With the federal election approaching, get to know your local Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies Liberal Party candidate: Reggie Goldsbury.
Who is Reggie Goldsbury?
Goldsbury says he and his family have a long history in the riding.
“I’m honoured to carry the Liberal banner in the Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies. I’m a product of this region’s resilient heart; born in Cranbrook, tempered in Nelson, and rooted from Kimberley to the shores of Kootenay Lake,” said Goldsbury.
“As a fourth-generation Kootenay resident, I’ve lived the challenges we’re facing: housing that’s out of reach, health care stretched thin, core industries like softwood lumber, mining and energy under pressure, our Columbia River Treaty under threat, and government decisions made without us.”
The Issues: Tariffs, Housing and Inter-Provincial Trade
Goldsbury feels the trade war between Canada and the US is one of the biggest threats the country is facing.
“The tariff/trade war with the US is the crisis of a generation. Every Canadian will feel the pain of this trade war. Trump is a leader who believes in chaos. He can’t be trusted. It’s no idle threat when the President of the United States refers to Canada as the 51st State. Mark Carney is the leader who can confront Trump and put Canada first,” said Goldsbury.
“I’m hearing from people on the ground who are nervous about losing their jobs. The rumour in Creston is that the brewery is going to be laying off a lot of people when the tariffs are applied and there are threats of shutting it down.”
Goldsbury says strengthening local and inter-provincial economies is the solution to dampening the effects of US-imposed tariffs.
“Canada is strongest when we are united. There should be one Canadian economy, not thirteen. We’ve pursued international free trade but neglected internal trade. This must change,” said Goldsbury.
“The new Liberal government will immediately convene a First Ministers’ meeting to work with provinces and territories to identify national investment priorities to be fast-tracked and to remove interprovincial trade barriers so Canadians can trade freely. These discussions should start from the principles of barrier-free trade, mutual recognition of standards and substituted compliance with regulations.”
Goldsbury says he is well-positioned to advocate for the region’s economy.
“The economy in our riding is of the utmost importance. I come from an entrepreneurial background of running multiple businesses, rural businesses in a rural environment. I understand the challenges that we are facing,” said Goldsbury.
Goldsbury says the Liberals also have a plan to take on the housing crisis.
“To expand our housing supply, a government led by Mark Carney will double the pace of new housing construction over ten years, boost innovation and productivity in housing construction to accelerate building speeds and lower building costs, grow the construction sector workforce, cut red tape, reduce fees, levies, and taxes to drive down the cost of building and accelerate permitting approvals,” said Goldsbury.
“To improve access to affordable housing, a Mark Carney government will remove barriers to building and acquiring affordable housing, double non-profit community housing, including co-op housing, to deliver permanently affordable homes that strengthen communities.”
Final Words
Goldsbury says Canada/US relations are a major concern for him and his party.
“Like many Canadians, I’m actually frightened of what’s happening with our southern neighbour. I’m frightened for my family. My children need to grow up in the sovereign nation of Canada. Not the 51st State. This is a defining moment for Canada and the world, which is why Canada needs Mark Carney at the helm,” said Goldsbury.
He hopes to reach across party lines to earn the progressive vote.
“I’d like to talk to all of our friends in the riding: the NDP supporters, Green Party supporters and even soft Conservatives – the issues we are facing are very real, and I’m asking you to visit votereggie.ca to see some phenomenal material on how we can change this riding,” said Goldsbury.
Voters will head to the polls on April 28.
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