: better is possible. In this election, Canadians face a clear choice. “Who’s truly working for you? Will the powerful and wealthy continue to run the show, or will we put regular people first?”
 

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GREGORY McLEAN - GREEN PARTY

With a passion for community engagement and the environment, McLean is committed to bringing fresh perspectives and effective solutions to Ottawa that will address the urgent issues facing the region and the country.

He has lived in Bruce County for most of his adult life, is a municipal councillor in Brockton and retired administrator, having worked in both Bruce and Huron counties. He is committed to advocating for policies that support local farmers, small businesses, and families, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the environment and local resources.

His key priorities include: Access to Health Care; Affordable Housing; Economic Sustainability; Social Justice; and Electoral Reform.

McLean brings a wealth of experience in leadership and a deep commitment to the Green Party’s core values of environmental stewardship, social justice, and equity, with a clear vision for a brighter, more sustainable future. He is eager to work with the residents of Huron-Bruce to create a more just and equitable Canada for all.

“I believe that real change begins at the grassroots level, and it’s time for Huron-Bruce to be represented by someone who is committed to the environment, social justice, and the future of our communities,” he says. “Together, we can create a sustainable and thriving future for Huron-Bruce and all Canadians.”
 

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CAESAR SALAD PELLA - INDEPENDENT

Pella lives in Goderich and believes in putting our communities first, whether it’s the local community, provincial society or national interest. He is calling for safer communities in a fairer society; shifting from adversarial politics shaped by the elite’s greed for ever-growing wealth and power, to competitive but co-operative, in-good-faith negotiations between parties for the community’s and society’s benefit.

He says that since 1990, the federal government has said it would make child poverty “history” in Canada by the year 2000, but now, it’s even worse. Meanwhile, 57 Canadian billionaires owned $245-billion in 2023, and $315-billion in 2024, a 29-per-cent increase. At the same time, 2.5-million Canadians struggle below the poverty line.

“We can, and must, do better,” says Pella. “In Canada, every child must eat nutritiously every day, without food banks, and all must have a roof over their heads. This is why I am seeking the Huron-Bruce seat – to help reset our priorities, and help make our Canada a reality we can be truly proud of.”
 

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JUSTIN SMITH - INDEPENDENT

Smith was born and raised in Goderich where he currently manages the Parsons Used Furniture store. He has volunteered with, and for, the community for nearly 30 years, most recently with St. Vincent de Paul, Huron-Perth Crime Stoppers, and Huron and Area Search and Rescue.

He believes in equal opportunity and treatment for all; no one is above the law or should get preferential treatment just because. Tariffs are huge in the news lately and we should sit down like adults with the United States (U.S.) to negotiate instead of retaliating back and forth. Canada cannot force the U.S. to comply because of the hard truth that we are just too small to be effective.

Smith also believes that electoral reform is mandatory because the major urban areas dictate the direction of the country since they always have more seats in the House of Commons and we currently have a prime minister for whom no one in the general public has ever voted.

Along with that, government spending and waste must be brought into check, which will lower and eliminate taxes across the board.

Smith’s main message is to look at each platform and vote based solely on which mostly aligns with your beliefs.
 

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ELECTION INFORMATION

Voting in advance is open now until April 22 at 6 p.m., at the Huron-Bruce Elections Canada offices, located at the Kincardine Curling Club, 277 Penetangore Row, Kincardine, call 1-866-358-5992; or the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, 800 Sports Drive, Brussels, call 1-866-241-7768. They operate Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.

Advance polls run April 18-20, at the Kincardine Curling Club and the Davidson Centre, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Election Day is Monday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check your voter information card or use the Voter Information Service to find your polling station.

For more information about the federal election, visit: www.elections.ca.