Gerry Auger found inspiration in what would be considered an odd place for a representative of a party that wants to challenge the status quo.
“Justin Trudeau’s comments were probably the most impactful. … It’s OK to protest, but if you wanted to make change you had to do it in the square of exchanging ideas and debate and the political process. And he’s not wrong,” said the bilingual financial adviser and product specialist.
With those words from the Liberal prime minister, Auger has put his name forward as the Ontario Party candidate for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte (BSOM).
The four-year-old Ontario Party espouses “historic Canadian values of freedom, family and faith,” and finds support from those disenchanted with government regulations imposed during the pandemic.
“At my core, I’m probably more of a minister than anything and my career path has always been in the context of living out my faith appropriately and respectfully of others,” said the 55-year-old father of two grown children.
Unhappy with Trudeau’s leadership and, in turn, that of Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford, Auger says he’s prepared to draw the line and is escalating his interest in politics.
A motivating factor, he said, was seeing people lose their jobs over medical choices made through what he calls informed consent.
“Informed consent has been thrown out right now and we are to subject ourselves through the dictates of a medical authority that has zero context with our individual medical situations,” said Auger, who originally hails from North Bay. “They’ve handcuffed our medical practitioners and caused our medical practitioners to advise and diagnose through policies.”
Auger found the information around vaccination “insufficient” and felt having the COVID-19 vaccine could compromise his health and put his life at risk. In November 2020, he suffered a heart attack, requiring the insertion of three stents.
When he contracted COVID-19, his oxygenation levels were compromised and he felt doctors were prevented from providing what he needed, so he treated himself. Cobbling together a cocktail of medications and vitamins, Auger “self-medicated” — a process through which he claims success.
“And within a half-hour my breathing cleared up and opened up and by the end of the day my oxygenation was completely restored,” he said.
Health Canada has warned against using this approach, indicating that poison centres have seen an increase in reports of some of the medication Auger said he used, which is not authorized for this use.
Auger argues they’ve all been documented safe for use for human consumption and says his experience led him to question the established approach in Canada, calling it a “huge fraud.”
The Ontario Party, he added, wants an investigation and inquiry on the management of COVID-19.
“It’s a civil society. You let that other person be if they’re not causing you harm,” Auger said. “And that’s not being respected and done. It’s a violent takeover of our freedoms in Canada.”
Ontario residents head to the polls on June 2.
