With a federal election expected this spring, the Liberal Party of Canada has named its candidate in the Foothills.
John Bruinsma is a political newcomer who decided to get involved because of what he terms a consequential election with long-term impacts for the country.
“If it’s for the long term, and it's for Canada, then it affects my grandkids,” Bruinsma said.
A retired engineering technologist, Bruinsma grew up on a farm in southern Alberta and has a background in industrial automation and controls, where he worked on oil and gas and infrastructure projects. He owned and operated an industrial controls company before transitioning to cybersecurity.
In his personal and professional life, he’s guided by the principles of fairness and of doing what’s right, he said.
“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children,” Bruinsma said.
He said he's been involved in politics at a grassroots level in the past, door-knocking or handing out pamphlets, but needed to be more involved given the “turmoil in the world.”
After looking into various party platforms, the Crowsnest Pass resident said he found a home with the Liberals.
“I felt there was enough policy that they had, that I agreed with, in terms of not leaving anyone behind in these days,” Bruinsma said.
He said part of his platform is making sure the province is fairly treated in case of a trade dispute.
“Alberta shouldn’t be sharing the burden more than everyone else,” he said. “We need to share this burden equally.”
The Foothills has heavy industry, oil and gas and agriculture, but he doesn’t want municipal issues, like housing, to get lost in the shuffle.
“I don’t want to see (municipal issues) taken to a back burner to all the bigger global issues,” he said.
He said "Right to Repair" legislation was passed last fall to promote consumer rights and make repairs more affordable, and his background is suited to advancing those efforts.
Built-in manufacturer controls or copyright laws can prevent users from maintaining or repairing equipment, whether it's a cell phone, tractor or oilfield equipment, he said.
“People want to be able to fix their own equipment, but they can’t,” he said.
Conservative MP John Barlow has held the Foothills seat since 2015 and said last year that he will seek reelection.
The People's Party of Canada said on Feb. 20 that its Foothills candidate, Diego Machado, resigned.
The Green Party and NDP have not named candidates in the riding.
