Stephen Makk calls the latest federal election campaign a “tornado ride.”
That’s how the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for Simcoe North refers to the whirlwind support he says the party garnered during the current election campaign.
“It exceeded all my expectations,” Makk said. “We've had so much growth. It's incredible. We have a large organization now with multiple offices, special software. I mean, it's a whole different party from last time around, that's for sure.”
Makk ran in 2019 when long-time Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton emerged victorious. In that campaign, he garnered 1,154 votes or 1.8% of the ballots cast. This time, with mail-in ballots still to be counted, Makk earned 4,715 votes or almost 8% of the ballots cast.
Makk said the reaction to the party this time around has been very positive and enthusiastic.
“It's been more people coming to find us than us going to find them,” he said. “We’re new and we’re providing hope for a lot of people that are in despair about where the country is going.”
Makk said having party leader Maxime Bernier visit the riding with stops in both Midland and Orillia also provided a boost.
“We had a great event with him in Midland, and then in Orillia,” he said. “And the crowds kept coming back for more.”
Bernier once again failed to win a seat in Parliament as Justin Trudeau and the Liberals earned a second straight minority mandate.
Makk said the reaction to the party was stronger this time, especially in light of Trudeau’s decision to call the election earlier this summer less than three years into his mandate.
“Trudeau tried to make this pandemic and vaccines a wedge issue. And our party is a libertarian party.”
Makk said the party’s message of smaller government, less spending and a focus on individual rights and freedoms resonated with local voters.
“We represent freedom and freedom of speech and the people who have been facing the most stress in that area have found a voice through us.”
Makk said that movement allowed the party to make gains during this election while support for other parties remained the same.
“Everybody else is either flat or declining,” he said, noting that while many pundits talked about the PPC taking away votes from the Conservatives, he felt they were taking votes away from all parties.
“We're just growing our slice of the pie, and we're going to keep going,” Makk said. “That vote split thing, I take it as a compliment. “
Makk said he has no plans to slow down or stop the momentum the party gained locally during the current campaign.
“I don't intend to stop,” he said. “I will try to run again. I think one mistake we made was between elections (2019 and now), we stopped being active.
“I'm going to be active, I'm going to be advocating for freedom and prosperity and limited government by whatever means. We have momentum and I'm not going to waste it. We have a movement and we're moving forward.”
