Liberal candidate meets the constituents

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Published on Saturday, February 28, 2015

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner

Last Saturday, federal Liberal Party candidate Ray Piche held a meet and greet in Neepawa.  The event, held at the library, offered a chance for constituents to get to know Piche as well as talk to him about the Liberal Party.  He said that the event went well and offered a chance to start the conversation and listen to constituents. 

Piche said that in talking to constituents, he’s hearing a familiar theme. “A lot of people want positive change… And they want a federal government that will form partnerships with all levels of government,” he said.   

Piche said that he also talked to constituents about the Liberal Party and leader Justin Trudeau, clearing up some misunderstandings as to where the party stands on certain issues. Piche said that he talked to a number of people with concerns about the federal government’s Bill C-51, the anti-terror bill. Piche said that Trudeau has said that he supports the bill, but only with some proposed amendments, including an oversight committee and a mandatory review after three years.

Piche also pointed to Trudeau’s work on senate reform, removing senators from the party’s caucus and making Canada’s upper house more non-partisan.  

Like other candidates from across the country, Piche said that he is hearing a lot concerns about infrastructure and health care, especially with the expiration of the Health Care Accord last year.

Piche said that as the campaign heats up, the party will release its platform. “We do have a plan and a platform, but it will be [released] in a very measured way,” he said.

Piche said that anyone interested in joining the party and getting involved can attend the constituency association AGM, which will be held on March 21 in Dauphin.