Blake Ellis/The Independent

Among the names on the ballot for Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong is a leader of a federal party. 

Jacques Boudreau is the leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada and is running to be the MP for Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong in the April 28 election. This is his seventh time he has run since 2015– four times federally and three times provincially.

Boudreau moved to Enniskillen Township 14 months ago and ran in the Feb. 28 provincial election. Prior to that, he was a candidate in London West. 

Aside from his political life, Boudreau had a 38-year career as an actuary in the life insurance industry. 

Boudreau describes libertarianism as individual freedom and liberty where people are allowed to conduct their lives as they see fit as long as their behaviour doesn’t infringe upon the freedom of others. 

As the leader of the party since 2021, Boudreau thought the pandemics lockdowns and mask mandates would push many to join the Libertarian Party. This was not the case.

“I do not know where the truckers or their supporters are parking their allegiance, but it is not with us,” said Boudreau. “It has been a huge disappointment.”

For Boudreau the big election issue is cutting government regulations. He believes there are too many rules, regulations and red tape for Canadian businesses. If these aren’t eliminated, Boudreau says, Canada is going to continue to fall economically behind the United States. 

Boudreau also believes Liberal Leader Mark Carney will slap the agriculture and oil industries – two of the largest economic drivers in the riding  – with carbon tax and emission caps if he is to continue as prime minister.

When it comes to tariffs being levied against Canada by the US, Boudreau doesn’t believe Canada should slap retaliatory tariffs on American goods. He doesn’t believe they will hurt the American economy and will make the Canadian economy worse off.

Boudreau says under the current Liberal government Canadians have experienced a loss of freedom.