MEET NEW BLUE CANDIDATE JOSHUA CHALHOUB

Joshua Chalhoub is the New Blue Party of Ontario MPP candidate for Northumberland-peterborough South in the 2022 provincial election. Chalhoub is looking for residents' votes come June 2 when the area elects its next MPP - and Ontario its next leader.

To introduce residents to their local candidates, we asked Chalhoub and others to answer some quick questions.

HERE'S A QUICK RUNDOWN:

Chalhoub, 52, of Hastings, is the local New Blue Party of Ontario candidate. Chalhoub has a paralegal diploma and a bachelor's degree (Hons) in legal studies, and previously worked as a teacher/tutor for the Oxford Learning Centre.

PAST POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:

"I have been personally involved in politics for several years through activism and raising awareness of important issues; (including) health-care reform initiatives, ODSP issues, and other local issues that affect our community.

"I have also volunteered on several provincial election's campaigns over the years hoping to make a positive difference."

HOW WOULD YOU GRADE THE PROVINCE'S COVID-19 RESPONSE AND WHY?

"I would grade the Ford government a 'D' in how it addressed the pandemic and its response to growing infection rates. We saw a slow, ineffective and failing response in long-term (care) homes that resulted in thousands of deaths.

"The outbreaks were not managed well in isolating and containing those outbreaks. Allowing medical professionals to move

around to several LTC facilities only exacerbated the problem. Proper testing and checks and balances in place could have saved lives.

"The continuous flipflopping on restrictions and mandates created mixed messaging leaving the public questioning the need for these restrictions or their impact in reducing transmission. We needed a consistent approach in how we dealt with COVID-19 at the very beginning of the pandemic."

IF ELECTED, I WILL ..."

"If elected, I would focus on building and improving our community health-care system in Northumberland-peterborough South. Healthcare in rural Ontario has been exacerbated by an aging population and influx of new residents relocating due to climbing housing prices in urban centres, coupled with a shortage of affordable housing.

"There are inequalities and inequities in how current provincial funding is distributed, which has rendered access to medical care extremely scarce and often non-existent.

"Provincial health-care budget cuts have left rural hospitals compromised, struggling to meet the increased demand. I would fight for increasing healthcare budgets that (are) flexible and in planning and delivery. I've said before, there is no one-size fits all plan.

"I would ensure that relationships with residents, community-based organizations and municipalities are developed in order to devise region-specific infrastructure that leaves no community behind. Addressing the inequalities requires the creation of regional committees to develop sustainable plans to deliver accessible healthcare.

"Every Ontarian deserves dignity and respect in accessing medical care regardless of where they live. It is not acceptable that patients are forced to travel across riding boundaries to seek medical care. There must be community engagement if we are to improve how healthcare is delivered.

"I would ensure healthcare is innovative and sustainable. Initiatives must be continuously improved and adequately funded with respect to human and medical professional resources. Healthcare services must be responsive to community-based needs, especially in regions where we have a diverse growing population."