They are often referred to as fringe candidates, but alternative party candidates play a key role in providing largely disen-franchised voters with an option to cast their ballot outside the traditional parties.
Voters in Orléans have four alternative candidates to consider when casting their ballot, including two independent candidates.
Patricia Hooper is the local candidate for the New Blue Party of Ontario. The party was founded by former Conservative MPP Belinda Karahalios and her husband Jim after she was kicked out of the party for voting against Bill 195 – a bill that allowed Premier Ford’s government to extend or amend COVID-related emergency orders without consulting the legislature – in 2020.
Among the New Blue Party’s platform is a promise to ban lobbyists, implement a bill to crack down on voter fraud in internal political party elections, elim-inate electronic voting by counting ballots manually, establish tax credits for alternative schooling, and ban critical race theory education in public schools.
Ken Lewis is running for the Libertarian Party of Ontario. The businessman and former journalist ran for the Libertarian Party in 2022 and received 184 votes. The Libertarian Party’s platform is based on freedom of choice, personal responsibility and mutual respect.
The two independent candidates running in Orléans are Burthomley Douzable and Arabella Vida.
Douzable is a healthcare professional, and entrepreneur. According to her bio, she formally served as president of the Multi-cultural Community Club in Vanier. As an entrepreneur, she has founded and managed several busi-nesses that contribute to the well-being of individuals and families across Orléans and beyond. You can find her website at burthomleydouzable.com.
Arabella Vida runs a charity that supports children with special needs, which was borne from her own experience raising a severely autistic child. In the 2022 General Election, she ran as an independent in Milton and received 43 votes. Her campaign is centered around her desire to fight for the riding’s marginalized residents. She’s in favour of establishing a guaranteed basic living income, and the creation of legislation that would enhance support systems and protections for new arrivals to the province.
You can learn more about the Arabella Vida at facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558259344513.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
VALENTINE'S COMMUNITY SENIORS TEA co-hosted by councillors Matt Luloff and Catherine Kitts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre-Dame-des-Champs Community Hall, 3659 Navan Rd. Click 
SDBC AND CAPITAL TEASE PRESENT STRUT BURLESQUE presented by the Kin Club of Orléans from 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of sultry dance, vintage glamour, and tongue-in-cheek humour – all while sipping on our finest. It’s the perfect mix of hops and hotness for a night out you won’t forget. For tickets visit 
FAMILY DAY ALL AGES MUSIC BINGO DANCE presented by the Kin Club of Orléans from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Queenswood Heights Community Centre, 1485 Dufurd Dr.
Tickets are $15 per person and include one bingo card, a bowl of chili and tortilla chips. Proceeds to go to help pay for local community projects. To purchase your tickets in advance go to 
