Elgin—Middlesex—London

The candidates in Elgin-Middlesex-London are (in alphabetical order by last name):

  • Brigitte Belton, Ontario

  • Rob Flack, PC

  • Heather Jackson, Liberal

  • Andy Kroeker, NDP

  • Malichi Male, Consensus

  • Matt Millar, New Blue

  • Dave Plumb, Freedom

  • Amanda Stark, Green

We’ve received the following responses from Elgin—Middlesex—London candidates:

Dave Plumb, Freedom

1. What do you see as the most urgent cycling infrastructure needs in your riding?

The Elgin-Middlesex-London riding is mostly rural. I think that bike lanes on provincial highways with 80 km to 90 km speed limits would be a prohibitively expensive disaster for both cyclists and drivers. Within the boundaries of municipalities in the riding, I believe that cycling infrastructure should be a municipal issue and concerns of groups such as yours should be directed to relevant municipal councils.

2. Does your party support the creation of an Ontario Vision Zero plan?

No. The Freedom Party of Ontario does not support more government intervention in any aspect of our constituents’ lives.

3. There are financial incentives for buying electric cars. Would you support incentives for e-bikes as well?

No. The Freedom Party of Ontario believes in a free market economy. It is not the role of government to create, control or destroy a market for any good or service.

4. Do you ride a bike or use other forms of active transportation? Have you had any personal experiences that have informed your views on cycling in our community?

No.

5. Would you support mandatory cycling education in schools?

No. Cycling education is a parental responsibility. I had a bike when I was a youngster. Before I was permitted to ride it on the road, my dad made me pass a backyard driver’s test in which I could prove that I knew the appropriate hand signals and that I could keep riding in a straight line while I looked back over my shoulder to check for traffic. And he made it abundantly clear that if he ever saw me on the road ignoring any of these lessons my cycling privileges would be suspended until next year when I might be mature enough to cycle safely and responsibly. Perhaps that lesson has stuck. I think all parents should take at least that much interest in their childrens’ safety and wellbeing to put in the time and effort to educate their children. Not everything should be the responsibility of the school system.