Walter Bauer is an expert witness and professional engineer who works with companies to analyze cost overruns and propose workable solutions.
The longtime Aurora resident, who ran in the 2018 provincial election for the Green Party in the riding of Richmond Hill, believes that the most important issues today are climate change and income inequality.
Bauer graduated from the University of Waterloo and worked for 20 years in the construction industry before starting his own consulting company in 2001.
Born in the Dominican Republic, he moved to Canada as a child and has enjoyed travels across Canada, the United States, Africa, Asia, Central America, South America, India and Europe.
In York Region, he has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, made breakfast for the homeless, and co-led a group sponsoring a Syrian refugee family in Toronto.
Find more election news and information on our Canada Votes page
NewmarketToday has interviewed each candidate in the Newmarket-Aurora riding, asking them the following questions about themselves and the issues. Here's how Green Party candidate Walter Bauer responded.
Why are running to be Newmarket-Aurora MP?
Bauer said he is “very worried” about climate change — “and we’ve got 12 years to do something about it before it may become irreversible,” according to conservative estimates by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
Canadians have the highest individual carbon footprint in the world, Bauer added, which makes it hypocritical for our country to call on others to make changes.
“We need government to step in and do something,” he said. “If government doesn’t do it, it’s not going to get done.”
Also, Bauer said he was prompted to run because he is “fed up with all the double speak and disguised messages” spouted by the Liberal and Conservative parties about the environment and climate change.
How does your background and experience make you the best candidate?
Bauer said he has experience with budgets, project management and finding efficiencies through his work experience, and that he has also worked in the energy sector “which makes me better suited to addressing what we might be able to do for climate change.”
What’s the most pressing issue in the 2019 federal election campaign?
Climate change (see above), as well as the inequity of wealth are the most important issues for Canadians.
“We’ve got to fix that inequity by taxing the very wealthy,” he said.
The Green Party also wants to end tax loopholes that benefit the wealthy and impose a financial transaction tax to encourage long-term investment, Bauer added.
Multiple election polls show that Canadians are placing climate change as a top concern in this election for the first time. What specific actions will your party take to address this issue?
“There’s a long list,” Bauer responded.
The Green Party’s most important initiative would be to establish a cross-party, non-partisan inner cabinet to deal with climate change, he said.
The Green Party will slash greenhouse gases by 60 per cent by 2030, and target carbon neutral by 2050. The current federal target is a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.
A Green government would also develop a transportation strategy to shift away from gas-powered transportation to rail, light rail and electric buses by 2040, he said.
The transition to a green economy won’t leave behind oil and gas workers, Bauer added, as their jobs are transferable to construction.
What’s your message to the many young people in York Region feeling disenfranchised — unable to afford to buy a home of their own, living with their parents after graduating from college and university, and concerned about the impact of climate change on the environment, the economy and their future?
Bauer encourages young adults to vote for the Green Party, whose platform includes initiatives that benefit them, including: reducing the voting age to 16, making tuition free, forgiving federal student loans, putting money toward rental accommodation and bringing in further controls on Airbnb rentals that are impacting the affordable rental market.
For young people not eligible to vote, Bauer said, “I want to call it ‘trickle up’ …. Where the kids have to harp on their parents to do something. Their parents have to vote for a government that will do something.”
According to statistics, the economy is flourishing with 421,000 new jobs created last year and employment increasing by 2.3 per cent. Yet, many Canadians say they are not better off, or feel they can’t get ahead. How do you explain that? What’s your party’s plan to improve the economy?
About a third of Canadians are making minimum wage, working two or three part-time jobs and 10 to 12-hour days, have no benefits coverage or job security, Bauer said.
“There’s tremendous insecurity that isn’t reflected in those statistics,” he said. “The very first thing that has to happen is if you’re employed, you’re employed: you’ve got to pay benefits, minimum wage must be $15 an hour and there needs to be a basic living wage given to everybody so that people can afford to live.”
According to a poll commissioned by the College of Family Physicians, the top health care issues for Canadians are: ensuring there are enough health care providers; universal pharmacare; and improving access to mental health services. Can you briefly explain where your party stands on each of these issues?
The Green Party supports universal pharmacare and basic dental coverage for low-income Canadians.
Fairer taxation, additional taxes on the wealthy, and savings gained by establishing a central bulk drug purchasing agency would contribute to the estimated $15 billion cost of pharmacare, he said.
Incentives for physicians to work in remote communities should be reinstated, Bauer added, and more nurses are needed in hospitals.
The Green Party would restore the federal/provincial Health Accord, basing health transfers on demographics and health care needs in each province, replacing the current formula based on GDP growth.
“Right now, mental health services seem to fall between the cracks, you’re either ‘normal’ or in jail,” he said.
The Green Party would negotiate the Canada Health Accord to prioritize expansion of mental health and rehabilitation services and a reduction in wait times.
What needs to be done to improve voter turnout? (68.5 per cent in 2015)
“I think, like me, voters are tired of the spin and double speak, they want to be told the truth. Often the attitude is ‘it doesn’t matter who I vote for, they’re going to break their promises’. Somehow you have to change that paradigm. If Elizabeth May were voted in, if Jagmeet Singh were voted in, I think you would have a more honest politician than either Scheer or Trudeau,” Bauer said.
Canada’s cities are asking federal parties to add more than $800 million a year to the 10-year housing strategy and fill gaps in the plan over its remaining eight years to make renting more affordable and keep people from going homeless. Will your party commit to that?
The Green Party pledges $750 million for new builds, $750 million for rent assistance for rent assistance for 125,000 households.
What one leadership quality does the leader of your party have that will allow him/her to strongly represent Canada on the world stage?
“First, unlike any other party, the Green Party is worldwide, there is an actual synergy between the Green Party in Canada and the Green Party in Europe — they speak the same language. Secondly, Elizabeth May speaks so well, she’s knowledgeable about everything,” Bauer said.
What does your party’s campaign slogan mean to you?
Bauer said he’s not a fan of slogans, but he does like the idea of sharing ideas among parties.
Should the minimum voting age be lowered?
Yes, to 16 years of age (see above).
Do you support a universal basic income program?
Yes (see above).
