By Emily Stonehouse

“We’re not splitting the right vote,” said Jacquie Baker, the Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Brock representative for the New Blue Party. “We’re the only Conservative Party.”

Formed in 2020 by Jim Karahalios, the New Blue Party aims to return to the original roots of conservative voters. “Our priority is to return accountability to our government,” said Baker.

Baker has recently moved to Haliburton County, and had been a long time Conservative voter. But she felt the current PCs were treading too close to the centrist line, and believes in the mandates aligned further right. “We had no home in the Conservative Party,” she said. “They had moved so far left, and away from our original priorities.”

She noted that the majority of their supporters are “disgruntled PC members,” and their movement is starting to grow; with the New Blues currently sitting as the fifth largest political party in Ontario. “The PCs are just Liberals in blue suits,” she said.

One of the main objectives for the New Blue party is to cut the carbon tax. The carbon levy was introduced in Ontario in 2019, and is designed to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change across the province. The incentive is designed to encourage producers to switch from fossil fuel-based energy sources, to renewable alternatives in an effort to aid in environmental initiatives. There is also a tax-free Canada Carbon Rebate available to eligible individuals and families offset the cost of the federal pollution pricing.

“We want to axe the carbon tax,” said Baker. “By axing that, we hope to draw manufacturers back to the province.”

Baker noted that they also hope to cut the HST from 13, down to 10 per cent, with a long-term goal of removing the tax altogether across Ontario.

While the New Blue did not receive any seats in the last election, Baker believes they are just gaining momentum. “I’ll be shocked if we don’t win seats this time,” she said.