Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Bay of Quinte MPP candidate Tyler Allsopp says his first venture into politics was when he was just a kid.
Now, he’s hoping to secure the win in the Bay of Quinte byelection Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.
We asked your candidates a few quick questions: Who are you, why are you running and what do you feel are the most important issues in the riding? We also asked if elected what would be your top priorities?
Here’s what we heard:
Allsopp is described as a life-long resident of Belleville who currently lives in the city with his wife and their three daughters – a big inspiration behind the decision to toss his hat into the ring.
Allsopp studied business marketing at St. Lawrence College before returning home and purchasing Doug’s Bicycle, which he says he sold recently. He’s also served on city council as a Ward 1 councillor since 2021, and as chair of the police services board.
He first ran in 2014, when he was just 21 years old – but tells us he’s been at this now for more than 20 years, with his first experience in politics at age 11.
“I got involved in the ‘Can’t Wait to Skate committee,’ which was a committee that was trying to get a skatepark located in Belleville, and at the time, I was really into BMX biking, and we were having to travel to different municipalities to use their skateparks. It was important to me that we get one located right here in Belleville, so got to work on that and four years later, we had a skatepark built.”
That first experience in politics: “Taught me that when you get involved and when you keep coming back, you can get something done that matters not only to you but to your whole community – so that was my start in politics.”
Knocking on “thousands of doors” through his campaign, Allsopp tells us the key issues are clear.
“(This) is why when I knew I was going to be running, I wanted to be a part of that party – because I think Doug Ford and the Ontario PC Party has really done the most on affordability,” continues Allsopp, while acknowledging there’s still more to do.
In addition to affordability, Allsopp also keyed in on housing as a top priority, saying he’s eager to get to work on getting more homes built, working towards Ontario’s 1.5-million target by 2031. Tackling the homelessness crisis, including through work under mental health and addictions, was among the other top priorities Allsopp outlined.
“We want to help put those families back together, get those people lifted up and get them back to their lives.”
Allsopp tells us about what motivated him to run.
Allsopp says he has high hopes to raise area residents’ voices and represent them in Queen’s Park.
Looking to his three daughters, he says he’s got a longer lens on life now and thinking about what kind of future they’re going have was also influential.
“Because I want (Bay of Quinte) children to have great prospects in life and really be able to become what they want to be in life, and that starts with making sure that they have the investments and resources right here at home.”
Listen to the full interview here:
Written by Sarah Hyatt
