Q & A
To help you get to know Marty, here are his answers to some key questions about himself and why he wants to be Guelph’s next MP:
1. Why do you want to run for Federal office?
I love this country. I served 23 years in the military. During this time, I lived in five provinces and visited every province and every territory many times. I know this country in a way that few Canadians have been fortunate enough to experience. Internationally, I served in the Middle East for a one-year tour of duty as a United Nations peacekeeper in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. As peacekeepers, we wore the UN flag on the left sleeve of our fatigues and the Canadian flag on our right. It was the Canadian flag that was most respected, it was the Canadian flag that frequently allowed us to do our job, and it was the Canadian flag that I was most proud of. It labeled us as ambassadors for Canada.
Because of my national and international experiences, I realize how fortunate we are to be Canadians. I spent 23 years on the front lines in our military defending our Canadian way of life and I want to continue to do that as the Member of Parliament for Guelph.
2. Why would you be a good choice for Guelph?
In my present job as an Air Canada Captain and in my past career as a military officer, job one was taking care of the people who were entrusted to me. Taking care of the needs of the good people of Guelph would be job one for me as your Member of Parliament. I am very confident in my ability to make the decisions required to enhance our community and improve the lives of our families.
3. Why do you think a Federal Conservative Government is good for Guelph?
A Federal Conservative Government is good for Guelph for the same reasons it is good for Canada as a whole. Although Canada is far better off financially than the vast majority of countries in the world, many of the issues we face today revolve around the fiscal state of our country – the recession, the deficit, the debt, tax rates, health care costs, environmental costs, energy costs. A conservative philosophy is the best way to deal with these issues. When our financial “house” is in order, we are more capable of dealing with these issues and also with helping provinces like Ontario and municipalities like Guelph deal with the issues they are responsibility for.
4. What are your personal views and/or experiences with regard to:
(a) Raising a healthy family:
Families are the building blocks of our society. Family breakdown leads to social breakdown. Therefore, we must do everything possible through social policy and fiscal policy to reinforce family values. Failing that, we must be compassionate and generous in how we treat families and individuals dealing with difficulty.
(b) Crime and public safety:
The safety and security of Canadians is the primary concern of the federal government. Nothing else is possible unless we live in a safe and secure environment. The Federal Conservatives are revamping the justice system to emphasize the rights of victims of crime and truth in sentencing. I fully support their efforts.
(c) Taxes, jobs and the economy:
Creating jobs and boosting the overall economy requires building and maintaining a fair, fiscal framework that encourages small businesses to become big businesses to become global corporations. Harper’s Conservative government has made significant progress in this area.
(d) Canada’s healthcare system:
40% of health care in Canada is already privately provided (dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, lab services, diagnostic services, etc.). I see no reason why this percentage cannot be increased in order to save money while still maintaining public funding. Personal health services accounts would be a good way to bring transparency to health care costs.
(e) the war in Afghanistan:
We, along with our allies, have correctly eliminated the ability of the 9/11 terrorists to plan further attacks from bases in Afghanistan. However, our military is burned out and role should change in 2011.
(f) defending Canada’s Arctic territory:
I flew many northern sovereignty patrols while I was in the air force and am very aware of northern issues and the resource development potential of that region. Six years ago, I was chosen by the Federal Conservative Party to provide input on our defence policy. One of the key phrases we emphasized in that white paper with regard to Arctic sovereignty has been used repeatedly by Prime Minister Harper- “use it or lose it”.
(g) climate change:
As President Kennedy once said “we all share the same wind and water, and soil and seed”. Let’s focus on the careful stewardship of these elements of our natural environment.
(h) creating a better, more co-operative Parliament:
There is an unhealthy excess of partisanship in Parliament these days. I go to Ottawa frequently and can report that much of this is attributable to the stressful minority government situation. My experience in the military and with Air Canada is that far more can be accomplished by working with people – even those with whom you disagree. I am a very gregarious fellow and I would make every effort to reach across the aisle to find common ground.
5. In your view, what issues/topics are of most importance to the residents of Guelph?
Right now, the economic situation is clearly the first priority. It is heartbreaking to have parents lose their jobs due to economic circumstances. We must do all we can to get them through this rough patch and back on the job. My family went through this a few years ago when the CCAA process at Air Canada led to a pilot layoff. I had to find work at another airline for a few months.
6. What makes you proud to hail from/willing to represent this part of our country?
We love living in Guelph. When I left the air force and moved to Ontario, we had to choose where to live within an hour’s drive of the airport. Hands down, Guelph was where we wanted our children to grow up. It’s safe, with friendly people, a respected university, a can-do attitude.
7. What are the names of your family members and ages of your kids?
My wife Patricia and I have been married for over 21 years. We have three children – Brendan 20, Kathleen 18, and Connor 10.
8. To someone new to Guelph or with little experience or interest in politics, what else should they know about you?
Leadership is 80% perspiration and 20% inspiration. I have learned and applied this lesson over and over in my career, as a military officer and as a pilot. I believe this will allow me to serve you well as Guelph’s Member of Parliament.
