Terry Johnson, Liberal candidate, on election night. Photo Chelsey Barlow
The energy was high last night at Big Shots as Terry Johnson, along with his wife, close friends and campaign party gathered for the results of the 2014 provincial election. As they watched the polls sway in their favour and then against, you could sense that Johnson is a proud man with a long future in Chatham-Kent Essex politics.
“The strongest part of this has really been the amount of time I have been able to get out, be on the doorsteps and talk to people about what matters to them and get a feel for what issues people would want me to work on if I’m elected. Of course even if I’m not elected I can work through the parties policy process and in the community to get a lot of those things done.” Johnson remained positive while addressed with a question about the backlash of the Liberals track record. “Actually really the only people who have been talking about the gas plants in this campaign have been the other candidates”, Johnson said, “There are issues that people are concerned about. A lot of people are concerned about making sure the people who are on Ontario Works, or ODSP are getting enough and of course social justice issues are right up our street. Something I can continue working on that already measures in the budget to increase both Ontario Works and ODSP, but there’s a lot we can do win or lose to help people in this riding. I enjoy doing what I do at the moment which is of course creating a business and creating jobs in this riding. Win or lose I’m happy.”
Johnson encourages young voters to get excited and be engaged. “I have also worked with some of the schools doing student vote. Some of the best ideas come out of kids at the student vote. And the more young people get engaged the better because the decisions that are made now will affect us for the next 25 years”, said Johnson.
Johnson lost this riding to the Progressive Conservative candidate Rick Nicholls but was part of the larger victory with Kathleen Wynne winning a majority government with the Liberal party.
