Stefan Klietsch

Stefan Klietsch of Renfrew is running for member of Parliament of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke for the third time. He previously ran as the Libertarian Party of Canada candidate for the riding in 2019 and as the Green Party of Canada candidate in 2015. He unsuccessfully sought the Green Party of Ontario candidate nomination in 2018.

Klietsch was raised in his family home outside of Renfrew. After completing elementary and high school education in Renfrew, he acquired an honours bachelor of political science from the University of Ottawa. He also has a certificate in security, technology, and economics policy from the same university's Professional Development Institute. The 30-year-old currently works as a sustainability intern for the Ottawa Peace and Environment Resource Centre, living in the city but actively cultivating his hometown roots.

He has written dozens of letters to the editor to Renfrew County newspapers advocating on a diversity of policy and political issues of the day.

I am building a movement in favour of a new Renfrew County and new Canada that are both egalitarian and competitive. Our democracy and economy are neither fully accountable nor fully competitive; they protect established interests that drain upon Canadian well-being.

I believe that Canadian well-being fundamentally depends on the nurturing of a more intellectually-minded culture in our political class. The role of a Member of Parliament is to be a watchdog upon government legislation and budgeting, and an objective and vigilant MP will be more likely to pass legislation that saves human lives rather than pass legislation that kills or otherwise harms people. I believe that I am objective and principled enough to serve in this role.

I also have a very special fondness for Renfrew County, even if I currently live outside of it. Many Renfrew County residents are special to me and have contributed to my privileged quality of life.

Despite my youth, I actually have more political experience than most of the candidates, and more diverse political experience than all of the other candidates. My political experience includes the following:

2020 Liberal Party of Ontario Leadership Election Delegate for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

2019 Libertarian Party of Canada Candidate for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

2018 Deputy Leader Contestant for Green Party of Ontario

2018 Weekend volunteering on Mike Schreiner's successful election campaign

2018 Green Party of Ontario Nomination Contestant for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

2016 Young Greens of Canada Co-Chair Contestant

2015 Green Party of Canada Candidate for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

Volunteering on 8 Green Party candidates' campaigns from 2012 to 2018, including two star election candidates

2014: Co-Chair of the University of Ottawa Young Greens

2013 to 2017: Passing of many policy motions by the Green party of Canada and more especially Green party of Ontario

2012-2014: Part-time volunteer for MP Elizabeth May's Office

My policies attempt to represent Canadians whose interests are under-represented by our existing political and economic institutions. The incumbents in economic and political power must face increased accountability and competitiveness. My policies include the following:

• Changing the Constitution of Canada to allow citizens to petition to table bills in Parliament;

• Opposing the above-ground nuclear waste dump proposed near Chalk River;

• Restricting corporate income taxation to above-average corporate profits;

• Increasing the number of MPs for more direct and localized riding representation, while decreasing MPs' salaries;

• Abolishing middle-class income taxes in favour of a higher GST;

• Unveiling the secrecy over the tax-draining Canada-China investment treaty;

• Regulation and taxation of recreational drugs to eliminate the dangerous black market;

• Regulation and taxation of paid plasma and organ donations;

• Taxation of commercial animal slaughter to minimize animal suffering;

• Eliminating all subsidies for political parties;

• Providing cash incentives for new vaccinations; and

• Providing cash incentives to reward voter turnout.