Woodstock resident running for New Blue Party of Ontario

(Contributed photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Peter Beimers has been given the nod to run as the Oxford candidate for the New Blue Party of Ontario in the Feb. 27 provincial election.

Beimers has been married for 30 years, has four children, and welcomed his first grandchild in December.

“We have been a part of the Oxford community for 17 years, living the last 13 years here in Woodstock. I have been a truck driver for 20 years working for a business in Oxford. Before getting into trucking, I went to school to become a minister, but I was not able to find a full-time job in a church, I worked at various jobs before getting my AZ license. I still preach occasionally, but not as much as I did pre-COVID.”

He explained frustration is what motivated him to get into politics, namely how the government was running things and the seeming nonsense that was being imposed on Ontario residents.

“I wanted to be part of a better way and I found that better way was within the policies of the New Blue Party of Ontario. Rather than begrudgingly going through the motions of daily life, I want to be part of the solution.”

Beimers said there are three main issues he wants to bring to the election, first and foremost, taxes.

“Reducing the HST from 13 to 10 per cent as well as the elimination of the Carbon Tax. Everyday items are becoming more and more expensive and incomes are not matching the rate of increased costs. Reducing the HST and eliminating the Carbon Tax will mean more money in our wallets to invest in our family's needs.”

He added the lingering effects of the COVID era still live on needlessly in 2025.

“There are regulations still in place that need to be permanently removed. There are those seeking work, but are unable to be hired, despite being quite qualified for the position because they do not meet an arbitrary standard set by outdated COVID regulations.”

He added his party would like to offer jobs back those who were unceremoniously fired for a personal choice of not wanting to take an experimental drug that had zero long term studies attached to it.

“This would include, but not limited to, doctors, nurses, and postal workers. These people also deserve an apology from the provincial government for being treated so poorly when they were in reality needed most.”

Beimers also said he is pro-life and doesn’t understand how abortion is an allowable choice for any pregnant woman.

“There are zero abortion restrictions in Ontario and I believe this must change. On the other end of the life spectrum, we now have this anti-life option called MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying). I find it incredibly sad that a provincial health system would offer the option of suicide under a ‘doctor's care’ to seniors or those suffering with mental health issues. We have a great example in Oxford of palliative care with Sakura House. Ontario would be much better off investing tax dollars into more end-of-life care facilities than it currently does with MAID.”

The New Blue Party Candidate also wants to make sure Oxford County never becomes a home for safe injection sites, something Southwest Public Health favours.

A specific issue to our community is the so-called Safe Injections Sites. How can a government or any extension of the government be enablers of drug use and call that safe? This is an oxymoron, like ordering a vegan steak. How can a government say they want to fight drugs in our streets and yet provide these injection sites? It doesn't work. Drug rehab clinics are far superior.”

Beimers added the growing trend of parents sending their children to private schools or home schooling is on the rise, something he understands.

“Even though our children are finished school, I can hardly blame these parents for their school choice. Even in the last years of our youngest, the woke ideology of Liberals has become commonplace in public schools. Most recently, Bill 67 introduced Critical Race Theory (CRT). New Blue believes that CRT and woke ideology have no place in our schools. Children go to school to learn math, geography, science, and learn to read and write and express ideas.”

He explained his party wants a school voucher or credit to be given to families who do not send their children to the public school system.