The Federal Election takes place this Monday.
Nathan Hawkins is the local candidate for the Green Party but he’s not your typical career politician.
Hawkins explains what concerns motivated him to become a candidate for Haldimand–Norfolk and why he wants to make a difference.
Hawkins is running a zero-dollar campaign—no signs, no paid media, no ads.
His campaign is entirely based on direct, personal contact with voters in Norfolk County.
With this grassroots approach, he aims to raise awareness about environmental damage, the loss of farmland, and the broader concerns surrounding how politics are currently run in Canada.
Nate grew up on his family’s dairy farm, so he understands first-hand the fears that come with industrial development encroaching on agricultural land.
He’s strongly opposed to developments like Amazon’s proposed warehouse in Blair and the Wellmont land assembly, which could see 770 acres of farmland converted to industrial use.
That was Nate explaining his commitment to protecting the rural character of Haldimand–Norfolk.
As a Green Party candidate, Hawkins maintains a strong environmental focus, with key goals including clean water, eco-friendly farming, and reducing pollution.
He shared that many locals have expressed serious concerns about plastic pollution in Lake Erie. He wants to spearhead a robust cross-border initiative to clean up shared lakes in collaboration with the United States.
But for Hawkins, it’s not just about environmentalism or sticking rigidly to one party’s platform—he believes real change comes from working together across party lines.
Hawkins is also passionate about green energy and innovative solutions.
He supports Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a clean and reliable energy source for rural communities. He’s inspired by the greenhouse farming models used in Essex County and wants to encourage more technological innovation in agriculture, including the use of robotics for harvesting.
He’s been actively engaging with the community—visiting local businesses, farmers’ markets, schools, and farms. Recently, he spoke at Fanshawe College to connect with younger voters and discuss the future of sustainable farming.
The foundation of Hawkins’ campaign is built on values like independence, sustainability, clean energy, and local decision-making. He emphasizes that he’s not in politics for power or money—he simply cares deeply about his community and his country.
Written by: Georgia Chambers