By TIM BYNG
Barry Fitzgerald plans to make some inroads in Welland-Thorold as the first member of the Freedom Party to seek election in the riding in a provincial election.
The Freedom Party, which was formed more than four years ago and is headquartered in London, Ont., believes "the purpose of government should be to protect an individual's rights, not restrict them," says Fitzgerald, an electrician at Atlas Steels.
The 35-year-old Welland resident said he joined the Freedom Party after becoming "very disillusioned" with the three major parties. He found the Freedom Party to be "sincere".
"With the system of government we're looking for, there would be no special benefits in it for us; whereas all the other parties pander to special interests," said Fitzgcrald, who is married with three children.
Fitzgerald was asked about a number of provincial and local issues by The Guardian. He believes the concept of free trade is good. "The deal that has been worked out does have certain drawbacks," he said, but added that it could be a base upon which to build the principles of free trade in the future.
"We should also take a very close look at inter-provincial trade, which has way too many restrictions," he said.
On the controversial issue of abortion, Fitzgerald said "Abortion is a federal issue. I personally am not in favor of abortion, however, I don't feel I have the right to make the decision for anybody else."
Fitzgerald feels, however, that OHIP funding for abortions should be removed. "I don't think it's right that people who oppose abortion should have to subsidize abortion, which is what is happening now."
Tax reform "is basically just a reshuffling of the pot, and the working man in most cases gets stuck with the bill," said Fitzgerald. "The only meaningful tax reform is to have the government stop spending money."
Fitzgerald believes environmental laws are tough enough, "but the way these laws are administered leaves much to be desired." He said raw sewage is still entering the Welland River despite several calls by himself to the ministry of the environment.
There are also too many levels of government, said Fitzgerald. "We find a lot of duplication of services. This is just a duplication of expenses more than anything else."
Fitzgerald said he supports "freedom of choice" on the issue of Sunday shopping. "It should be up to the individual - the customer and the merchant," said Fitzgerald.
Regarding the situations at Niagara College and the Welland hospital, Fitzgerald said local taxpayers must decide if they want to pay more taxes to fund such institutions.
Fitzgerald said the college's board of governors "has been given the power to decide which courses will be run based on enrolment and financing." When asked about a possible increase in provincial funding, Fitzgerald said "When I look at the amount of money they are putting in there, I think in most cases it would be sufficient if the college is well - managed."
Fitzgerald said he has talked to nurses and cleaning staff at the hospital "and they feel the hospital is not being run very well, and labor relations there seem to be at an all-time low."
When asked where he would allocate monies in the riding, Fitzgerald said there is a "serious lack of funding" for apprenticeship and job training. "I can't think of any instances where the government has created good permanent jobs that become self - supporting."
Fitzgerald said he is also opposed to no-fault auto insurance, saying it will fall into the same pitfalls as the Workers' Compensation plan, "which is the province's first no - fault government insurance plan." Fitzgerald said he and other candidates recently listened to a number of complaints from workers regarding Workers' Compensation.
Regarding day care, Fitzgerald said "The decision to have children is an individual decision; once that decision is made, we don't believe the government is responsible for raising your children."
Fitzgerald said he hopes to increase voters' awareness of the Freedom Party and its views during the provincial byelection, adding, "I'm the first Freedom Party candidate in Welland-Thorold, but not the last."
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last updated on April 28, 2002
