Freedom Flyer 12

Marc Emery has no previous experience in Middlesex politics, but the candidate for the Freedom Party is certainly not unknown.

For the past 13 years, he has owned and operated City Lights Bookshop in London, and over the past couple of years has been a vociferous opponent of provincial Sunday closing regulations.

Twenty-nine years of age, Mr. Emery is running in Middlesex because the part of east London where he lives is in the county riding.

"I'm not unrealistic in my expectations. I don't have any illusions of how many votes I'll get - I kind of like living at home," says Mr. Emery.

The goal of the Freedom Party in this election, he says, is to get the message across that, "The purpose of government is to protect your freedom of choice, not take it away. Running your life is your responsibility."

Mr. Emery feels there is little difference among the Liberal, PC, and NDP attitudes, and says that grants and subsidies and program after program "are destroying this country .... I don't think the taxpayer wants to be a lender to everyone who can't get a legitimate loan ... I believe in a limited government and free enterprise. We cannot pillage this country forever."

Similarly, in education he criticizes control of the system by "politicians, bureaucrats, and administrators", who currently determine the future of our school children.