A new political party is hoping to make waves in western Canada during this federal election, the Maverick Party. The candidate for Souris-Moose Mountain is local veterinarian Dr. Greg Douglas.

“I think the time is right for a party that gives true representation for the west,” Douglas explained. “That really only represents the issues and the values that come from the west.”

While the party carries what they bill as a twin-track framework to their policy that would see either constitutional changes or separation of the western provinces, Douglas points out they are really working to improve the situation for western Canada, which he says has been ignored.

“It’s time for us to have a party that looks at the industries, the communities of the west and fights for those values, whether its oil and gas or agriculture, repealing the carbon tax or fair market access for our products into global markets,” Douglas stated.

Coming into this election, the economy, particularly for the riding of Souris-Moose Mountain, is a key part of the vision for the party. This includes changes to the equalization formula for the provinces which Douglas says would keep more revenue in the area.

When asked about specifics, in terms of cost of living and affordability, Douglas said the party is not about spending and instead aims at having a strong fiscal policy that will keep inflation and interest rates down. He says this will then, in turn, keep things affordable.

This is the first time the Maverick Party has run a candidate in the Souris-Moose Mountain riding.

So far, other candidates who are confirmed for the election in the riding are Diane Neufeld of the People’s Party of Canada, Hannah Ann Duerr for the NDP, Javin Ames-Sinclair from the Liberal Party and Conservative Party candidate, and incumbent, Dr. Robert Kitchen.

The election will be held on September 20th.