THUNDER BAY – Atikokan teacher Eric Arner is the Green Party of Ontario candidate in Thunder Bay-Atikokan for a second time.
Arner first carried the party flag in the June 2022 general election, when he pulled in 2.9 per cent of the vote.
“I think it’s important for all the different political opinions to have a chance to be expressed, and a lot of people feel very strongly about the environment, you know – the health of our water and our air. And you know it gives them an opportunity to emphasize that, right?” he said when asked why he decided to run again.
The Green platform goes beyond environmental issues to include social issues, economic development and more, he added.
He described being a candidate is “a great way to take part in the process and generate more interest in voting and getting people out to vote.”
Arner said he “would love to be a part of the Green team that’s growing in Queen’s Park.”
The party offers “an alternative to what has been available to Ontarians for the last six years, which has really been falling short,” he said.
“And so I really hope that we can get more representation from the Green Party in Toronto and represent the people of the province in a way that reflects their values, which includes a very healthy environment and affordable housing and funding for health care, funding for education – all those things that we’ve been falling short on.”
He described the Greens as “a party that allows you to speak your mind and represent your own constituents, unlike some of the other parties.”
“The one that’s in power now, the PCs, they don’t allow their MPPs to really represent the people of their constituencies because (Premier) Doug Ford really wants to be in charge in that way, and I really think we need some alternatives to that.”
Ford “is getting a lot of attention because he’s got a new hat and he’s barking at the American president,” Arner said.
“He’s a good guard dog, but I think he’s messed up the yard. He’s taking advantage of his position and he’s been able to do a lot of things for himself and his friends … but he hasn’t helped the average Ontarian.”
Arner teaches civics, music, English and Indigenous Voices at Atikokan High School.
A party news release quotes Mike Schreiner, the Greens’ leader, as saying Arner “consistently stands up for the well-being of students, teachers and parents, and he will continue to do the same as the representative for his community at Queen’s Park.”
Election day is Feb. 27.
