KENTVILLE, N.S. — He believes in the pillars of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) and he wants to represent the people of Kings-Hants in Ottawa.
Matthew Southall said he became interested in the PPC soon after its formation was announced last year by leader Maxime Bernier, former Conservative Party MP and cabinet minister. Southall said he was “rather upset” with how the Conservative leadership vote went and was “very intrigued” by the PPC.
Southall attended a rally in Halifax and learned that Bernier was looking for candidates for the upcoming federal election. With candidates in at least 90 per cent of electoral districts, the PPC would be able to participate in national debates.
“Being a freedom of speech advocate, I obviously saw the importance and urgency of this,” Southall said.
He first agreed to work as a communications person for the party’s Kings-Hants electoral district association. After a few meetings, it was decided that Southall would be a strong voice for the PPC in Kings-Hants and he was acclaimed as the candidate.
Southall said the PPC is not as focused on the left-right political spectrum as Canada’s long-established parties. In many ways, he sees the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP as similar.
“I think in many of those ways, you find them under the umbrella of authoritarianism,” Southall said. “We more so advocate for libertarianism, where people can actually be free to live the lives that they want to and be respected to have those freedoms while not forcing their way of life on others.”
He said that everyone’s opinion should be voiced and not suppressed. It’s about individualism and the party’s pillars: freedom, fairness, personal responsibility and respect.
Southall said the ability to discuss difficult topics without necessarily having to follow a “strict party line” or adhere to certain points makes him feel he is “less of a puppet” as a candidate.
If the PPC is elected, Southall said, “smashing the PC (political correctness) culture tidal wave that has swept over Canada would be a huge achievement.” He believes allowing a two-tiered health care system would be “a momentous achievement.”
Southall would also welcome the removal of Bill C-16 in favour of a move toward “actual freedom of speech.” Known as Canada’s gender identity rights bill, the legislation amends the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code.
Southall supports the “shrinking of government” and allowing provinces to focus on what matters to them instead of being “dictated” to by the federal government.
Southall attended Memorial University for three years, studying geography and business and working toward a regional development certificate. With two more years to go and not wanting to go any further in debt, Southall left school after running short on funds.
The 28-year-old currently resides in Chester Basin but he grew up in Kentville, where his parents still reside. The oldest of three children, Southall has a girlfriend, Michelle, and they hope to get married and start a family in a few years.
Southall plans to someday buy a home on a lake somewhere in Kings or Hants county. The Bell Aliant technician is currently saving money with this goal in mind.
During his time with Bell Aliant, Southall has served as Occupational Health and Safety chairman, shop steward and Unit 6 chairman for Unifor 2289. One accomplishment he is particularly proud of is his motion to start the first mental health committee in Unifor 2289, and his anticipated participation in the future of local mental health initiatives.
Southall is keeping his already-established Facebook page for the campaign so that people can “see the real me” and get to know him.
GO ONLINE:
For more information on Southall and his campaign, visit his Facebook page or www.mattsouthall.ca.
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