With consultation from a few other local arts organizations, Guelph Arts Council sent questions about the arts to the candidates from 5 federal parties for the upcoming election.
As part of Guelph is now in the Wellington-Halton Hills North riding, the questions were sent to candidates from the Conservative Party (CPC), Green Party (GPC), Liberal Party (LPC), New Democratic Party (NDP), and People’s Party of Canada (PPC) from both ridings represented in our region.
Guelph candidates:
CPC – Gurvir Khaira
GPC – Anne-Marie Zajdlik
LPC – Dominique O’Rourke
NDP – Janice Folk-Dawson
PPC – Jeffrey Swackhammer
Wellington-Halton Hills North candidates:
CPC – Michael Chong
GPC – Liam Stiles
LPC – Sean Carscadden
NDP – Andrew Bascombe
PPC – Syl Carle
We thank all the candidates for their responses, and for letting their names stand in the election to represent our community in Ottawa.
We also encourage all eligible voters to make their voices heard by casting their ballots in advance or on election day on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Note: The questions and responses below are published exactly as received from the candidates, alphabetically by party, except for Guelph’s LPC candidate, who provided the following:
Thank you for your thoughtful questions and for your continued leadership in championing the arts in Guelph-Wellington. The Liberal Party and I deeply value the arts as a pillar of our community’s identity, vitality, and economic resilience. In response to your questions, I can offer the following comments.
As a long-time resident and active volunteer in Guelph, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of our local arts scene—from the Guelph Jazz Festival to Hillside, to the many smaller venues and collectives that thrive here. I’ve been proud to support the Guelph Arts Council’s initiatives, attend local exhibits, and champion city investments in arts spaces. In my work on City Council, I pushed for increased community arts funding, greater cultural representation in our civic planning, and more accessible public spaces for performances and art installations.
If elected, I will bring that same commitment to Ottawa—ensuring that the voices of local artists are heard in national policy conversations, and that Guelph remains a leading city for creative talent and innovation. Should I earn the trust of voters and be elected, I look forward to meeting with your community to engage in a dialogue on these matters.
1) What do you see as the role of the arts in our community?
Guelph
CPC – no response returned
GPC – We need to treat the arts as essential components of a thriving community—not as a frivolous luxury. In times of stress, the arts help people stay grounded, connected, and resilient. They strengthen local economies, support mental health, and bring people together across cultural and generational divides. Guelph’s artists are doing work that keeps our social fabric intact. If we’re serious about community wellbeing through uncertain times, we need to support them like a frontline service.
LPC – please see statement above
NDP – no response returned
PPC – The arts is pivotal in our community. I see it as not only a way of expressing oneself, but also allowing the artist to evoke a certain feeling and the viewer to perceive it.
Wellington-Halton Hills North
CPC – no response returned
GPC – no response returned
LPC – The arts are vital to a healthy society. Participation in the arts fosters a sense of wellbeing and connection. Strong arts programming strengthens community bonds and fosters critical thinking. Our culture production as a society offers reflection into our identity, our values, and the critical issues we face at any given time.
The arts are more than an appreciation of beauty, which is valuable in and of itself. The arts encourage intellectual curiosity and social advocacy.
NDP – Arts play a pivotal role in bringing the community together and allowing people to experience different views and perspectives while exploring and benefitting from the talent of the artists.
PPC – no response returned
2) What challenges do you see artists facing and what should the role of the federal government be regarding the arts?
Guelph
CPC – no response returned
GPC – This is a crucial time to support the arts with new funding initiatives as together we face new and serious economic threats that will have a significant effect on the emotional and financial well being of our community. Conservative and Republican governments tend to focus on the bottom line. They typically erase funding to and support of the arts. Social media tends to keep people away from community and threaten the spaces we need for creativity and innovation both of which often blossom out of the arts. Local artists are the real culture creators and emerging Guelph artists like SHEBAD, and Liam Reynolds are leading the way.
LPC – please see statement above
NDP – no response returned
PPC – I am not well aware of issues artists face. I understand it as personal expression and am unaware of challenges certain artists face.
Wellington-Halton Hills North
CPC – no response returned
GPC – no response returned
LPC – I feel that it is important that the government provide support to artists through funding programs like the Canada Council for the Arts.
The Canadian art market is very small in comparison to other countries around the world. If re-elected, the Liberal government is committed to helping artists get their work to new audiences abroad. They have announced $20 million per year in funding to help artists and cultural industries that support Canada’s diplomatic goals.
NDP – I see artist facing the ongoing challenges of affordability and making a living from their respective art, if it is used as a source of income and not just showcase of their talent. The federal government should work with the other levels of government to assist artists in perusing their careers and insuring the viability of that endeavor.
PPC – no response returned
3) Specifically, how will you/your party support the arts and artists in our community and across the country?
Guelph
CPC – no response returned
GPC – The Green party platform for Arts and Culture includes a $1 billion investment over three years to enhance funding for Canada’s arts and culture sectors. A guaranteed livable income (GLI) is one of the key platform policies of the Green party. The GLI would provide guaranteed income to emerging artists as they build small businesses focused on their craft. Too many artists must work two or three precarious jobs to make ends meet.
I would stand to defend funding to the Arts as Guelph’s MP and strongly resist any attempts to reduce or cut federal funding to the Arts. My constituency office will be like a community centre; doors open, buzzing with people, engaging young people in climate activism. Highlighting the work of local artists in this space would be a great addition.
LPC – please see statement above
NDP – no response returned
PPC – We encourage freedom of expression and I personally love art. We will allow them the amenities and opportunities they have.
Wellington-Halton Hills North
CPC – no response returned
GPC – no response returned
LPC – The Liberal Party is not focused on cutting taxes by cutting programs. We believe in creating healthy communities and maintaining support for our artists through the Canada Council for the Arts. We will also unequivocally support the CBC/Radio Canada – a strong showcase of Canadian content and our identity.
We are committed to building affordable housing and providing financial safety nets like employment insurance and tax cuts for the middle class which is going to make life more affordable for everyone.
NDP – The party would engage the artist community to come up a plan to assist artists in ways of supporting their respective field.
PPC – no response returned
4) How have you engaged/supported/interacted with the Guelph-Wellington arts community?
Guelph
CPC – no response returned
GPC – I’ve been fortunate to work with and hire local artists throughout my campaign to showcase commissioned works and highlight the work that is being done in Guelph. The link between artists and activists is inseparable and we see that in Guelph everyday. Many of the folks on our team are established writers, poets, sculptures or designers. As a practicing physician of 35-years in Guelph I’ve been fortunate to work with many artists in our community who supported the Bracelet of Hope campaign. There really is no community without the arts.
LPC – please see statement above
NDP – no response returned
PPC – I have had no official role with the Guelph-Wellington arts community. I have never been associated with a large exhibit or such, rather interact with artists at a personal level.
I, myself, love sketching and my mother paints often. I also play multiple instruments that I use to express myself with.
Wellington-Halton Hills North
CPC – no response returned
GPC – no response returned
LPC – The arts are a major part of my life. My partner, Eleni Bakopoulos, is an artist who is very active in the local arts community. As such, I am very familiar with the work of the Guelph Arts Council, and the Arts and Culture programming for the City of Guelph. My partner and I have often volunteered in the ArtsEverywhere Festival, hosting participants and assisting with promotions.
My partner is also a Rotarian who has organized the Towards Truth Film Festival at the bookshelf Cinema for years. We are both advocates for Indigenous issues and working towards truth and reconciliation.
The arts for me, is not just another small detail among other major political issues. The arts are a very important aspect of my life and I assure you they will continue to have my attention and care.
NDP – I have attended a few local fairs where artist have presented their pieces and made a purchase of a t-shirt from an artist and taken information from another in mind with a future purchase of a specific piece that would be made for me by the artisan.
PPC – no response returned
