Freedom Flyer 4

QUEEN'S PARK
by Nick Martin

TORONTO - There'll be no armchair quarterbacks in the London-based Freedom Party of Ontario - for party leader Robert Metz, it's strictly my-way-or-the-doorway.

One of eight officially registered political parties In Ontario, the conservative Freedoms emphasize individual liberties and abhor government restrictions and intrusions on individuals, property and business.

Gearing up for the provincial election that could well come in November, the Freedom Party has opened a campaign office on the third floor above a music shop at 364 1/2 Richmond St. six days a week. Maverick London businessman Marc Emery will undertake fulltime duties as the Freedom Party's campaign director Sept. 10.

Metz has put it squarely to his party members. They are expected to ante up a minimum contribution of $25, volunteer at least 10 hours of their time in the campaign, put their names forward as candidates - or resign.

The party executive will select candidates, said Metz, with none of the nomination meetings and open votes favored by some of the other eigh official parties. "We're not your traditional organization. We do not operate on any democratic system within the party organization. We operate like a business. Democracy is for the political marketplace."

The Freedoms will run about seven candidates in Middlesex and Oxford counties, and possibly in the Toronto area if there is sufficient support, said Metz, who will contest London South. "Wherever we do run, we want to look pretty credible. We're taking a very definite stand on local issues" such as opposing any public money for London's bid for the 1991 Pan-Am Games.