Jason Henry running for People’s Party of Canada

Jason Henry is the People’s Party of Canada candidate for the riding of Essex in the April 28 federal election.

Running to serve, not to climb the political ladder.

That is the promise Jason Henry, the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate is making as voters go to the polls on April 28.

In an e-mail with the River Town Times, Henry describes himself as someone who has had a career path that included community-based initiatives.

“I’m not a career politician. I’m one of you. I understand what families here are going through because I’ve lived it myself,” says Henry.

A crane operator, Henry is from Harrow and believes Canadians are tired of being ignored by what he considers, “career politicians.”

Henry has never ran for any political office and chose the People’s Party for specific reasons.

“I was drawn to the People’s Party of Canada because they stand for common sense, personal freedom, fiscal responsibility and putting Canadians first,” he said.

The PPC was founded in 2017 and is led by former Conservative Cabinet Minister Maxime Bernier. In 2021, the last federal election, the party had 312 candidates but did not have any elected to the House of Commons.

In Essex, the party’s popularity has grown considerably since 2019. That year Bill Capes received 1,251 votes, which was just 1.8 percent of the local riding vote. Two years later, the most recent election in 2021, Beth Charron-Rowberry carried the PPC banner and received nearly 10 percent at 6,925 votes.

“I chose to step into politics because I believe the voices in Essex and Canada are not being heard,” notes Henry.

Henry says the PPC would restore accountability and ensure that hard-earned tax dollars are spent wisely. Henry also believes that small towns are losing opportunities and that many people are feeling disconnected from the decisions that are being made in Ottawa.

When asked by the River Town Times what he felt to be the biggest local issue, he said that Essex County residents are facing economic uncertainty, there is rising crime and a struggling agriculture sector.

“People are deeply concerned with the cost of living, inflation, housing, tariffs, and fuel prices are hitting families hard,” said Henry.

Henry will go up against incumbent Conservative Chris Lewis who is seeking his third term, Amherstburg’s Lori Wightman is the NDP candidate, and Chris Sutton is the Liberal candidate.

Advance polls are April 18-21 from 9 a.m to 9 p.m.

Jason Henry running for People’s Party of Canada

By Fred Groves