Bob Doiron wants to seize the opportunity to become a stronger voice for city residents.
The Liberal party candidate in the District 11 byelection first entered the political world when he was elected to Charlottetown city council three years ago in 2014.
Wanting to “make a difference,” Doiron said that since getting a taste for municipal politics he has wanted to create greater change on the provincial level.
“I wanted to ask how do these decisions get made and I wanted to be at the table when the decisions are made. When this opportunity presented itself, it was an opportunity to go further in the political world and see if I can make some change,” said Doiron, who was vocal on city council issues such as paving, hiring practices and pesticide fees.
“When you jump into provincial politics, it’s a whole bigger picture. It just opens up a whole new book of opportunities and the ability to get in, say my piece and hopefully make District 11 a better place to live.”
Doiron, who was chairman of the city’s environment and sustainability committee and economic development, tourism arts and culture committee, is a lifelong resident of Charlottetown and has volunteered with various teams in the Sherwood-Parkdale’s baseball, hockey and soccer associations.He has been married to his wife, Lori, for 30 years and together the two have three children and two grandchildren.Doiron, a graduate of the Atlantic Police Academy, has also been working at UPEI for nearly as long as his marriage. Today, he serves as a corporal with UPEI’s security police department and cited safety concerns as being part of the reason he wanted to enter politics.
He has specifically pointed to relocating the Allen Street propane tanks away from residences and businesses as something he’d like to achieve, while also acknowledging an overall need to adapt to new development in the area.
“All of that new development brings new concerns,” said Doiron, pointing to a need for more seniors housing and affordable housing in the district. “I’d like to get in and work towards those.”
With Doiron running for the party currently in government, he said he’s heard a number of ideas from residents during the campaign trail on how to improve services.
“I’ve talked to a number of nurses who are on the front lines every day, and they’re giving me lots of information on how we can improve,” said Doiron, who mentioned a need for long-term nursing beds in the district.
Candidate profiles
This is the first of four profiles of candidates for the District 11 byelection to be held on Nov. 27.
NDP Party - Mike Redmond profile
Green Party - Hanna Bell profile
PC Party - Melissa Hilton profile
Liberal Party - Bob Doiron profile
For an overview of the issues in District 11, watch for The Guardian’s weekend report on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Election day for the provincial electoral District 11, vacated by Doug Currie, is Monday, Nov. 27.
About Bob Doiron
- - Doiron is a lifelong resident of Charlottetown and lives in Sherwood with his wife, Lori. The couple has three children and two grandchildren.
- - Doiron attended UPEI and is a graduate of Holland College’s Atlantic Police Academy. He is a corporal in UPEI’s security police department.
- - Doiron is Charlottetown’s councillor for Ward 6 and is currently on leave for the byelection campaign. He was chairman of the city’s environment and sustainability committee as well as chairman of the economic development, tourism, arts and culture committee.
- - Doiron has volunteered with local baseball, hockey and soccer associations.
Doiron said he has also heard concerns about last year’s plebiscite on proportional representation and that he’s glad the province has committed to a referendum on the issue during the next election.
He says many in the district were pleased with the work done by former MLA Doug Currie.
“People were genuinely happy with Mr. Currie, he had some strong portfolios where he worked hard,” said Doiron. “I’m going to try and work as hard as he did. I just ask for (residents’) support.”
