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.
ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY 11 a.m. at the Orléans Cenotaph beside the Orléans Legion Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek Drive. Sandwiches and desserts following the ceremony inside the Legion.
OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, Tobasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds.
SDBC TAPROOM CONCERT SERIES presents East Coast Experience live and in concert from 7 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Advance tickets $25 available at 
CRAFT AND BAKE SALE from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Hobbs Seniors Club, 109 Larch Cres. (off Champlain Street).
