At the campaign office with Ed Crewson

July 23, 2015 · 0 Comments

The Shelburne Free Press took the opportunity to visit Ed Crewson’s newly opened Liberal Campaign Office in Orangeville this week – his home base for the coming weeks, or possibly months, leading up to the Federal Election. His Deputy Campaign Manager Dawn Kelly said the Dufferin-Caledon Liberal Association (DCFLA) was taking a “grassroots approach to his campaign.” Visit his office and you will leave with a handy bag of grass seed to spread that word that Ed is on the campaign trail. “We have a unique candidate who has been locally involved, he is passionate about the area and this will continue when he goes to Ottawa to represent us.”
The office provides a base for volunteers to operate from and a central location for voters to meet Ed and interact with the campaign team. “There is a lot of interest in this election,” said Dawn Kelly,” people are coming in everyday.” She said, “Voters have been expressing concerns about the Harper government and come here to get the right answers about Ed.”
Reflecting on the campaign so far, Ed Crewson said, “It’s exciting meeting new people in different communities and they are listening to what I am saying. We have very talented people on Justin Trudeau’s team – a lot of good, hardworking, experienced people. He is operating as a team not a party of one like Stephen Harper. Our team is made up of good people wanting to do the right thing.”
He said the toughest part of the campaign so far has been asking for financial support to run the campaign. “I always supported my own municipal campaigns, but in this campaign I am only allowed to spend a maximum of $5000 of my own money.” The rest of the estimated $60,000 his campaign will cost must come from private donations to a maximum of $1500 per person. There are tax benefits to a donation, for example a $400 donation results in a $300 tax reduction on next year’s tax return.
Crewson takes a very personal approach to politics and campaigning. “I am going door to door and having real conversations with voters. I’m not sure if others are doing that.” He has been out meeting people at community picnics and church basements “hearing what they have to say.” He said he “wants to represent their concerns and be their voice, and not disappear in Ottawa and flood the riding with useless mailings.”
The response to his campaign so far has been positive. A July 16th poll in the Caledon Citizen showed that if an election were held this week Crewson’s Liberal Party would take 40% of the votes with Conservative David Tilson sitting at only 20% along with the Greens and New Democrats. “The level of political involvement in our area is outstanding,” said Crewson. “We have an active political community that is ready to be engaged, and have a vested interest in municipal, provincial and federal politics. They are telling us it is time for a change in representation in Dufferin-Caledon.”
Crewson says voters are also telling him that they are concerned about jobs and the economy. “They are wondering if we are entering into a recession and worried about making ends meet. The Liberal Party believes that supporting middle class Canadians, and those who are working to get there, with tax cuts and child benefits is a winning policy.”
Crewson noted that the environment, land use planning and Canada’s direction on climate change has also proven to be a big concern for voters. He said Justin Trudeau “will restore environmental assessments, un-muzzle our scientists, and work with the provinces to develop a Canadian response to climate change.” Crewson commented that this would be a great contrast, for example, to our current Prime Minister being notably absent from this past weekend’s Premier’s Conference in St. John’s Nfld.
When asked about the rapidly changing face of Dufferin-Caledon and how he hoped to embrace new residents in his campaign, Crewson replied that he “encouraged everyone to be involved in the campaign.” He said, “The Liberals are the party of multiculturalism and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We value our differences as Canadians and believe we are stronger because of them.”
The campaign trail is not an easy road to navigate, but Ed Crewson says he is lucky to have the support of his family, friends, employees and political team. Crewson knows from 26 years in public service, “It takes hard work and dedication to represent the constituents and continual interest in their daily routines and lives to make a lasting and meaningful contribution.” He believes Dufferin-Caledon residents are tired of the status-quo. “Gone are the days of electing an official and re-electing them until they decide to retire and collect a handsome pension.” He is continuously encouraged by “the support at the doors of voters and from the community” and believes “people are looking for a local voice that puts the residents of Dufferin-Caledon first.”
Visit Ed Crewson and his team at the Dufferin-Caledon Federal Liberal Campaign Office at 98 First Street in Orangeville or call 289 961-0744.

By Marni Walsh