John Carmichael (right) and Rob Oliphant both hope they will be the one to represent the voters of Don Valley West
By Andrew Serba
Conservative candidate John Carmichael hopes his years of experience in private business will allow him to make a positive impact on his community, should the voters of Don Valley West give him the nod.
“For all that my company and this country have done for me, this is a good opportunity for me to give something back that is very positive,” he said.
Carmichael, a father of three, has long-time ties to his community through his family business in the auto industry. A car dealer for the past 35 years, Carmichael has also served as chairman of the Canadian Auto Dealers Association and was the founding chair of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, a governing body for car dealerships and a consumer protection body, he said. An avid sportsman, he has served on numerous other boards, both public and private, including chairing Rowing Canada. He is also a director with the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Carmichael feels that his experience in the auto industry has prepared him to help with biggest challenge he thinks Toronto is facing: its lack of infrastructure.
“Our transportation system (in Toronto) is not world class,” he said. “We’ve got to spend the money and invest the resources to bring it to the level where it’s something we could all be proud of . . . to make sure that Toronto does achieve world class status as a city, and that’s where I think I could be a big, big help.”
Carmichael identified leadership, the economy, and crime and safety as the three most pressing issues he hears from Canadians.
“Voters are asking the question of looking at the economy, and the uncertain times, and who’s the best qualified,” he said. “I’m convinced that Canadians are telling us the answer is Stephen Harper and a Conservative government.”
He praised the Conservatives’ economic track record and said that paying down the debt and lowering the cost of financing the debt are keys to maintaining a strong economy. He also said a Conservative government would continue “working hard to keep the reigns on a banking system that works.”
“The economic fundamentals (in Canada) – and we’ve heard the prime minister use the term – are sound,” he said.
Crime and safety issues are increasingly important to Canadians, and a Conservative government would get tough on violent crime, Carmichael said.
“The Prime Minister recently announced new changes to the young offender laws and without question lowering the age from 16 to 14 for serious violent crime is a hard measure, but I think it’s long over due and I’ve had people applaud that,” he said.
Carmichael also stated that environmental issues impact Canadians on a daily basis. He cited green house gas emission targets brought in under the Conservatives and the $250 million Automotive Initiative Fund as progress under the Conservative government that he is proud of. He feels that there is a chance for the next government to make positive and long lasting change for the environment.
“I know people are concerned for their family’s well being,” he said. “In my case, I have two grandchildren, one’s two and a half years old, one’s a few months old. I want to make sure that if I have an opportunity to put a stamp on the environment and this country for their future, that I’m doing something that has longevity to it and will make a better world for them.”
** Originally published in the East Toronto Observer as a candidate profile **
Filed under: politics | Tagged: 2008, Canada, canadian election, debate, Don Valley West, politics
