David Epp seeks the Conservative nomination for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
A third-generation tomato farmer from Leamington, Ont. is stepping away from the family farm to pursue a position with the federal Conservatives.
David Epp, owner and operator of Lycoland Farms Ltd., is among the four candidates vying for the Conservative nomination and the chance to represent Chatham-Kent-Leamington as a MP in the House of Commons after next year’s federal election.
After 12 years in office, current Conservative MP Dave Van Kesteren announced in January that this term would be his last.
A lifetime of experience, paired with good timing, factored into Epp’s decision to enter politics.
“I’ve been very active locally, provincially and internationally in some capacity over the years,” Epp, who is in Halifax, N.S., for the Conservative Party’s national convention, told Farms.com today.
“I’m at the point where my brother and nephew can take over the day-to-day operations on the farm and my four daughters are all busy making their own futures. The timing works, and I always enjoy the challenge of representing people.”
His served as an executive member on the board of Agricorp for seven years and as a regional representative for Ontario and Quebec with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Epp has served on many boards away from the farm as well.
He is the vice-chair of the Chatham-Kent-Leamington Conservative Electoral District Association and served a four-year term on the Municipality of Leamington Committee of Adjustment, for example.
Representing various organizations has provided Epp with the tools necessary to be successful in Ottawa, he said.
In ag, “I’ve spent a good portion of my adulthood negotiating contracts on behalf of the people I represent and the people who have elected me into those positions,” he said. “I also represent our customers, and they need to do well for everyone in the industry to succeed.”
A position with the federal Conservative party would mean a focus on national issues and strategies.
But local issues impacting the people of Chatham-Kent-Leamington would not be left on the back burner, Epp said.
“We have a vast area of Canada’s most productive farmland which includes farmers, processors and other (aspects) of the supply chain,” he said. “We’re right on the American border, so trade becomes a big issue for businesses in the area.
“Necause of our climate, tourism is an area that’s growing and might need more focus. We also have a growing population of seniors, which could be an area of potential economic growth with affordable seniors’ care.”
The other candidates seeking the Conservative nomination are Mike Grail, a local Tim Horton’s franchisee, Toyin Crandell, a business owner and finance management coach, and David VanDamme, a current Chatham-Kent councilor.
David Epp photo