Zaid Yusufani, the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for the Hastings-Lennox and Addington-Tyendinaga riding, is focused on representing the community’s core concerns in the upcoming federal election.
A father of three who moved to the region three years ago from Guelph, Yusufani’s interest in politics grew after discovering the absence of a PPC candidate in the area. He believes in the core PPC values of freedom, personal responsibility, respect, and fairness. Having voted for the party in the past, Yusufani is determined to bring these principles to local politics and represent the community effectively.
Affordability is a major issue in the riding, according to Yusufani. He points to rising costs in housing, food, and energy as key concerns for residents. In addition to personal struggles, local businesses, especially small restaurants and farms, are facing hardships, exacerbated by the pandemic’s impact on tourism and labor shortages. Yusufani also highlights mental health challenges in the area, including rising rates of loneliness and domestic violence. He points to the political division in Canada as a growing problem, with many citizens feeling disillusioned and disengaged. A particularly troubling sign is the 62% voter turnout in the last federal election, signaling a lack of trust in the system.
The PPC’s approach to these issues focuses on reducing the size and scope of government. Yusufani advocates for smaller government spending, particularly in areas like foreign aid and corporate welfare. Instead, the PPC will prioritize Canadians’ basic needs, including food, shelter, energy, and healthcare. Yusufani also proposes halting mass immigration temporarily to allow services and infrastructure to catch up with demand, thus addressing the rising housing costs. In addition, he promises to remove taxes and regulations that hinder small businesses, including corporate welfare and capital gain taxes.
On the issue of tariffs and trade, Yusufani emphasizes the importance of negotiation over retaliation. He argues that retaliatory tariffs only harm Canadian consumers by raising prices. The PPC aims to address supply management, a contentious issue involving high tariffs on U.S. farmers, which Yusufani believes is damaging to small farmers in Canada. His plan includes negotiating a fair trade agreement with the U.S. to benefit both nations’ economies and support small-scale farming.
Yusufani’s top priority as a potential Member of Parliament is to engage with local residents and ensure their voices are heard in Ottawa. Drawing on his experience as a psychotherapist, he is committed to fostering stronger community connections and reducing political division. By engaging with constituents, he hopes to increase voter turnout and ensure their concerns are effectively addressed in Parliament.
Written by Emily Chatwood
