Tony McQuail

QUESTIONS:
1. Tell us a bit about yourself – background (education, career, family life)

I grew up in Pennsylvania, I came to Canada as a war resister to the Vietnam War and the corrupt US draft system. I’ve lived in Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh since I was 18 and got a job at Bissett Brothers Dairy in Saltford. I finished high school at Goderich District Collegiate Institute in 1972 and purchased our farm near St. Helens in 1973. I’ve been farming since then and received an Honours Degree in Environmental Studies in 1976. Fran and I have been married for 51 years and have two daughters and son-in-laws and 5 grandchildren

2. Why are you running in the election?
This is where I live and is a community and a land that I love and value. We need to be sure that the choices we make locally help us preserve the things we value in a fair and equitable way.

3. What previous political experience do you have (if applicable)?
I served as the Huron County Board of Education trustee for 3 terms for Ashfield and West Wawanosh Townships in the 1980’s. I served as the Executive Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural affairs in the early 1990’s and I’ve been a federal and provincial candidate over the years. Most recently I ran for the Leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.

4. How have you been involved in the community over the years? (Service groups, volunteer, coaching, committees, boards, etc.)
I’ve been a 4H leader, kids soccer coach, served on the Huron Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers Union Huron Local and active in HAWK theatre. I’m currently on the Board of North Huron Publishing, Treasurer of the National Farmers Union Huron Local and active with the Growing Rural Environmental Action Network. Nationally I’m on the boards of Farmers for Climate Solutions, a coalition of nearly 30 Canadian farm and land-based organizations, and Holistic Management Canada. Locally I’m active in the Huron Quaker Worship Group and on the Board of Protect our Waterways.

5. Why do you feel you are set apart from the other candidates?
I bring experience as a Holistic Management Certified Educator. Holistic Management is one of the early triple bottom line farm and ranch management systems that helps one develop healthy land, people and income. We found it very useful on our farm when we first took training in the mid 1990’s. It is applicable to managing at the local government level as well as a family, a farm or a business.

6. Why should constituents vote for you?
I believe that at its best democracy helps us find our collective wisdom. To do that we need to listen to each other around the council table and to our constituents. I have experience seeking consensus and getting at the root cause of problems.

7. If elected, what would you put on the agenda first?
Representation – I believe we need to return to evening Council Meetings to make them more accessible. We need to ensure that people who attend have an opportunity to share insights and ideas AFTER they have heard an item discussed by Council.

8. What are the three highest priority local issues you would like to focus on if you were elected?
Returning to evening Council Meetings.

Examine the value of returning to a ward system so that voters can hold a ward representative accountable and the various communities are ensured of a representative.

Examine proposals for “Development and Growth” to ensure that they will support the values of our rural community, enhance the ecological health of our lands and water and not leave the ratepayers on the hook for future expensive maintenance or cleanup costs.

Why?
The first two look at ways to make our local democracy more accessible and accountable. The third deals with ensuring that “Development and Growth” are actually beneficial for our community in the long run.

How would you attempt to remedy these issues?
Discuss these ideas during the election. Explore them with fellow councilors and constituents and bring forward appropriate motions to make changes that people understand and support.

9. What are your values, and values/priorities within this community? (want to find what your vision of this community is and how you intend to use your position on council to contribute to that vision).

My values can be encompassed in Stewardship, Integrity, Community, Equality, Simplicity and Peace.

It is not about my vision – it needs to be our vision – a shared vision developed as a community. We live in an ecologically and socially rich and diverse community. We need to ensure that we protect and preserve the natural beauty and richness of our land and waters while we use them for our livelihoods.

We need to nurture our community spirit and strengthen our resilience and ability to respond to crisis both “natural” and economic. We can be looking at how to meet our basic needs locally to buffer our community from a destabilized global economy.

10. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in this position in four years?
I hope we can strengthen the involvement and participation of residents in the work and decision making of Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh Township throughout the term and not just at elections.

How will we be able to measure success halfway through your term?
Attendance and participation have increased at Council meetings. Residents are contributing helpful suggestions regarding local needs and opportunities.

11. Anything else you’d like to say to the voters? Or your supporters?
Having lived in Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh for over 53 years. I know we are diverse with farmers, cottagers, villagers, rural residents, small businesses and the old order Amish. We need everyone contributing to our discussions as a municipality so the decisions we make work well for our diverse community. I will not be putting up signs
but have made a donation to the Huron-Perth United Way with the money I would have spent on them. If you'd like to print your own sign to put in your window, or car window, etc. you can find them here on the website.