With the federal election approaching, get to know your local Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee NDP candidate: Leah Main.
Who is Leah Main?
Main says she immigrated to Canada from the United States in 1967 and has since been deeply involved in local politics.
“For the last 15 years, I have made my home in the Slocan Valley, in the Village of Silverton, where I have served in the local government since 2009,” said Main.
“I have also served on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, representing British Columbia while talking to other representatives from communities across Canada and working with federal government representatives.”
The Issues: Housing, Economy and Tariffs
Main says the rising cost of living is putting more pressure on working Canadians.
“People are feeling squeezed from all sides: their incomes are not going up as quickly as the costs of food, housing, transportation, et cetera. Much of that is being caused by our relationship with our neighbours to the south,” said Main.
“The tariff and trade war is affecting people with high levels of anxiety, financial stress, people are losing jobs, and they’re seeing companies shutter. All of the things we depend on to feel comfortable in our communities are disappearing.”
Main feels her party will be able to counter Canada’s housing crisis.
“The NDP is proposing a plan to build 3 million homes by 2030 -doubling the current pace – by speeding up construction, protecting existing rentals, and training the workers needed to deliver it,” said Main.
“Some of the tools will be: creating a new Canada Housing Transfer to replace the Housing Accelerator Fund with new money and conditions going to Canadian municipalities, and creating a new Community Infrastructure Transfer to replace the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund going to Provinces and Territories.”
Main says the NDP wants to expand public services, paid for by increasing taxes on the wealthy.
“We will stop giving a free pass to big oil, big banks and big box stores that are making record profits while families are struggling to get by, implement a 3 per cent surtax on the excess profits of big businesses and banks so that money can be put back in people’s pockets, provide expanded dental care, take steps towards a truly universal pharmacare plan and building more affordable housing,” said Main.
Final Thoughts
Main says she is ready to represent a community of any size to the best of her ability.
“Whether a community is small, big, rural or urban, we are all Canadians. We all have the same needs and desires: to enjoy our lives, to feel secure and comfortable, to take care of our kids and our elders,” said Main.
Main says she will use her experience in Ottawa if she is elected as the riding’s MP.
“I’m spending as much time as I can in Vernon, Lake Country and Monashee to get to know our individual communities,” said Main.
“I have experience: 15 years in local government, 11 years in regional government and 10 years working with the federal government on behalf of our municipalities.”
The federal election will take place on April 28th.
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