Why are you running for federal office?
- I’m running for federal office because I think our community deserves a member of parliament with the energy, commitment and willingness to make personal sacrifice to do the right thing for our community. Wealth inequality in Canada is at levels not seen since the Great Depression. A handful of billionaires controlling more wealth than most of our citizens is not good for our society, economy or democracy. It’s time to elect someone that is ready to struggle for a better deal for Canadians.
What federal roles have you held in the past four years?
- I’ve been the federal NDP’s nominated candidate for Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam since November 2023. Our team has been knocking on doors and making phone calls for over 18 months now.
What is your current job?
- I am currently completely invested in doing the work to represent our community. Before the campaign began, I was employed with ƛ̓éxətəm Colony Farm Park Association.
How long have you lived in the riding?
- I’ve lived in the riding for almost 30 years. Our family moved here in 1996 from Calgary, Alberta.
Why are you running for this party?
- I am running with the NDP because we are the only Canadian federal political party that is a working class-based social movement that is not backed by wealthy CEOs and billionaires.
How long have you been a party member?
- I’ve been a member of the NDP for approximately 20 years.
What are your Top 3 campaign promises?
- I promise to work long, hard hours representing the interests of our community. I promise to represent all members of our community equitably and effectively. I promise to do what’s right for our community regardless of the personal cost or consequences.
If elected, how will you ensure you are available to constituents?
- If elected, I would prioritize accessibility to the community by continuing to maintain weekly community coffee chats throughout my term in office. During the campaign, we’ve hosted weekly coffee chats that have provided me with an opportunity to learn so much from members of our community. I would also establish a schedule of public office hours for my constituency office to ensure I have the time and space to continue listening to, and learning from, my community.
The Tri-City News will be closing no later than May 21. How will you and your party work to strengthen or change the Online News Act to ensure Canadians in communities of all sizes continue to have access to independent, trustworthy local information?
- The closure of local news outlets is nothing short of a catastrophe for the integrity of our democracy and the well-being of our community. Most Canadians are aware of and worried about the problematic media environment that is being disproportionately influenced by billionaire owned and controlled platforms. Our party would increase funding to the CBC and pay for it by taxing foreign companies that currently pay little or no tax in Canada despite taking massive profits from our country. We would also strengthen the Online News Act to ensure these large international platforms negotiate fair compensation with domestic news producers.
How are you and your party preparing for future pandemics?
- The COVID-19 pandemic taught us the fundamental importance of our front-line healthcare, education, retail and other service workers. Without celebrating and compensating these workers in line with their economic and social value, we can’t be prepared for the next pandemic. For this reason, the NDP prioritizes investments in higher standards and protections for front line healthcare, education and other services to ensure we have the right people and systems in place to help us manage the next pandemic.
How are you and your party implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action?
- New Democrats know it’s not enough to just make promises. We’ll work nation-to-nation, respect the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and help deliver what communities need. Our commitment to increased funding for the CBC would support the implementation of call to action #84. Our party supports the implementation of all 94 calls to action.
Municipalities are struggling with growth orders from senior levels of government. How will you and your party address the needs for more/upgraded infrastructure?
- We are advocating for robust federal investment in public infrastructure to support municipalities facing growth challenges. Our plan includes collaborating with provincial and local governments to fund projects that enhance public transit, affordable housing, and green infrastructure, aiming to build safer and more sustainable communities. Some of this infrastructure investment would need to be paid for through increased taxation of the wealthy CEO’s and corporations that made record breaking profits during and after the pandemic. Wealth inequality has never been as pronounced in Canada as it is now. It’s time the wealthiest paid their fair share like working people have been doing for decades.
How will you and your party improve income support for seniors and people with disabilities?
- The NDP proposes initiating steps toward a guaranteed livable income, starting with increased support for seniors and individuals with disabilities. If elected, I commit to joining Port Moody–Coquitlam NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo in her fight to increase disability rates. Overall, our aim is to ensure financial security and dignity for our most vulnerable citizens. We’ll also fight to protect our CPP from malicious actors that want to prey on our retirement benefits.
With threatened annexation by the U.S. president, do you and your party support an increase in defense spending?
- Yes, given the current global geopolitical situation, American aggression and Donald Trump’s unjustified threats to our sovereignty, we support an increase in defense spending. We will build and maintain 88 F-35 fighter jets here in Canada, and we will do the same with the P-8 Poseidon contract to ensure operating systems are made and controlled-in-Canada. With these commitments, the NDP will achieve the two per cent NATO spending target by 2032. We are confident in committing to that because, more than ever before, we have a duty to protect our Arctic, care for our military service members and reclaim our role as a peacekeeper around the globe.
Canada's overdose epidemic is a national crisis. What will you and your party do to ensure that harm reduction services and safer supply programs are more available?
- The NDP is committed to addressing the overdose crisis through a health-centred approach. We have introduced legislation aimed at decriminalizing drug possession for personal use, providing criminal record expungement, ensuring low-barrier access to safe supply, and expanding harm reduction, treatment and recovery services. This comprehensive strategy seeks to reduce stigma and provide support to those struggling with substance use. We know that properly funding these vital social services results in better health outcomes for our people and is effective policy that is more economical than the costly, failed law enforcement focused approach to the overdose epidemic.
Contact
- instagram.com/lauradupont22
- facebook.com/laura.dupont.5055
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 672-963-3030
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