Andrew Saxton, leadership candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada, made a pit stop in Port Alberni during his 40-day cross country tour.
A long-time conservative and a businessman, Andrew Saxton was the Member of Parliament for North Vancouver between 2008 and 2015. With more than 30 years of experience in both the private sector and in government, Saxton is currently the CEO of a real estate investment firm.
“I was part of the finance team that balanced the budget in 2015 and I’m very concerned with the direction that Trudeau is taking our country right now,” Saxton said. “Finance Canada came out and predicted that we would be $1.5 trillion in debt by 2045 if we keep on going on this spending spree…it’s not sustainable, it’s not fair for future generations.”
In addition to balancing the budget, Saxton is passionate about helping young people get jobs.
“I’ve spoken to so many young Canadians in the last six months who can’t get jobs after getting a university degree. It’s not fair to encourage them to go to university to spend money when they’re not getting jobs after,” Saxton said. “At the same time, we’ve got thousands of jobs going unfilled in Canada. We’re bringing thousands of temporary foreign workers to fill jobs… we need to help young Canadians get that first job.”
Saxton said as Prime Minister he would bring an apprenticeship program to Canada to help young people get the experience and training they need.
Living in North Vancouver now, Saxton said it always feels like home when he visits the Island.
“My mother was born in Comox and my grandfather was the only dentist in the Comox Valley and Port Alberni in the 1920s,” he said.
karly.blats@albernivalleynews.com