Community Spotlight: A conversation with Milton’s Green Party candidate, Chris Kowalchuk

We are just under two weeks away from the federal election.

As the big day inches closer and closer, FM 101 Milton continues to reach out to Milton’s five federal candidates. Green Party of Canada candidate for Milton Chris Kowalchuk spent some time with us over the phone discussing his campaign and more.

The 59-year-old from Oakville says the thing that got him to run was simple: he was upset with what he was seeing from past governments.

He adds that he’s willing to be the one fighting for the Green Party in Milton because he’s not worried about being beaten. He knows the two major Parties (Liberal and Conservative) hold a near-duopoly in the political system, but that won’t push him away from fighting for what he believes in.

While many may have preferred a Milton resident to take the reigns of a Green Party candidate locally, Kowalchuk says he has ties to Milton as well. He says that he’s worked in Milton off-and-on throughout the years, including running for the provincial Green Party in the 1980s for what was, at the time, a Halton riding that included a much smaller Milton. The town has since more than tripled in size, with Kowalchuk now looking to impress many new residents all over again.

The Green Party has made its name on fighting for the environment. Incumbent Milton MP Adam van Koeverden has made a significant effort in the fight against climate change, most recently announcing the planting of 50,000 trees across Halton. Kowalchuk says that he is mostly happy with the work that van Koeverden has done for Milton in the fight against climate change, adding that he’s done a good job in communicating with constituents. That said, he isn’t so pleased with the Liberal Party’s overall efforts in the same fight.

It’s not impossible to see a Green Party candidate get voted into a government seat. The Leader for the Green Party of Ontario, Mike Schreiner, is the MPP of Guelph. Many have compared Guelph and Milton, with similarities in size, voter demographic, and agricultural backbones – despite having a more urban mentality. Both ridings are also very environmentally conscious, with conservation areas being a key aspect of the communities. Kowalchuk discusses what the Green Party could do for Milton federally, similar to what Schreiner has done for Guelph on the provincial level.

He finishes the interview by telling residents who may feel disenfranchised by either the Liberals or Conservatives to consider their options. Many politicians will either attack your fears or your hearts. He asks that you do your research and understand what each Party is fighting for before you cast your vote on September 20th.

You can reach out to Kowalchuk via email at chris.kowalchuk@greenparty.ca. He says he is running a heightened social media campaign because Green Party candidates don’t typically spend money on their campaigns. You can also learn more about Kowalchuk by checking out his Green Party website. He says if you feel like reaching to him on his personal social media, you can easily do so.

Kowalchuk is running against Incumbent Milton MP Adam van Koeverden (Liberal Party), Nadeem Akbar (Conservative Party), Muhammad Riaz Sahi (NDP), and Shibli Haddad (PPC). I’ve reached out to Riaz Sahi to learn more about his campaign. More coverage on Akbar and the Conservative Party is also a goal, but it has been challenging to get ahold of him.

Kowalchuk says he will be a part of the Halton Environmental Network 100 Debates on the Environment event being held Wednesday, September 8th.

The federal election is on Monday, September 20th.

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