By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
With all the provincial political parties tightening up – not certain that there will be a Spring provincial election but wanting to be ready if there is one – we are seeing possible candidates putting together teams to seek the nomination.
The current MPP for Burlington, Natalie Pierre would be expected to run for re-election.
Oliver Parker – son of the city
The Liberals were very quiet until Thursday of last week when Oliver Parker, currently a federal civil servant who works in the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) where he toils as a labour economist evaluating EI policy.
Parker’s parent moved to Burlington when he was very young. The family has been in Burlington for more than 20 years. He describes himself as a “son of the City. High school was at Notre Dame. When he graduated he went to Carleton University and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and then to Germany to complete a Masters degree at the University of Bayreuth where he focused on the economic history of productivity and trade between the two world wars.
Parker is currently enrolled in a Doctorate program at Queen’s University, Belfast. His PhD program is part time at this point.
Parker is fluent in French and German.
There isn’t much of a profile for Parker in the city – for the most part, he was at university studying.
He was part of the Safe Street group that has delegated at city hall.
Parker said he keeps abreast of the major developments – he argues that the parking part of the 2030 Caroline development is excessive – the city already has a traffic problem. More parking in the downtown area means more cars on the streets.
Well-educated Notre Dame HS graduate in the process of earning a Doctorate seeks the Burlington Liberal nomination.
He has two immediate tasks – plans to knock on every door in the city seeking the nomination and focus on advocating for more affordable housing. He maintains the city is missing its affordable housing targets.
Appreciate that Oliver Parker is seeking the nomination – he has to be nominated first – then he becomes the candidate.
Then he has to win the riding and become an MPP where he will join the 9 Liberals – assuming they are all elected. – their leader Bonnie Crombie will also be seeking a seat in the Legislature.
Andrea Grebenc sought the nomination for the Burlington seat in the last election. She lost to Mariam Manaa who then lost the election to Natalie Pierre. Grebenc announced late Monday that she will seek the nomination.
I am not an academic elitist. But one of our former MPPs didn’t even finish highschool. Another l went to highschool with dropped out of university in his first year. What kind of life/work experience could they possibly bring to the table. I agree with Graham l think we all are wanting more information as to why a candidate is worthy or not. Sorry, but l also have issues with a “rootin,tooting” gun slinging candidate.
So, Mr. Parker, “son of the City” (what precisely makes him that please??), will advocate for affordable housing. What a truly insipid, meaningless policy position that is. First, in Burlington that ship has truly sailed and is almost lost to sight over the horizon. Federal immigration, Provincial land development and Municipal incoherent planning policies (virtually all of them) have put a series of well placed stakes in the hearts of most young peoples’ hopes for a home of their own. There has been more long-term community and fiscal damage done, particularly by the Provincial government, in the name of “affordable housing” that I really never want to hear the term again.
I will put my support behind Grebenc who has experience, moxy and may actually contribute – even as a backbencher.
I’d like to hear about his specific plans for going about this reduction cost for housing?
I would need to see a complete work history for any candidate you feature here.