McQuail acclaimed federal NDP candidate for Huron-Bruce

The Huron-Bruce New Democratic Party (NDP) held its nomination meeting Sept. 5, at the MacKay Centre in Goderich, acclaiming farmer and environmental activist, Tony McQuail (right), the party's candidate for the coming federal election. 

McQuail first ran for the NDP in 1980 and has been active in the Huron Federation of Agriculture, Huron National Farmers’ Union, and was a founding member of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario. He served three terms as an elected school board trustee and was the executive assistant to Elmer Buchan, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs.

Speaking to a lively crowd, McQuail focused on three Rs – Representation, Regeneration and Redistribution.

“Women and working Canadians got the vote 100 years ago – now it is time everyone’s vote counted toward representation in every election,” he said. “Our current system leaves over half the voters casting ballots with no one to represent them. We won’t have consistent policy on climate change, health care, education, housing – you name it - till the decisions are being made by a majority of MPs who represent a majority of Canadians.”

As to regeneration, McQuail said Canada needs to get creative in order to build a regenerative society and economy that not only sustains but increases ecological and social health. “I know we can do it in agriculture – and I believe with applied ingenuity we can do it across society.”

And finally, regarding redistribution, he said the planet can no longer afford economic growth which results in inequitable distribution of our wealth.

“We need to start sharing the pie fairly and making money in a way that doesn’t destroy the resources on which we depend - by designing a redistributive economy that shares the wealth and provides services to all. Money is like manure – it does the most good when you spread it around.”

McQuail said he is proud of the transformative proposals in the NDP’s ‘New Deal for People’ which can be found at www.ndp.ca/commitments.



Federal NDP candidate for Huron-Bruce, Tony McQuail (centre), is surrounded by his supporters at the nomination meeting, Sept. 5, in Goderich; photo courtesy of Willi Laurie