Coun. Mason Ainsworth intends to run for the federal Conservative nomination in Simcoe North.
Ainsworth, who currently represents Ward 3 on Orillia city council, told OrilliaMatters he is in the process of filling out the nomination package.
“It’s always been a passion of mine to serve the public and help them out with issues, and this is a way for me to do that on a larger scale,” he said. “It’s about that larger reach and being able to have an impact on our riding and across the country.”
Because of the minority government and the uncertainty of when an election will be called, it’s unclear when a nomination meeting will be held in Simcoe North to select a candidate.
If Ainsworth secures the nomination and a federal election is called while he’s still on city council, he said he would continue to serve on council until the federal campaign starts, at which point he would take an unpaid leave of absence to focus on the campaign. If he were to lose the race for MP, he would return to council.
“I have very much enjoyed my time on city council and continue to enjoy my time on city council, and I will continue to be approachable, accountable and hard working into the future,” he said, adding he has informed council that he will be seeking the Conservative nomination.
Ainsworth, 28, noted he has been helping to bring people’s issues forward since high school, when he served on student council at Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School. His political interests continued during his time at Lakehead University and again when he was elected to city council in 2014.
A move to federal politics would mean a move to party politics. That’s not something that’s seen at the municipal level, but Ainsworth’s political leanings have never been a secret.
“I’ve always voted Conservative and I’ve always thought in regards to conservative policies,” he said. “A lot of people would classify me as a fiscal conservative on city council.”
Regarding the process of applying for the federal nomination, he said, “I am unable to provide specific details as the application package is a confidential document, but I can tell you that there are several checks and balances to vet candidates prior to any approvals.
“Once an application is approved, candidates are then required to undergo an interview process,” he said. “If you get through all of that successfully, then you are approved to run as a candidate in the nomination process.”
Ainsworth said he will go into more detail about a platform if he is approved as a candidate for the nomination.
Bruce Stanton, the current MP for Simcoe North, earlier announced he would not be seeking re-election.
