Canadians from coast to coast will be going to the polls on September 20 to elect a new federal government. Here in Provencher, five candidates have been announced so far. To help you make a decision ahead of election day, The Citizen has reached out to the candidates. Let’s get to know them.
Nöel Gautron has lived his entire life in Provencher and cannot imagine putting down roots anywhere else. He has worked for the past seven years in the field of logistics as both a driver and a dispatcher.
Gautron’s family has lived in Manitoba since long before Confederation and he grew up hearing about his ancestors’ way of life throughout the generations. This has stirred his passion for both history and politics and has provoked a desire for Gautron to serve the community.
He says three words to describe himself would be steadfast, honest, and vocal.
Campaign Plans
Gautron plans to canvas as much of Provencher as possible during the short campaign timeframe, with at least one event in Steinbach and/or Niverville.
“Given the tight window we’re working with, it may not be possible to meet everyone I would like, so I would encourage people to visit the party website for reference to the platform.”
Voters can read more about the People’s Party of Canada at their website (www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca). Those who are interested in erecting a yard sign can contact Gautron and his campaign by email (noelgautronforprovencher@gmail.com).
Gautron has also agreed to take part in the September 16 live-broadcast public debate.
Goals and Values: Opposing Vaccine Mandates
“The biggest concerns of the PPC right now are the vaccine mandates and proposed passports, which threaten the fundamental Charter rights of all individuals and drive a wedge into the society,” says Gautron. “The federal government and indeed all governments should not attempt to coerce individuals into making healthcare decisions that are and should remain personal. Therefore, the PPC is focused on opposing these draconian and unconstitutional mandates and other various COVID-19 policies which serve only to divide society.”
The Vaccination Question
On the issue of COVID-19 vaccination, Gautron freely confirms that he is unvaccinated.
“I am indeed unvaccinated,” says Gautron. “I myself, as well as the PPC, adamantly oppose any and all mandatory vaccination programs or policies on the part of the federal and provincial governments. These policies serve only to divide the citizens of our great nation and contradict fundamental Charter rights. As it is a personal medical decision, I would encourage people who are hesitant to consult with their physicians to come to a decision that is right for them as individuals.”
Time for Change
Gautron’s passion includes a distinct focus on fighting to preserve Canadian values and culture and to fight to preserve liberties and values.
“The Canadian value that I most want to preserve and restore are those freedoms contained in section two of the Charter,” says Gautron. “This section of the Charter protects individuals’ right to expression, association, and religion. These form the backbone of our Canadian society and culture, and essentially form the basis for most of the other rights found in the Charter. The values of section two are critically important to the Canadian identity. These values have been under siege for the last year and a half as we have been dealing with COVID-19.”
Gautron says that if he were elected, he would be a strong voice for the constituents of Provencher in Ottawa and that he would “tell Parliament that their fundamental rights are non-negotiable.”
Although support for the Conservatives has been strong in this riding for many decades, Gautron encourages those looking for a change to act now.
“Now is the time to take real action to preserve your liberty,” he says. “You have the opportunity to have your voice heard and help change things for the better. The time to act is now. We are blessed to have a democracy in which our votes still count, so there is always hope.”
As a noteworthy addendum, the leader of the People’s Party of Canada, Maxime Bernier, made national headlines this past June when he was arrested locally after speaking at rallies in Niverville and St. Pierre that went against Manitoba’s provincial public health regulations at the time.
