When voters in the riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell vote in the Ontario provincial election on Thursday, February 27, they have the option of re-electing the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) who has represented them since 2022. Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PC) candidate Stéphane Sarrazin is seeking another term.
PC Leader and Premier Doug Ford called the election more than a year early with the hope of receiving a strong mandate from voters to defend Ontario’s economic interests against the threat of tariffs from the Trump administration that would affect the province’s manufacturing and resource-based economy. Sarrazin said the tariffs are the number one issue voters have been discussing with him when he campaigns door-to-door.
“It’s become the priority,” he remarked.
One estimate is that up to 500,000 jobs could be at risk if the Trump tariffs take effect. Sarrazin said Ford has shown initiative at the provincial and national level in the face of the tariff threat.
“Premier Ford has been a leader and a champion on this,” he said.
“He became the voice of Canada,” Sarrazin added.
The PC’s under Ford have governed Ontario since 2018. The government has promised to ensure all Ontario residents without a regular doctor receive one, but this has not happened. According to the Ontario College of Family Physicians, about 2.5 million Ontario residents do not have a regular doctor. Sarrazin said a re-elected PC government will continue the effort to solve the problem.
“We want to connect everyone to a family doctor,” he said.
Sarrazin acknowledged it has been difficult for the government to keep up with the rising demand for doctors, and that 700,000 more Ontario residents are without a doctor now than in 2020. He highlighted how the government had appointed former federal Minister of Health Dr. Jane Philpott to oversee the Primary Care Action Team which has a mandate to ensure all Ontarians have a doctor within the next five years.
In reference to other areas of health care, Sarrazin noted that the provincial government has provided financial assistance for the Community Paramedics, whom the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) has hired to provide certain services in the community. He said the government is also working on a project with the UCPR and Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) to offer a virtual triage service for area patients. Sarrazin added the government is always ready to assist HGH and Glengarry Memorial Hospital in Alexandria.
In addition to serving as an MPP, Sarrazin has served as Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Francophone Affairs, Caroline Mulroney.
“Francophonie is a big part of my work,” he said.
Sarrazin believes that promoting local, Francophone owned and operated businesses is a good way to grow the Canadian economy while it is being challenged by possible tariffs in the US.
He also noted how the Ford government was the first to review and update the French Language Services Act.
Sarrazin said a re-elected PC government will continue to work with the UCPR on efforts to widen County Road 17 to four lanes, particularly in the high-traffic area of Clarence-Rockland. Sarrazin said it was a priority that he identified to the Premier when he was first elected.
Entering provincial politics, and previous service at the municipal level has always been about community service for Sarrazin. He said community and political service was an outgrowth of his previous careers, first as an electrician, and then owning his own robotics and automation business. Sarrazin emphasized he is not a career politician and takes constituents’ concerns seriously.
“I’m there when they need to talk to me.”
