Incumbent since 1990: Ted Arnott (Progressive Conservative)
Nominated/registered candidates:
Ted Arnott (Progressive Conservative)
Michael Carlucci (New Democrat)
Jason Cousineau (Libertarian)
David Rodgers (Green)
Mitch Sproule (Freedom)
Dan Zister (Liberal)
Candidate survey responses:
(NOTE: Some responses exceeded word limits and have been truncated at that point. Other than that, all responses have been posted unedited.)
How long have you lived in the riding? (max. 20 words)
Ted Arnott: I am a lifelong resident of Wellington County. My family and I have lived in Fergus since 1999.
Michael Carlucci: I moved into the riding from Brampton in 2002, and have lived in Georgetown ever since.
David Rodgers: I've lived in Wellington-Halton Hills for more than 30 years.
What’s your favourite thing about the riding? (max. 30 words)
TA: With friendly, caring and vibrant towns alongside pastoral country-side, our Riding is one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas of the province. Most of all, I love our people.
MC: I really love that, even though it is growing, the riding still has that feeling of a friendly small community. Neighbours look out for one another.
DR: Mill Creek, a cold-water stream flowing through Puslinch Township, which has been maintained and enhanced through the commitment and follow through of local citizens, industry and government.
What was your last full-time job before entering politics, for how long did you hold it and when did you leave? (max. 40 words)
TA:From 1987 to 1990, I was Executive Assistant to Jack Johnson, MPP for Wellington. After his retirement in 1990, I was honoured to be elected as his successor.
MC: My last full-time job was the summer of 2013, working as a landscaper and a drywaller's assistant, working in Hillsburgh, Georgetown, and all around the riding. I left in August for school to pursue my passion for the law.
DR: This is my first attempt at entering politics and I've retained my day job as an independent environmental consultant. Before that, I was a Principal Scientist with Kinectrics, a successor to Ontario Hydro Research Division.
Aside from family, work, and politics, what occupies your time? (max. 50 words)
TA: Being an MPP is more a calling than a career. Whatever free time I have, I try to spend with my family. My wife Lisa and I have three active teenage sons. When we get the chance, we enjoy time together at Lisa's family's cottage near Arnstein, Ontario.
MC: I am a big fan of exploring our great country, especially Ontario where we have so much secret natural beauty. I am also a big sports fanatic, soccer and hockey in particular. I dabble in genealogy and spend a lot of time volunteering.
DR: I work with the Friends of Mill Creek, a volunteer, community-based organization dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the Mill Creek watershed. I'm an active contributor to the Township newsletter, The Puslinch Pioneer, and have coached local soccer and basketball teams, and judged middle and high school science fairs.
Why did you choose to run for your particular party? (max. 75 words)
TA: I believe government can be a source of good in society, but it can't solve every problem. And it must be limited to what we can collectively afford. We have an obligation to those who are in need or are disadvantaged somehow through no fault of their own. I believe in "community conservatism," meaning building strong communities with shared values, and with a vision of a better future for our children and grandchildren.
MC: I believe that youth are our future and they need investment. Investment in their education and employment now means economic prosperity for all of us in the future. There are a lot of young families and youth in our riding who need that message heard, and it is clear that the other parties are not listening. The NDP is the right party to allow me to fight for our future.
DR: I'm running for the Green Party's because I support their commitment to political integrity and their vision and of a sustainable future for Ontario and Canada. I'm especially dedicated to helping Ontario maintain and extend its leading role in the environmental sciences and in growing the green economy. As a father, I'm also concerned that my children and their generation have the opportunity to fully realize their potential.
2011 results:
Ted Arnott (Progressive Conservative): 23,495
Moya Johnson (Liberal): 11,334
Dale Hamilton (New Democrat): 6,106
Raymond Dartsch (Green): 1,309
