Editor's note: BarrieToday is running profile stories on mayoral candidates as well as council seats in each of the city's 10 wards. For more election coverage, visit our 2022 municipal election page by clicking here, where you can also find other election news.
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Barrie residents may not know him by name, but they've certainly seen a lot of him in the news. Literally.
Most notably known for wearing colourful thongs at protests against public-health measures during lockdown, Weldon Hachey has entered the race to become the city's next mayor, bringing the field to seven candidates.
Hachey says a BBC documentary from years ago called How Big Oil Conquered the World helped with his decision.
“Through that I have seen the manipulation from the globalist elites and their influence and infiltration into our government and every area that they can to expand their empires off the sweat of our people,” Hachey told BarrieToday.
Hachey says watching how the pandemic unfolded and what he believed to be a government he couldn’t trust only enforced his desire to enter the municipal race.
“Every suspicion I have had is coming to light from the real science and experts from around the world,” he said.
Hachey, 52, has lived in Barrie for four years and has never ran for public office, but says he was vice-president of the Pine Beach Land Owners Association and believes he has “already become well known and popular.”
“I ran a business with many employees over the years. I’ve been involved with the community in the past,” he said. “My heart is in the proper place and I will do what’s best by listening to the issues and prioritize to get them all done as best can be.”
Hachey became a well-known figure as the thong-wearing man who participated in provincial protests against lockdown measures over the last two years. He says he began wearing a thong with an upside-down Canadian flag in early 2020 when, as he says, Premier Doug Ford "banned the sale of clothing and stated they were non-essential.”
The provincial government put a halt to indoor shopping at many stores, but curbside pick-up and online options were allowed.
Hachey says of wearing the thong at protest: “It was political satire which went viral and I have been contacted by Canadians from all over asking me to not stop.
“People need a leader who is transparent and willing to die for the rights and freedoms of Canadians," he added. "I have proven that by spending all winter in Ottawa in minus-30 (temperatures) in a thong. Love it or not, it’s a show to the people I love that I will do what’s needed to bring back the greatness we have slowly had taken away for greed.”
When asked what he believed was the most important issue facing Barrie residents in the upcoming municipal election and over the next four years, Hachey says it's the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) interference with government.
“By far the largest concern for any Canadian is the misuse of tax dollars and the WEF infiltration into our government, lack of transparency and disregard for the low income of this country,” Hachey says. “Tax-funded legacy media who only tell what they are told they can report. Why is it for nearly three years every Saturday across Canada the people have had rallies across Canada and, for that matter, around the world? Will you report that? How about the fact that the WEF has publicly stated that over 50 per cent of our government works for them.”
When asked about the city’s expected population boom and how he would handle intensification if elected mayor, Hachey says he believes there's enough space worldwide for everyone.
“Importation and outsourcing may reduce cost, but take away jobs and increase the so-called 'carbon footprint' they claimed about without showing the 'science.' Again, transparency and accountability are key to a healthy community and economy,” Hachey said.
The 2022 Barrie municipal election is on Oct. 24.
Hachey's opponents for the mayor's seat currently include Andrew Gordon, Rob Haverson, Gerry Marshall, Mike McCann, Alex Nuttall, and Barry Ward. Incumbent Jeff Lehman has said he will not seek re-election after three terms as mayor.
Nominations close Friday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. for the city election, which will elect the next mayor, 10 city councillors and school board trustees.
